Category Archives: Flash Fiction

James Holden: The Pen Behind His Ear

Posted on August 6, 2015 by James Holden

In an office full of eccentrics, Paul seemed relatively sane by comparison. There were no comedy ties, no opening of meetings with a commentary on Jimmy Webb lyrics, or extreme exercise or dietary regimes. But what he did have, was a … Continue reading →

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James Holden: Shiny Happy Person

Posted on June 10, 2015 by James Holden

I hear the song all the time. It’s there when I turn on the radio in the morning, Simon Mayo cheerfully introducing it on Radio One. I turn over to Capital to avoid it, but they’re playing it as well. … Continue reading →

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James Holden: Freebies

Posted on May 18, 2015 by James Holden

I was crammed into a corner below the steps that lead off the Great Northern Line platforms at Finsbury Park station. Wearing a loud fleece, I was stood behind a massive plastic barrel, giving freebies to the harassed and hurried … Continue reading →

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James Holden: The Box

Posted on April 21, 2015 by James Holden

I’m making my way along like I normally do, eating dirt and whatever’s in it, crapping it out the other end, when I bump into something. Normally this only happens when I feel like coming to the surface and strike a brick … Continue reading →

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the silver girl

Posted on March 29, 2015 by mat

I was woken up by a banging at my bedroom door, I bet myself Hetty had found herself covered in tin foil again. I yawned and shouted at her to come in. The flimsy wooden door almost swung off its … Continue reading →

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James Holden: The Missing Cemetery

Posted on March 23, 2015 by James Holden

It had been ten years since I had been to my hometown, but the second wedding of one of school friends lured me back, where fiftieth birthdays and school reunions had failed. As I pulled off the motorway it occurred … Continue reading →

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James Holden: The Bureau

Posted on March 2, 2015 by James Holden

Paul had won a small amount of money in a writing competition, and it was burning a hole in his pocket. He decided that he had two choices: use it as funds for entering more competitions, or spend it on … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction Friday 156: 6-word stories

Posted on February 27, 2015 by James Holden

Originally posted on Morgen 'with an E' Bailey:
Welcome to Flash Fiction Friday and the one hundred and fifty-sixth piece in this series. This week’s is the nineteenth bunch of 6-word stories by a variety of authors, together with their…

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James Holden: Roses

Posted on February 4, 2015 by James Holden

This story is a response to a writing prompt set by fellow Asylum member Mat Danaher. The prompt he set was “a rose by any other name”, and you can read more about it here. If asked, Jean Butterman would … Continue reading →

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James Holden: The Hairdresser’s Sister

Posted on January 12, 2015 by James Holden

Watching Rory Bremner on the stage, I wonder whether he enjoys these corporate gigs. Is it all about the money for him? It seems doubtful he’s doing it because of any particular love of the beauty industry. And yet here … Continue reading →

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