“Writing Flash Fiction: How to Tell a Whole Story in One (Breathless) Breath” with John Pipkin
May 9 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM CDT
$59.00 – $119.00
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This Event is for Members only.
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$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
PLEASE NOTE: This class recording is now only available for purchase by our members from now until Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59 PM CT. The class recording will be made available to watch (and rewatch) until July 31, 2026. Become a member here.
Effective flash fiction achieves its elegance and forcefulness not in spite of its brevity, but because of it.
In this class, explore the possibilities of flash fiction for capturing a narrative fragment or slice-of-life anecdote, as well as for telling a complete story. The short-short story form can sometimes seem elusive or undefinable because it goes by different names and encompasses several sub-genres: flash fiction, dribble fiction, six-word fiction, compressed fiction, etc. Regardless of length or genre, flash fiction can represent one of the purest forms of storytelling, stripping away unnecessary decorative language and narrative digressions to reveal the essentials of character, plot, setting, and theme.
In this class, we will identify some of the different sub-genres of flash fiction, with an emphasis on compressed fiction, and we’ll dig into several examples of effective flash stories. We’ll also engage in some quick writing exercises to show you that you only need 15 minutes (or less) to get the core elements of your story on paper.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You want to find away to unlock the backlog of story ideas trapped in your head.
- You want to learn how to “summarize” your untold epic tale in just under 1,000 words.
- You’re having trouble identifying the core elements of your story.
- You’re looking for a more succinct way of getting your thoughts and ideas out into the world.
- You want to learn how to say more with fewer words.
The deadline to buy this class recording is Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59 PM CT.
CONTINUING YOUR WRITING JOURNEY
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The WLT is committed to making our online classes accessible to all writers including writers who do not have the financial means to pay for programming. Five (5) seats in this class have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the class to be considered for one of the scholarship seats. We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation. If you are selected for one of the available seats you will be notified via email (from wlt@writersleague.org) no later than 24 hours before the start of the class. Please note, each writer is limited to no more than four (4) total scholarship seats per catalog season.
Instructor
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John Pipkin is the Director of the Undergraduate Creative Writing Program at the University of Texas-Austin and also teaches in the low-residency MFA Program at Spalding University. Originally from Baltimore, he holds a Ph.D. in 19th-century British Literature and is the author of the critically-acclaimed novels: Woodsburner (Nan A Talese/Doubleday 2009) which won the New York Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter (Bloomsbury 2016). He has received fellowships to MacDowell, Yaddo, Dobie-Paisano, and the Gullkistan Center for Creativity in Iceland. He is also the recipient of the 2021 Harry Ransom Award for Excellence in Teaching at UT-Austin.
Before purchasing, please read all policies as noted below and on our Accessibility and Policies page.
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Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.