Up, Do: Flash Fiction by Women Writers

by Patricia Flaherty Pagan (Editor), Kathryn Kulpa (Contributor), Beverly C. Lucey (Contributor)

Enjoy thirty-three very short stories by women capturing the strength, the yearning, the loss and the joy of the female experience. From intense literary explorations to science fiction adventures to evocative family dramas, these brief but heartfelt stories offer a glimpse into many fascinating worlds. Award-winning authors such as Kathryn Kulpa, Donna Hill and Catherine Edmunds convey laughter and pain with masterful precision. Five percent of the proceeds from this anthology will benefit rape crisis centers and veterans' charities.   

Genres: Short Stories

112 pages, Paperback, ebook

First published February 15, 2014

About the author

Patricia Flaherty Pagan is the award-winning author of “Trail Ways Pilgrims” and “Enduring Spirit: Stories.” She teaches flash fiction writing online for Writespace. She lives in a brown house near the sea with her family and her three mischievous rescue cats.

Reviews

[Gay Yellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Flaherty Pagan is making me a fan of flash fiction with this anthology of short reads about the feminine condition. Various talented women writers weave potent works that cover the gamut of the female experience, from the flirtations of girlhood to the lamentations of widowhood, and everything in between. And the beauty of it is, you can enjoy each piece, one morsel at a time, in less than five minutes, but a story might stay with you long after.

[Rob Darnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edited by Patricia Flaherty Pagan, Up, Do: Flash Fiction by Women Writers is, as the subtitle suggests, an anthology of short stories by women.

I thought all of these stories were very good, outstanding even. Not a single one of them was disappointing in any way. The stories were about a variety of different things and several of them really got to me emotionally.

So, yeah, this is an anthology I’d recommend.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't think you have time to read? Can't get caught up in a full novel, or are you simply looking for something different? If any of these apply to you the UP DO: Flash Fiction by Women Writers is right up your alley.
The 30 plus short stories are smart, funny, thoughtful, insightful. There is a story for everyone.

[Beata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a good short story or flash fiction (this was something new for me) is like a first sip of great coffee in the morning: delish! :)

[Rosalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine writing across the board in this anthology. Intriguing, entertaining, witty, very short pieces that you'll want to return to, to savor and ponder--like good poetry.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book of short stories by women about women.

[Stacey Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up, Do: Flash Fiction by Women Writers, edited by Patricia Flaherty Pagan, is a collection of thirty-three flash fiction stories as diverse as their authors. Patricia, editor and founder at Spider Road Press, reveals an eclectic mix of distinguished women writers, ranging from Chella Courington, teacher of writing and literature from Santa Barbara City College with a Literature PhD and Poetry MFA to Eden Royce, a native Charlestonian whose great-aunt practiced root magic.

This powerful collection includes short stories from science fiction to memoir. You will identify with their colorful tales and be amazed by the emotion expressed. Mini-bios are included for each author.

According to Patricia, “I believe that women’s ideas and actions can propel us all – male, female, transgendered – upward.”

Recommended for readers interested in women’s literature.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Up, Do: Flash Fiction by Women Writers is interesting collection of short fictional stories that sometimes made me laugh others made me cry, but always made me feel something. I even was a bit confused by a couple, but probably read on another day would fill that void in me at that time. I picked this collection up at a book event and I'm glad I did, it has shown me that a story need not always be over a hundred pages to be meaningful, to touch you inside.

[Debie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collection of flash fiction stories from several female authors. Short Short short stories of magical proportions. A very well curated snapshot of women's thoughts and experiences. Read this at a coffee shop within a couple of hours!

[Kessika Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to have in my bag. The flash fiction stories were easy to read while waiting in line at the bank (yes, I still go to the bank) and while waiting in the carpool line. There are several stories that still float through my consciousness many months later.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up, Do is hard to Put Down ! An intriguing collection of women's stories, I highly recommend.