“A revelatory and engaging read.” – Irenosen Okojie

Advanced techniques, essays & practical exercises for mastering the craft of the short story

Introduction by Dr Paul March-Russell.

Book blurb

The Subtle Art of Short Fiction explores the power of short fiction in today’s fragmented world. Renowned authors and critics offer advanced techniques for crafting nuanced, impactful stories. Learn to master short story structure, subtext, micro-tension, and sensory minimalism. Ideal for experienced writers seeking to refine their skills in this sophisticated art form, or those who love short fiction, and want to learn about the craft behind it.

Featuring contributions from: Booker-Shortlisted author Daisy Johnson, Matt Wesolowski, Dr Kerry Hadley-Pryce, Mahsuda Snaith, Sascha Akhtar, David Hartley, Dr Jonathan Taylor, Sarah Schofield, SJ Bradley, Farhana Shaikh and others. With an introduction by Dr Paul March-Russell.

You’ll learn how to shape short-story structure, using subtext and micro-tension to create emotional depth, and sensory minimalism: when to show, when to imply. It’s filled with practical exercises to tighten language and sharpen scenes and contains essays by leading contemporary writers, step-by-step exercises, and editorial guidance that bridges theory and practice. Perfect for anyone ready to refine their command of the short story from structure and subtext to the subtle use of detail.

My thoughts

This was my first read at the beginning of November as I wanted to start my month reading for #NovNov2025 with a little insight into the shorter fiction form. What I found were ten interesting essays that covered a variety of topics and gave me a good deal of insight into what it takes to write short fiction. It also showed, indeed confirmed, that this is not an easy option for an author. There is a real art to writing good short fiction.

I love the shorter forms of fiction, do you?

I have loved reading The Subtle Art of Short Fiction. As a reader this has been a great book to find out more about what it takes to write short fiction and through each of these essays I feel I have gained more understanding and so will get more enjoyment from short fiction.

Maybe you’re a budding author or would like to know more about your own craft? The Subtle Art of Short Fiction is full of great tips, ideas, resources and references that will help you enhance your skills and give you (more) confidence in your work.

‘A mentor in a book’ is what I hope we have created for you here, as you begin to reflect upon the short story, in its many forms.

Isabelle Kenyon, Ed.

Paul March-Russell introduces The Subtle Art of Short Fiction with ‘On Ease and Unease in the Short Story’ followed by a note from the Editor Isabelle Kenyon in which she hopes to have created ‘A mentor in a book’.

You will read about different aspects of writing short fiction from ten authors whose essays cover things such as precision, anticipation, narrative, the moment, structure as metaphor, comedy, urban weird, the unexpected, voices and revision. Each of these essays will talk about one of these aspects and will also pose a challenge, in the form of an exercise, to those who want to engage, who want to enhance their own writing or experience.

More and more over the years I have come to appreciate and love short fiction. Reading The Subtle Art of Short Fiction has increased my understanding of why that is and shown me that the ability to deliver a short story or novella that is worth reading and that will be loved by the reader is not only an art but it is a gift.

Published 1 December 2025.
Preorder your copy of the book HERE.

Thanks

Huge thanks to Fly on the Wall Press for providing an eARC for the purposes of reading and sharing my thoughts on The Art of Short Fiction Ed. Isabelle Kenyon. All thoughts are my own.

Information

Published: Fly on the Wall Press | ‏1 Dec. 2025 | ‎ English |ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1915789486 | ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915789488 | 112 pages

Buy: Fly On The Wall Press | Amazon | Bookshop.org (affiliate link) | Hive | Your local library | Your local bookshop

Fly On The Wall Press

Do you love poetry? Would you like to take it to the next level? The Process of Poetry could be just what you need to read. From Fly On The Wall Press take a look at here.

There are lots of books available from Fly On The Wall Press both fiction and nonfiction here’s a look from a recent book fair.

You can also find Fly On The Wall Press on substack

Tickets – Online launch

Announcing an online launch of craft book ‘The Subtle Art of Short Fiction’, chaired by Opt Indie Books! Join us 1 Dec to hear from a selection of short story writers on editing.

Join us for a special evening celebrating the launch of The Subtle Art of Short Fiction, a new anthology edited by Isabelle Kenyon and published by Fly on the Wall Press.

This live online discussion will bring together a panel of the book’s contributing writers to explore the craft, challenge, and beauty of short fiction – from flash pieces to longer narratives, from experimentation to emotional precision.

The conversation will be chaired by James Routledge of Opt Indie Books, with the full line-up of authors to be announced soon.

Presented by Fly on the Wall Press.

#NovNov2025

#NovNov2025 is co-hosted by Cathy @Cathy746books and Rebecca @bookishbeck to join just post a joining in blogpost and add the link via either of the hosts Link-up post (click on links above).

My post will have each link of my reads added can be found here: My Novella November reads

Nonfiction November

I thought it would be good to add this to Nonfiction November which you can read all about on Rebekah’s blog.

Rebekah cohosts this challenge with Heather, who blogs at Based on a True Story, Frances who blogs at Volatile Rune, Liz who  blogs at Adventures in reading, running and working from home and Deb who blogs at Readerbuzz.

The Subtle Art Of Short Fiction

Editor

Isabelle Kenyon is the Managing Director of Manchester publishing house ‘Fly on the Wall Press’, and was named a Future Leader by the Bookseller in 2024. Founded in 2018, she has led Fly on the Wall Press from Small Press of the Year finalist status at the British Book Awards 2021-23 to their win in the North, in 2024!

She is the MA Module Leader for ‘Publishing in the 21st Century’ at Arts University Bournemouth, and the author of psychological thriller ‘The Dark Within Them’, poetry collections including Growing Pains (Indigo Dreams) and one short story with Wild Pressed Books (‘The Town Talks’). She has had work published internationally in journals such as Ink, Sweat and Tears and newspapers such as The Somerville Times and The Bookseller. She previously coordinated the Northern Fiction Alliance and runs PR campaigns for writers and publishers under Kenyon Author Services (www.kenyonauthorservices.co.uk).

Introduction – Paul March-Russell

Paul March-Russell is the author of The Short Story: An Introduction and co-editor, with Maggie Awadalla, of The Postcolonial Short Story. He is an 
editorial advisor for the Journal of the Short Story in English and Short Fiction in Theory and Practice. He also edits the science fiction journal, Foundation, and is co-commissioning editor for the feminist sf imprint Gold SF.

Authors

There is a biographies section towards the end of the book. Each other is below with a link to their agent, publisher or website.

Daisy Johnson, Matt Wesolowski, Dr Kerry Hadley-Pryce, Mahsuda Snaith, Sascha Akhtar, David Hartley, Dr Jonathan Taylor, Sarah Schofield, SJ Bradley, Farhana Shaikh.

SJ Bradley her podcast Uneasy Listening on Uneasy Listening