What Is Microfiction?

What is microfiction?

Microfiction is fiction at its most compressed. While a traditional short story might run to several thousand words, microfiction tells a complete story in a fraction of that length. Some pieces clock in at under 100 words, and a few squeeze an entire narrative into just 50, though definitions vary and some publications consider anything under 300 words to qualify.

The form has roots in earlier experimental writing, but gained momentum in the UK through writing groups, competitions and online communities. Literary magazines increasingly accept submissions in this format, and competitions like the Bath Flash Fiction Award have helped raise its profile. For writers looking to practise their craft or experiment with new ideas, it offers a useful proving ground.

Story Starter Generator

Get a unique story prompt tailored to your preferred genre, mood and themes.

Try our Story Starter Generator free, here on this site →

How microfiction differs from flash fiction

The terms flash fiction and microfiction are sometimes used interchangeably, which can cause confusion. In practice, flash fiction tends to refer to stories of up to around 1,000 words, while microfiction usually means something shorter still.

There are no fixed rules here. Different competitions, magazines and writing communities set their own word limits. You might see microfiction defined as anything under 300 words, or as strictly under 100. The label matters less than what the piece achieves within its constraints.

What both forms share is an emphasis on economy. Every word has to pull its weight. There is no room for lengthy descriptions or gradual character development. The story must land quickly and leave an impression.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Writing microfiction

A piece of microfiction still needs the basic elements of storytelling. Readers generally expect some form of character, conflict and resolution, even if these are only hinted at rather than spelled out.

Many writers find it helpful to think of microfiction as a snapshot rather than a full narrative. You might capture a single moment that implies a larger story, or use dialogue alone to suggest what came before and what might follow.

Common approaches include:

• Starting as late in the story as possible
• Focusing on one character in one moment
• Using an unexpected final line to reframe everything that came before
• Leaving space for the reader to fill in gaps

Editing is where much of the real work happens. A first draft might run to 200 words before being cut back to 80. Writers often find that removing a sentence strengthens the piece rather than weakening it.

Where to find and submit microfiction

Several literary magazines publish microfiction regularly. Journals such as Flash Fiction Online and SmokeLong Quarterly accept short form submissions and can be worth exploring if you want to see what others are producing. UK writers might also look at Reflex Fiction or the National Flash Fiction Day anthology.

Writing groups and workshops often use microfiction exercises as warm ups or standalone challenges. Local writing groups across the country welcome new members, and many run regular short form challenges.

Social media has also become a venue for very short fiction, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where hashtags like #MicroFiction and #FlashFiction have active communities. Some writers post stories of a few sentences directly to their feeds, treating the character limit as a creative constraint.

For those interested in entering competitions, prize funds and entry requirements vary widely. It is worth reading the specific guidelines for each opportunity, as word counts and themes differ from one to the next.

Microfiction will not suit every writer or every story. But for those drawn to brevity and precision, it rewards the effort of making each word count.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Story Starter Generator lets you get a unique story prompt tailored to your preferred genre, mood and themes. Try it now →