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Very Short Stories: 300 Bite-Size Works of Fiction
CREATIVE FICTION THAT FITS ON A POST-IT BUT CAN MOVE READERS WITH POWERFUL TALES OF LOVE, LIFE, DEATH, AND EVERYDAY LIFE
In this one-of-a-kind collection, author Sean Hill has crafted hundreds of engaging stories that conjure an entire novel in just a sentence or two. Sometimes sad, often humorous and always creative, these tales touch on a wide range of life experiences from romance and family to death and sex.
Nana rocked in her old wooden rocking chair. “Timmy, you have always been my favorite,” she said. He looked at her. “Nana, I’m Bobby.”
Read your diary, discovered your secret. I thought I loved you, but now I’m not sure. Don’t know what to do, you look so human.
Clowning was Daryl’s profession, cooking was his passion. Stella thought he was perfect. She liked to laugh and never learned to cook.
Alex bought Sharon a ring for Valentine’s Day, which she sold to buy the gun that stopped him from loving her.
In 2009, Sean Hill combined his love of writing and technology by creating @VeryShortStory, a Twitter feed where he interacts with his readers and shares his 140-character stories.
In this one-of-a-kind collection, author Sean Hill has crafted hundreds of engaging stories that conjure an entire novel in just a sentence or two. Sometimes sad, often humorous and always creative, these tales touch on a wide range of life experiences from romance and family to death and sex.
Nana rocked in her old wooden rocking chair. “Timmy, you have always been my favorite,” she said. He looked at her. “Nana, I’m Bobby.”
Read your diary, discovered your secret. I thought I loved you, but now I’m not sure. Don’t know what to do, you look so human.
Clowning was Daryl’s profession, cooking was his passion. Stella thought he was perfect. She liked to laugh and never learned to cook.
Alex bought Sharon a ring for Valentine’s Day, which she sold to buy the gun that stopped him from loving her.
In 2009, Sean Hill combined his love of writing and technology by creating @VeryShortStory, a Twitter feed where he interacts with his readers and shares his 140-character stories.
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
73 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Sean Hill
39 books7 followersSean Hill was over exposed to a potent combination of Twilight Zone and Monty Python as a child. This lead him down a dark path from which he never fully recovered and bound him with a passion to story telling. He has spent much of his life combining creativity with work. Starting at age 19, he designed and programmed award winning video games until he discovered improvisation where ideas could be expressed as fast as they could be thought.
He is the Founder of The Hideout Theatre in Austin, Texas where he helped people expand their creativity through the study of improv comedy, story telling, and the art of creating in the moment. In 2009, Sean combined his love of writing and technology by creating @VeryShortStory, a Twitter feed where he interacts with his readers and creates 140 character stories.
When not writing fiction, Sean provides creativity consulting services for clients who need to expand the creativity and collaboration skills of their staff.
Sean lives happily in Austin, Texas with his wife, four children, and a lot of dogs. He can often be found performing improv comedy around town with his friends.
He is the Founder of The Hideout Theatre in Austin, Texas where he helped people expand their creativity through the study of improv comedy, story telling, and the art of creating in the moment. In 2009, Sean combined his love of writing and technology by creating @VeryShortStory, a Twitter feed where he interacts with his readers and creates 140 character stories.
When not writing fiction, Sean provides creativity consulting services for clients who need to expand the creativity and collaboration skills of their staff.
Sean lives happily in Austin, Texas with his wife, four children, and a lot of dogs. He can often be found performing improv comedy around town with his friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 24, 2017
کتابسرای نیک به تازگی این کتاب از شان هیل را با ترجمهی امیرحسین میرزائیان با نام «داستانهای یک لقمهای» منتشر کرده که نویسنده در شش بخشِ 1) روابط و آدمها 2) خانواده 3) زندگی 4)کار 5) مرگ 6)دنیاهای دیگر به نوشتن مینیمالهایی پرداخته است با توجه به مقدمهای که در ابتدای همین کتاب آمده از تعداد کارکترهای توئیتری الهام گرفته شده و نویسنده اسم این بازی با کلماتش را هم نوعی رفع «انسداد ذهنی نویسنده» میداند. اولین قسمت از سهگانهی ریچارد لینکلیتر (befor sunrise) را به خاطر بیاورید، درست آن جایی که مردِ تنهایی سیگار برلب و پریشان کنار رودخانه روی سنگها لم داده است و دورُبَرش را کاغذهای چروک و چاله گرفته، با دیدن سلین و جسی از دل سیاهی بیرون میآید چند کلمه از دو جوان طلب میکند و با آنها شعر بنویسد(یادتان آمد؟) به نظر میرسد که شکلگیری هر قصهی مینیمال در ذهن شان هیل به همین شیوه توسط کمکهای فالوران توئیتر و فیسبوکش جرقه زده.
کتاب انبوهی از قصههای خیلی خوب، خوب، متوسط، ضعیف و فاقد معیارهای قصه بودن است. موقع خواندن این کتاب جملهای در ذهنم آمد که توئیتش کردم: «تو بدترین روزها و بدترین احوالات و بدترین داستانها و بدترین رابطهها و رفاقتها و بدترین زندگیهام میشه چیزای خوب دید. همینه که قشنگه.» نه؟
کتاب انبوهی از قصههای خیلی خوب، خوب، متوسط، ضعیف و فاقد معیارهای قصه بودن است. موقع خواندن این کتاب جملهای در ذهنم آمد که توئیتش کردم: «تو بدترین روزها و بدترین احوالات و بدترین داستانها و بدترین رابطهها و رفاقتها و بدترین زندگیهام میشه چیزای خوب دید. همینه که قشنگه.» نه؟
July 27, 2025
Fun, funny, light-hearted and witty.
A classic bathroom book or perfect as a conversation-starter or casual reading for houseguests.
Many stories were okay but some were truly remarkable.
In the chapter on love, I wish there was more queer representation
These were some of my favourite stories:
- "Firetruck!" yelled five-year-old Billy. His mom had told him his dad was a fireman. When he got older he set fires, hoping to meet Dad.
-Suzy wasn't sure why she liked Trey. He didn't have much money and wasn't good looking. Maybe the fact he loved her counted for something.
-Called my dad to let him know my wife, Janice, was gone. "What happened?" asked my dad. "My fault," I said, "forgot to lock the door."
-Clowning was Daryl's profession, cooking was his passion. Stella thought he was perfect. She liked to laugh and never learned to cook.
-Sheila liked Ken in the same way she liked a Filet-O-Fish sandwich when she was thinking of lobster. He was right here, right now.
-I used my second wish to undo the first. Your body sprang back to life. The third wish I'm keeping, in case you get out of line again.
-Tired of being wanted for her looks, Kim shaved her head before the blind date. Ted dressed like a tramp, hiding his wealth. Both ran.
-After our date, we went home and found your place had been robbed. It made me feel bad about all the times I thought about robbing you.
-You asked for flowers and I brought flowers. You asked for dancing and I danced. I asked for your love and you gave back the flowers.
-The fire felt good. It drove away the thoughts of you as it caressed my skin. I hoped there was no afterlife from which to remember you.
-Psst! It's me...I mean you, from the future. Don't worry, it works out. You'll be wrongly convicted but meet your true love in prison.
-I held her pretty hand, intertwining my fingers with hers. Enjoying the moment, then putting it with the rest in the freezer.
-Mark's foot had swollen to twice its normal size. His health insurance company was sympathetic, they sent him larger shoes.
A classic bathroom book or perfect as a conversation-starter or casual reading for houseguests.
Many stories were okay but some were truly remarkable.
In the chapter on love, I wish there was more queer representation
These were some of my favourite stories:
- "Firetruck!" yelled five-year-old Billy. His mom had told him his dad was a fireman. When he got older he set fires, hoping to meet Dad.
-Suzy wasn't sure why she liked Trey. He didn't have much money and wasn't good looking. Maybe the fact he loved her counted for something.
-Called my dad to let him know my wife, Janice, was gone. "What happened?" asked my dad. "My fault," I said, "forgot to lock the door."
-Clowning was Daryl's profession, cooking was his passion. Stella thought he was perfect. She liked to laugh and never learned to cook.
-Sheila liked Ken in the same way she liked a Filet-O-Fish sandwich when she was thinking of lobster. He was right here, right now.
-I used my second wish to undo the first. Your body sprang back to life. The third wish I'm keeping, in case you get out of line again.
-Tired of being wanted for her looks, Kim shaved her head before the blind date. Ted dressed like a tramp, hiding his wealth. Both ran.
-After our date, we went home and found your place had been robbed. It made me feel bad about all the times I thought about robbing you.
-You asked for flowers and I brought flowers. You asked for dancing and I danced. I asked for your love and you gave back the flowers.
-The fire felt good. It drove away the thoughts of you as it caressed my skin. I hoped there was no afterlife from which to remember you.
-Psst! It's me...I mean you, from the future. Don't worry, it works out. You'll be wrongly convicted but meet your true love in prison.
-I held her pretty hand, intertwining my fingers with hers. Enjoying the moment, then putting it with the rest in the freezer.
-Mark's foot had swollen to twice its normal size. His health insurance company was sympathetic, they sent him larger shoes.
July 3, 2018
All the stories are just a few lines each. Some of them were very funny. It’s a quick read, I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something light.
February 13, 2021
They were twitter stories and I rated by considering that, but there are accounts on twitter who write short fiction stories and I liked them more.
February 6, 2012
All the little 'stories' in this book remind me of the quotes you often find in Reader's Digest and other magazines. Only a few sentences each and categorized in seven sections, you can pick and choose what you want to read at any particular time. I enjoyed this one; 'Perfect for each other, they lived a block apart, but would never meet. They lived in different worlds. His was Facebook, hers was Twitter.' It's a fun read, perfect for when you are waiting in a doctor's office, etc and want to read something quick.
This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.
This post was written for the sponsor who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.
February 18, 2012
I liked this book a lot some of the stories felt a little bit like bad jokes but some were incredibly sweet or sad and made it well worth reading. It inspired me to draw some pictures based on these stories and other micro-fiction. The only thing wrong with it (other than the occasional cheesy joke) was that one of the stories was repeated - I feel like I am owed another story! Luckily he is on twitter and I'm sure I can find an extra one there @VeryShortStory
June 22, 2013
Came across this dude on Twitter and asked my friend to buy it for me. Terrifying how good he is with bite-sized stories. The stories cover from something basic like family to something sexy like sex.
"Alex bought Sharon a ring for Valentine's Day, which she sold to buy the gun that stopped him from loving her."
"Alex bought Sharon a ring for Valentine's Day, which she sold to buy the gun that stopped him from loving her."
December 30, 2019
It's amazing how much you can say in 140 characters. The few sentences in a story often have more depth than 500-page novels. This is definitely one of the books I'll keep coming back to.
January 26, 2024
33% Funny
33% Astonishing
33% Deep
1% makes you think "why didn't I think of that?"
33% Astonishing
33% Deep
1% makes you think "why didn't I think of that?"
April 9, 2022
I'm not sure I read this correctly. As the book is an anthology of very short fiction stories, trying to read all of them in one shot is probably too much of a disservice to each piece. However, I think most people will read this book in one or two sittings. So that's how I'll review the book.
The book is a cross between poetry and prose. The short format forces the economy of words common in poetry. However, the focus is on story over rhythm which is common in prose. The result is that a lot of stories are the same. The first couple of times you chuckle at the "twist" in the story. The tenth time you are tired. By the end you are just reading words.
I think there is something to this theme though. This is a fantastic everyday snack, not a meal. You'd be dense to try to eat grapes as a meal. You'd be happy to eat a few grapes a day. The same goes for these stories. This book is better suited for a five-minute random read than as a book. That's because this style is in the streaming style of Internet literature, not the batch style of older literature. Whether or be Wordle, or Very Short Stories, or Ride the News, I am seeing a new way to ingest art. That ingestion is smaller and faster and more frequent. It is as good as the big thing (the Sunday crossword, the novel, the longform documentary). It's just different. Crossing over is too difficult: what works for appetizer art does not translate to main dish art, and vice versa.
Let me be very clear: appetizer art is not "easier" or "less" than main dish art. Both are fantastic. Packaging one as the other is where the failure occurs. This book attempts to package a few hundred of the same appetizer as a main course. That doesn't work.
The second star is because this book is still useful as a conversation piece.
The book is a cross between poetry and prose. The short format forces the economy of words common in poetry. However, the focus is on story over rhythm which is common in prose. The result is that a lot of stories are the same. The first couple of times you chuckle at the "twist" in the story. The tenth time you are tired. By the end you are just reading words.
I think there is something to this theme though. This is a fantastic everyday snack, not a meal. You'd be dense to try to eat grapes as a meal. You'd be happy to eat a few grapes a day. The same goes for these stories. This book is better suited for a five-minute random read than as a book. That's because this style is in the streaming style of Internet literature, not the batch style of older literature. Whether or be Wordle, or Very Short Stories, or Ride the News, I am seeing a new way to ingest art. That ingestion is smaller and faster and more frequent. It is as good as the big thing (the Sunday crossword, the novel, the longform documentary). It's just different. Crossing over is too difficult: what works for appetizer art does not translate to main dish art, and vice versa.
Let me be very clear: appetizer art is not "easier" or "less" than main dish art. Both are fantastic. Packaging one as the other is where the failure occurs. This book attempts to package a few hundred of the same appetizer as a main course. That doesn't work.
The second star is because this book is still useful as a conversation piece.
February 15, 2023
These were disappointing, but it’s my fault for not reading the blurb or visiting the author’s Twitter feed before grabbing the book. I was looking for tiny gems of perfectly polished prose. Instead they’re sort of cutesy, sort of kitschy, fairly repetitive little “gotcha” moments. Almost every one has a twist or catch, and they become repetitive quickly.
November 10, 2017
Some of these are true pearls of minimalistic writing, but there were also plenty that didn't speak to me at all.
Still, it's a great book to put on my living room table at parties, next to some similar novelty books.
Still, it's a great book to put on my living room table at parties, next to some similar novelty books.
January 21, 2021
Ha! I love these little bite size tales! I first encountered tiny stories like these about 11 years ago online. To find that someone has written a book of them was just so exciting! I enjoyed these little stories very much; perfect for commutes.
September 7, 2023
Having a very full life, I've been struggling to find time to read over the past few years so I decided to try this book of flash fiction as I figured I could fit in a story or two in a five or ten-minute gap in my schedule. I very much enjoyed this book with its vast number of stories and twists and turns and the format was just what I needed and I now endeavour to read more flash fiction over the remainder of the year.
People who use Twitter will know how hard it is to get across meaning in very short format so the amount of work that Hill has put into creating stories in so few words is admirable and I commend him.
People who use Twitter will know how hard it is to get across meaning in very short format so the amount of work that Hill has put into creating stories in so few words is admirable and I commend him.
November 13, 2023
What a crazy concept. It works amazing well. The stories are thought-provoking as well as quick reads (obviously)
February 18, 2017
This book sucks. The stories are meaningless and I couldn't complete it. Such a waste of time.
January 26, 2015
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I love "flash fiction" and other forms of really short stories, and I have one compilation in particular that is one of my favorite books. This one didn't work for me. It was written by an improvisor, and he would get suggestions off of twitter, and write stories of less than 100 words.
I'd say that most of the stories, on their own, were good and fun. But when you read a book of them, you start to feel patterns, and they become formulaic. For example Realistic situation - confusing twist - ah, this was not a story about two people like you thought it was. Simple premise - dark twisted ending.
The craft was great - this is a good book to read if you want to start writing stories of less than 100 words. And I'd say it is worth a browse. But it wasn't good to sit and read cover to cover.
I feel bad saying this because the author was a presenter at an improv conference, and I really want to support people who do that... but I have to be honest. Sorry.
I'd say that most of the stories, on their own, were good and fun. But when you read a book of them, you start to feel patterns, and they become formulaic. For example Realistic situation - confusing twist - ah, this was not a story about two people like you thought it was. Simple premise - dark twisted ending.
The craft was great - this is a good book to read if you want to start writing stories of less than 100 words. And I'd say it is worth a browse. But it wasn't good to sit and read cover to cover.
I feel bad saying this because the author was a presenter at an improv conference, and I really want to support people who do that... but I have to be honest. Sorry.
May 18, 2014
This book is a revelation in brevity and concise writing! Not only the concept of SMS sized stories unique and very innovative but the stories even though written in just a sentence or two contain such depth and profoundness which many others cannot achieve even after filling pages after pages! One might think that they'd breeze through this book very quickly but the stories are so deeply moving that you cannot help but to pause for a few minutes and reflect upon every story that you just read and then re-read it again only to find out one more perspective hidden between the words. I feel that this book MUST be read by anyone who enjoys the art of story-telling. I hope Sean Hill comes out with a second volume because I would love another helping of these Bite-Size works of fiction. 5 out of 5 from me!
February 19, 2012
a book for quick-reads and quippy wit-- but sometimes it was obviously a stretch for the author to come up with something in this limited format. i look at this as a kind of exploration of thought and storytelling and something more than a little worthwhile. however, it smacked of being directly attributable to Twitter and so seemed to want for true ingenuity. this book's template for writing these tiny tales can be a fun game or exercise for anyone in a group, pair, or solo much like haiku. originally, i gave it two stars but i have changed that to three for the Good Idea that it is.
February 8, 2012
I adore bite-sized, short fiction collections like this one. And I really enjoyed this one. It's just long enough to get a hint of the larger picture but short enough to leave so much of it to the imagination. Anyone on twitter will appreciate the length of these stories. Anyone not on twitter should still respect the amount of work that can go into finding just the write words to express what you're saying in a short amount of space.
December 28, 2015
3.5 STARS
Exactly what it says on the tin. Some of the stories are good, some of them aren't. Some of them make you think in a good way, some of them make you think, "...Huh?" All in all, a quick, fun read. And since nothing was outstandingly memorable, it'll probably be a quick, fun read again one day.
Exactly what it says on the tin. Some of the stories are good, some of them aren't. Some of them make you think in a good way, some of them make you think, "...Huh?" All in all, a quick, fun read. And since nothing was outstandingly memorable, it'll probably be a quick, fun read again one day.
March 24, 2012
When I first read the piece on the cover, I thought this concept and its author were pure brilliance.
Trying to read the rest of it, I decided it was a novel idea and while these are quality tweets that look impressive in a timeline of advertisements and mundane status updates they don't hold up when separated from that medium. They became immediately inappreciable when made to stand alone.
Trying to read the rest of it, I decided it was a novel idea and while these are quality tweets that look impressive in a timeline of advertisements and mundane status updates they don't hold up when separated from that medium. They became immediately inappreciable when made to stand alone.
August 27, 2013
An interesting read. I don't have much to say as the stories are really very short. Sean had a twitter account and he writes 140 characters story. Combination of funny, dark and bone chilling stories. He later published a book and I'm glad he did.
March 24, 2012
bite-size fiction with a whole lot of witty words.
September 5, 2014
Great fun! Clever and witty.
July 31, 2015
Short, complex and intriguing. I read the kindle version, the live Twitter feed seems to make the stories come to life.
May 10, 2016
3.5 Fun book.
June 6, 2012
Loved them! They're like jokes inside a teeny-tiny story.
en
August 10, 2017" عندي مشكلة مع الكتاب.
أتحايل عشان ما أنتهي منه!
4 أسطر قصيرة.. ترميك في خيالات طويلة.
في عيد الأم ، اهدتني ابنتي زارا هدية قائلة:
"عيدك سعيد يا أفضل أم". حضنتها بكل قوتي وعلمت حينها بأني حققت وصية زوجتي😢."
أتحايل عشان ما أنتهي منه!
4 أسطر قصيرة.. ترميك في خيالات طويلة.
في عيد الأم ، اهدتني ابنتي زارا هدية قائلة:
"عيدك سعيد يا أفضل أم". حضنتها بكل قوتي وعلمت حينها بأني حققت وصية زوجتي😢."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews