Bees + Things + Flowers: Microfictions

by Ran Walker

Three boroughs. Two people. One summer that could change everything.




"This is not a love story," she said.

"Good. I've never been big on those," he responded.

"But this might hurt a little."

"Well, then make it hurt good."




So begins Ran Walker's 19th book, a collection of microfiction that tells the story of a relationship between two unnamed characters and their romance over the course of a single summer in New York City.

Flowing like a mixtape, the collection reads like a concept album, revealing the highs and lows of two people fighting against time to build a relationship that could change them both.

Genres: Contemporary

80 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2020

About the author

Ran Walker is the author of four novels (The Keys of My Soul, B-Sides and Remixes, 30 Love, and Mojo's Guitar), two novellas (Beat Bop and Afro Nerd in Love), and two short story collections (Secrets & Cures and 16 Bars). His short stories and poetry have appeared in a variety of anthologies.

Ran is the recipient of both a 2005 Mississippi Arts Commission/NEA artist grant and a 2006 artist mini-grant, and he has also served as an Artist-in-Residence with the Commission. In addition, he is a past participant in the Hurston-Wright Writers Week Workshop and is the recipient of a fellowship from the Callaloo Writers Workshop.

In addition to writing, Ran is a songwriter and music publisher with ASCAP and 1/2 of the electronic soul production team Groovault. Groovault released The Liquid Dream EP in 2011 and continues to work with a variety of up-and-coming artists. When Ran is not writing books or composing music, he is working on his iPhoneography and storytelling skills.

Ran is an Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing at Hampton University and lives in Virginia with his wife and much better half, Lauren, and his amazing little rockstar daughter, Zoë.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was short and sweet.

[Cozy Beauty Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this author's book through my library and decided to take a chance. I chose this title to start with. I do like the flow of the story and how it's set up like a mix-tape.


This story is about two people who fell in love and are trying to find ways to keep their love strong. This was a simple love story I just wanted more.


I also was draw to this because of the cover, this was strictly a cover read and I see the author has similar cover art for all his books so that's a win. I will be reading more from him to get a more feel and understanding of his writing style.


Rating: 3.75 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Deauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most brilliant piece of fiction I've read in years. Each story masterfully stands alone and tells a larger, cohesive story. As someone who is learning how to write flash and microfiction, I'm finding myself studying this work to better my own. The love story within is beautiful and I felt every micro moment.

[Kristen H. Kincak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection. I’m not a love story person but this one got me. Beautifully written. I wish I could share it with my Creative Writing students but with the MF’er and the sex I cannot. It’s fine I’ll keep it just for me. A reread for sure.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this