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Grassbleed
This collection features Pushcart and Best of the Net nominated flash/micros: Lungs by Flash Fiction North. Ylem by Portland Metrozine and Yelm by PaperDjinn (Pushcart)
GRASSBLEED is a collection of micro and flash fiction from the internationally acclaimed award-winning Mehreen Ahmed. Beautifully written with such consistency and flair, the stories in this collection paint imagery of idyll and distress while enlivening human emotions with a burst of romantic charm.
GRASSBLEED is a collection of micro and flash fiction from the internationally acclaimed award-winning Mehreen Ahmed. Beautifully written with such consistency and flair, the stories in this collection paint imagery of idyll and distress while enlivening human emotions with a burst of romantic charm.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2021
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Mehreen Ahmed
115 books232 followersAustralian author Mehreen Ahmed is celebrated by the Midwest Book Review for her "exceptional flair for narrative storytelling and compellingly memorable characters" in her novel, "The Pacifist". The review describes the book as "deftly crafted and consistently entertaining," as well as "original, compelling, skillfully written from cover to cover," making it "very highly recommended."It is also, a Drunken Druid Editor's Choice.She has authored eleven books comprised of novels, novellas and shorts_short stories, micro/flash fictions were widely published and translated into Greek,Bangla,German and have won contests,shortlisted for Editor's Choice Awards,nominations for BestSmallFictions,5botN,2Pushcart and JamesTait.AntipodeSF Radio featured her shorts. Currently,she is the Guest Fiction Editor of Panorama:Journal for Travel,Place,and Nature,UK.
>Publications/Forthcoming
BendingGenres,Boudin:McNeeseStateUniversity,CambridgeUniversityPress,ChironReview,UniversityofHawaii Press,MichiganStateUniversityPress,PerceptionMagazine:SyracuseUniversity,StraylightMagazine:WisconsinParklandUniversity,TheTalonReview:NorthFloridaUniversity,MetachrosisLiterary:DundeeUniversity,BitterleafBooks:YSJ,PopshotQuarterly,CoffinBell,AntipodeanSF,Aphelion:Website of ScienceFictionandFantasy,Callej,UniversityofKentPress,TheSheaf,Jimson WeedUVA,UltramarineLitRev,TheBayouReview,MuseIndia,CentaurLit,HootReview,
ShortsMagazine,BlazeVOX,ArgyleLiteraryMagazine,JournalofExpressiveWriting,SixSentences,IceFloePress,LitroUK,PanoramaTheJournalofTravelPlaceandNature,MrBull,Otoliths,SoFloPoJo,
OlneyMagazine,AlternateRoute,TheGorkoGazette,PorchLitMag,WordCityLit,TheAntonym,The HennepinReview,LiteraryHeist,MadSwirl,
AlienBuddha,RogueAgent,VineLeafReview,OctoberHillMagazine,OddballMagazine,InParenthesis.artLitMagNew Modernism,ConnotationPress,DoorIsAJar,ELJ
ScissorsandSpackle,VisualVerse,FlashBoulevard,
FiveMinutes,QuateraryRealmsAnthology,ChewersandMasticadores,QuailBell,Crêpe&Penn,FlashFrontier,EllipsisZine,Ginosko#24#29#30,TheCabinetofHeed,ActiveMuse,HeroinChic,LoveInTheTime ofCovidChronicle,WellingtonStreetReview,NailpolishStories,Setu,ImpspiredMagazine,ThornLiterary,Magazine,3MoonMagazine,SageCigarettes,TheBombayReview,FlashBackFiction,DownInTheDirt,DarkWinterLiteraryMagazine,AcademyOfHeartAndMind,PikerPress,Kitaab,CommuterLit,AngelCityReview,FreeFlashFiction,CafeDissensus,ThePunch,FurtiveDalliance,InkPantry,FlashFictionNorth,BridgeHouse,CosmicTeapot and others.
Awards/Nominations/Recognitions
>Winner
DrunkenDruidEditor'sChoice2017/ThePacifist
FirstPlace_AcademyoftheHeartandMind,May FlowersContest2022/ThePhasesoftheMoon
CoWinner_WaterlooWritingCompetition May2020/Dolly
AyaskalaLiteraryMagazine2023/RainandCoffee
Cabinet-of-Heed Stream-of-ConsciousnessChallenge April2020 DrawerFour/BlackMirror
>Nominations
2Pushcart:ParadoxOfLove:CentaurLit2026,Ylem:PaperDjinn2020
BestSmallFictions,TheStretch:Boudin2025
5BestoftheNet:Interlude-LiteratiMagazine2020,Elysium:FlashFictionNorth2020,NumberNinetyFour:DecolonialPassage2024,OftheBlueEvening:GorkoGazette2025
JamesTaitBlackPrize2021,Gatherings:BridgeHousePublishing
>Finalist/Shortlist
Finalist:FourthAdelaideLiteraryAward contest,February2020/FlowerGirl/
Shortlisted:FreedomFictionJournalEditor'sChoiceAwards/Flamenco24/AroundtheBend25
>Honourable Mentions
WeaversOfWordsContestUnpublishedPlatform 2022/SilentBleat
>Bestof/MostRead/Top10
AntipodeanSF25PainttheCityRed
AntipodeanSF25Cloudfields
EthelZine24Dead-Fly
AlienBuddha23/24TheRiverofMelted Chocolate/The Scripts
TheGorkoGazette23/OftheBlueEvening ReadersFavFic
MadSwirl23/24Space/Vape/CitySmell/InStillness
ImpspiredMag/MultipleTimesTop10Read
CafeLit8Writer'sChoice2019BatsDownunder.
>Milestone Selection
AlienBuddha2023/DeepWell
>Special Collector's Edition
PopshotQuarterly 41:2023/RiverofMeltedChocolate.
>Audiobooks Best Seller/Others
ThePacifist2017
PeekingCatLiterary
>Publications/Forthcoming
BendingGenres,Boudin:McNeeseStateUniversity,CambridgeUniversityPress,ChironReview,UniversityofHawaii Press,MichiganStateUniversityPress,PerceptionMagazine:SyracuseUniversity,StraylightMagazine:WisconsinParklandUniversity,TheTalonReview:NorthFloridaUniversity,MetachrosisLiterary:DundeeUniversity,BitterleafBooks:YSJ,PopshotQuarterly,CoffinBell,AntipodeanSF,Aphelion:Website of ScienceFictionandFantasy,Callej,UniversityofKentPress,TheSheaf,Jimson WeedUVA,UltramarineLitRev,TheBayouReview,MuseIndia,CentaurLit,HootReview,
ShortsMagazine,BlazeVOX,ArgyleLiteraryMagazine,JournalofExpressiveWriting,SixSentences,IceFloePress,LitroUK,PanoramaTheJournalofTravelPlaceandNature,MrBull,Otoliths,SoFloPoJo,
OlneyMagazine,AlternateRoute,TheGorkoGazette,PorchLitMag,WordCityLit,TheAntonym,The HennepinReview,LiteraryHeist,MadSwirl,
AlienBuddha,RogueAgent,VineLeafReview,OctoberHillMagazine,OddballMagazine,InParenthesis.artLitMagNew Modernism,ConnotationPress,DoorIsAJar,ELJ
ScissorsandSpackle,VisualVerse,FlashBoulevard,
FiveMinutes,QuateraryRealmsAnthology,ChewersandMasticadores,QuailBell,Crêpe&Penn,FlashFrontier,EllipsisZine,Ginosko#24#29#30,TheCabinetofHeed,ActiveMuse,HeroinChic,LoveInTheTime ofCovidChronicle,WellingtonStreetReview,NailpolishStories,Setu,ImpspiredMagazine,ThornLiterary,Magazine,3MoonMagazine,SageCigarettes,TheBombayReview,FlashBackFiction,DownInTheDirt,DarkWinterLiteraryMagazine,AcademyOfHeartAndMind,PikerPress,Kitaab,CommuterLit,AngelCityReview,FreeFlashFiction,CafeDissensus,ThePunch,FurtiveDalliance,InkPantry,FlashFictionNorth,BridgeHouse,CosmicTeapot and others.
Awards/Nominations/Recognitions
>Winner
DrunkenDruidEditor'sChoice2017/ThePacifist
FirstPlace_AcademyoftheHeartandMind,May FlowersContest2022/ThePhasesoftheMoon
CoWinner_WaterlooWritingCompetition May2020/Dolly
AyaskalaLiteraryMagazine2023/RainandCoffee
Cabinet-of-Heed Stream-of-ConsciousnessChallenge April2020 DrawerFour/BlackMirror
>Nominations
2Pushcart:ParadoxOfLove:CentaurLit2026,Ylem:PaperDjinn2020
BestSmallFictions,TheStretch:Boudin2025
5BestoftheNet:Interlude-LiteratiMagazine2020,Elysium:FlashFictionNorth2020,NumberNinetyFour:DecolonialPassage2024,OftheBlueEvening:GorkoGazette2025
JamesTaitBlackPrize2021,Gatherings:BridgeHousePublishing
>Finalist/Shortlist
Finalist:FourthAdelaideLiteraryAward contest,February2020/FlowerGirl/
Shortlisted:FreedomFictionJournalEditor'sChoiceAwards/Flamenco24/AroundtheBend25
>Honourable Mentions
WeaversOfWordsContestUnpublishedPlatform 2022/SilentBleat
>Bestof/MostRead/Top10
AntipodeanSF25PainttheCityRed
AntipodeanSF25Cloudfields
EthelZine24Dead-Fly
AlienBuddha23/24TheRiverofMelted Chocolate/The Scripts
TheGorkoGazette23/OftheBlueEvening ReadersFavFic
MadSwirl23/24Space/Vape/CitySmell/InStillness
ImpspiredMag/MultipleTimesTop10Read
CafeLit8Writer'sChoice2019BatsDownunder.
>Milestone Selection
AlienBuddha2023/DeepWell
>Special Collector's Edition
PopshotQuarterly 41:2023/RiverofMeltedChocolate.
>Audiobooks Best Seller/Others
ThePacifist2017
PeekingCatLiterary
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 5, 2022
Literary masterpieces!
26 masterpieces indeed. Surrealistic, poignant short (flash/micro) stories, or simply put, snapshots. Very enlightening, thought-provoking, analytical and philosophical.
Always ending with an unexpected twist. None of the stories failed to deliver a powerful and somewhat covert message. Some of them are shocking, surprising, dramatic with a pinch of romance; whereas all of them are emotionally charged with various stark contrasts. Reality vs. dreams or vice versa, even something in-between, rather.
The first one actually reminded me of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but without a happy ending, unfortunately.
''Dolly'', for example, was quite moving, ft. a young orphan girl, a delicate florist that just didn't belong to this cruel world. Maybe, something like ''A little Match Girl" in modern times.
The style is unique, sophisticated and appropriate.
The very title is also spot on!
Highly recommended to connoisseurs.
26 masterpieces indeed. Surrealistic, poignant short (flash/micro) stories, or simply put, snapshots. Very enlightening, thought-provoking, analytical and philosophical.
Always ending with an unexpected twist. None of the stories failed to deliver a powerful and somewhat covert message. Some of them are shocking, surprising, dramatic with a pinch of romance; whereas all of them are emotionally charged with various stark contrasts. Reality vs. dreams or vice versa, even something in-between, rather.
The first one actually reminded me of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but without a happy ending, unfortunately.
''Dolly'', for example, was quite moving, ft. a young orphan girl, a delicate florist that just didn't belong to this cruel world. Maybe, something like ''A little Match Girl" in modern times.
The style is unique, sophisticated and appropriate.
The very title is also spot on!
Highly recommended to connoisseurs.
October 26, 2021
"Grassbleed" is an immersive collection of stories that transports and transcends. Straddling the line between dreams and reality, visions and memory, Ahmed opens up new worlds. The balance of surreal imagery mixed with the joy and suffering of life is painted on the page with unique elegance, leading the reader to reflect on what is true.
“The two distinct worlds of the same reality existed simultaneously; one hinging on the other in perfect harmony.” from “A Blinding Flash”
With strong ties to family and home, Ahmed’s characters journey through human struggle into introspection, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of the world. An evocative book that will haunt the imagination and leave a lasting imprint of wonder.
“The two distinct worlds of the same reality existed simultaneously; one hinging on the other in perfect harmony.” from “A Blinding Flash”
With strong ties to family and home, Ahmed’s characters journey through human struggle into introspection, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of the world. An evocative book that will haunt the imagination and leave a lasting imprint of wonder.
November 18, 2021
This interesting micro/flash fiction collection walks the line between dream and reality, while the struggles take place within individuals, in families, and throughout the wider world. The stories are filled with swans, bats, art, bullets, and all manner of things.
In “Dolly,”a young girl develops wings to escape her human capturer. Mountains speak in, “Pink Toenails,” and the sun gives people a second chance, after they have messed up by letting machines takeover the world. A boy braids his way through charred trees, searching for his dog in “Sparky.” And time ends, at midnight, in the collection’s final story, “The Lights.”
The book takes you on a dreamy ride, throughout. You won’t soon forget it.
In “Dolly,”a young girl develops wings to escape her human capturer. Mountains speak in, “Pink Toenails,” and the sun gives people a second chance, after they have messed up by letting machines takeover the world. A boy braids his way through charred trees, searching for his dog in “Sparky.” And time ends, at midnight, in the collection’s final story, “The Lights.”
The book takes you on a dreamy ride, throughout. You won’t soon forget it.
December 1, 2024
Editorial Reviews
"We absolutely love the sense of urgency and authenticity here," Bengal, 1971 -- Ingrid Jendzejewski, FlashBack Fiction
"Such a strong consistency in your writing, " Debt -- Steven Pearman, Melbourne Culture Centre
"Loved your piece," Thin Wall -- The Editors, The Talon Review
"We love it," Chasing a Dream --- Editors, Door is A Jar Magazine
"Mehreen Ahmed's story adeptly conjures the feelings and emotions at the literary heart of the 19-20th c. Bengal Renaissance channeling Tagore's Last Poem, which recounts an unconventional love story, she presents us with a truely timeless work," Rag --- Editors, Thorn Literary Magazine
"We enjoyed very much," Faus Pax -- Danielle Bentel, Online Editor Straylight Literary Magazine
"A good read - I was melting," Sparky -- Ian Rushton, Free Flash Fiction
"Incredible work," The Beach -- Madison Kalia, Editor-in-chief and Chris Kahil Assistant Editor, Crepe and Penn
"Your Flash. Wonderful, we are intrigued," Love, Uncertainly (Changed to Elusive Love) -- Witi & Michelle, Editors Love in the Time of Covid: A Chronicle of love
"It is quite surreal and truly synergistic," Ylem -- Basha Krasnoff, Editor, Portland Metrozine
"Love it. You write conventional romantic short stories, but they are written in unconventional ways using language and sentence structure unlike any other writer I know," Rain and Coffee -- Steve Carr, Editor, Sweetycat Press.
"Excellent story," Sonorous Waves -- Simon Webster, Editor The Cabinet of Heed.
"I really like your story, touching as it does, on the history and possible future of our present predicament," Lungs -- John Caulton, Editor, Flash Fiction North
"It is a brilliant, evocative, and timely story. I had a great time reading it," Pink Toenails -- Umair Mirxa, Editor-in-Chief, PaperDjinn Press
"Beautifully written," Dirge -- Steve Cawte, Impspired Magazine
"We absolutely love the sense of urgency and authenticity here," Bengal, 1971 -- Ingrid Jendzejewski, FlashBack Fiction
"Such a strong consistency in your writing, " Debt -- Steven Pearman, Melbourne Culture Centre
"Loved your piece," Thin Wall -- The Editors, The Talon Review
"We love it," Chasing a Dream --- Editors, Door is A Jar Magazine
"Mehreen Ahmed's story adeptly conjures the feelings and emotions at the literary heart of the 19-20th c. Bengal Renaissance channeling Tagore's Last Poem, which recounts an unconventional love story, she presents us with a truely timeless work," Rag --- Editors, Thorn Literary Magazine
"We enjoyed very much," Faus Pax -- Danielle Bentel, Online Editor Straylight Literary Magazine
"A good read - I was melting," Sparky -- Ian Rushton, Free Flash Fiction
"Incredible work," The Beach -- Madison Kalia, Editor-in-chief and Chris Kahil Assistant Editor, Crepe and Penn
"Your Flash. Wonderful, we are intrigued," Love, Uncertainly (Changed to Elusive Love) -- Witi & Michelle, Editors Love in the Time of Covid: A Chronicle of love
"It is quite surreal and truly synergistic," Ylem -- Basha Krasnoff, Editor, Portland Metrozine
"Love it. You write conventional romantic short stories, but they are written in unconventional ways using language and sentence structure unlike any other writer I know," Rain and Coffee -- Steve Carr, Editor, Sweetycat Press.
"Excellent story," Sonorous Waves -- Simon Webster, Editor The Cabinet of Heed.
"I really like your story, touching as it does, on the history and possible future of our present predicament," Lungs -- John Caulton, Editor, Flash Fiction North
"It is a brilliant, evocative, and timely story. I had a great time reading it," Pink Toenails -- Umair Mirxa, Editor-in-Chief, PaperDjinn Press
"Beautifully written," Dirge -- Steve Cawte, Impspired Magazine
January 17, 2022
A wonderful collection of flash fiction
What a grand collection of micro/flash in GrassBleed by Mehreen Ahmed. I am a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I want to read. This author brings her culture into each of the stories, and it is not easy to tell a complete story within a few short words. This author brings each of the stories to life. I read a lot of stories, and I love the different writing styles and storytelling abilities. This author has a powerful way with words, and indeed can show stories. I love it when a Legacy author sends me more of their work! This author has a great imagination. Each story had its own feel and emotions, and while I read each one, sometimes more than one, one of my favorites was "Thin Wall." It's toward the beginning of the book, and I kept going back to it. It resonated with me. "You sitting by here side, holding each other in the clear, dazzling light, propped up by stars of a night; ... Tonight, you're a different person, sensitive, caring and romantic, play chess, laughing at silly, odd jokes ... Dear Father, did you not see it coming?" This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). Masterfully written! And another note, it ended with the perfect story. GrassBleed and its stories are a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author.
What a grand collection of micro/flash in GrassBleed by Mehreen Ahmed. I am a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I want to read. This author brings her culture into each of the stories, and it is not easy to tell a complete story within a few short words. This author brings each of the stories to life. I read a lot of stories, and I love the different writing styles and storytelling abilities. This author has a powerful way with words, and indeed can show stories. I love it when a Legacy author sends me more of their work! This author has a great imagination. Each story had its own feel and emotions, and while I read each one, sometimes more than one, one of my favorites was "Thin Wall." It's toward the beginning of the book, and I kept going back to it. It resonated with me. "You sitting by here side, holding each other in the clear, dazzling light, propped up by stars of a night; ... Tonight, you're a different person, sensitive, caring and romantic, play chess, laughing at silly, odd jokes ... Dear Father, did you not see it coming?" This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). Masterfully written! And another note, it ended with the perfect story. GrassBleed and its stories are a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author.
August 6, 2024
GRASSBLEED by Mehreen Ahmed
A Book Review By AZP
August 2024
Written with sophistication, these are dream-like, peculiar collection of short tales navigating a reader to the deepest recesses of human nature and psyche, involving an individual, family and even otherworldly.
Some tales tackle romantic, virtual relationships; others are about tales of a dystopian world; while some delve on futuristic snippets; and showcases kin dynamics, among others.
Each tale is unique and bizarrely interesting! All have an ‘introspective effect’ to the reader.
A curious, wonderful book!
A Book Review By AZP
August 2024
Written with sophistication, these are dream-like, peculiar collection of short tales navigating a reader to the deepest recesses of human nature and psyche, involving an individual, family and even otherworldly.
Some tales tackle romantic, virtual relationships; others are about tales of a dystopian world; while some delve on futuristic snippets; and showcases kin dynamics, among others.
Each tale is unique and bizarrely interesting! All have an ‘introspective effect’ to the reader.
A curious, wonderful book!
April 10, 2023
I really wanted to like this as I love flash fiction but I couldn't finish it. I found the language used was too over the top and sometimes didn't make sense. The stories didn't grab me like other flash I've read. Sorry!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews