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Christy Hartman pens short fiction from her home between the ocean and mountains of Vancouver Island, Canada. She writes about the chasm between love and loss and picking out the morsels of magic in life’s quiet moments. Christy has been shortlisted for Bath and Bridport Flash Fiction prizes and is a two-time New York City Midnight winner. She has been published by Sky Island Journal, Flash Fiction Magazine, Sunlight Press, and others. When not writing, Christy devotes her time to whichever old or injured rescue dog has wormed their way into her heart, currently an anxious Red Heeler named Cyrus. Her other hobby is cooking vegan meals and trying to convince her husband they taste just like chicken. |
Interview with Christy Hartman
about her story "The Perfect Sourdough Loaf"
Silver Winner for The Scribes Prize 2025
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What inspired this piece?
This is a deeply personal piece inspired by the vulnerability of motherhood and the fear, guilt and helplessness that comes with pregnancy. The determination of my main character to compartmentalize past trauma is the crux of this micro.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I love the micro fiction format as it boils down a single moment in time to its rawest emotional state. Without room to decorate the story with extensive elaborate metaphors and flowery descriptions, the power of language is in its purest form.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
If I were to continue this story I would have my main character find solace and support with strong female connection.
What's next on the horizon for you?
I am currently working on a Novella-in-flash focused on the connection between the physicality of a house and the inhabitants that make it a home. I’m hoping to have this work completed in 2026.
This is a deeply personal piece inspired by the vulnerability of motherhood and the fear, guilt and helplessness that comes with pregnancy. The determination of my main character to compartmentalize past trauma is the crux of this micro.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I love the micro fiction format as it boils down a single moment in time to its rawest emotional state. Without room to decorate the story with extensive elaborate metaphors and flowery descriptions, the power of language is in its purest form.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
If I were to continue this story I would have my main character find solace and support with strong female connection.
What's next on the horizon for you?
I am currently working on a Novella-in-flash focused on the connection between the physicality of a house and the inhabitants that make it a home. I’m hoping to have this work completed in 2026.
Interview with Christy Hartman
about her story "Late Night Scrolling"
Honorable Mention for The Scribes Prize 2024
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What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I am drawn to writing Microfiction because of the challenge of trying to convey and entire story, with complex emotions and characters in a small word count. Pulling all the pieces of the puzzle together is difficult but when it clicks the result is magical.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
The story leaves our main character at the precipice of a decision that could potentially blow up their very stable, though unfulfilling life. With another 100 words I would have them decide not to click reply, but to instead dive into the social media trail of their former lover to discover that there was a reason the two did not work the first time.
What's next on the horizon for you?
I am currently working on my first novel—historical fiction set between Romania and Canada, loosely based on my own family’s history of secrets and preservation.
I am drawn to writing Microfiction because of the challenge of trying to convey and entire story, with complex emotions and characters in a small word count. Pulling all the pieces of the puzzle together is difficult but when it clicks the result is magical.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
The story leaves our main character at the precipice of a decision that could potentially blow up their very stable, though unfulfilling life. With another 100 words I would have them decide not to click reply, but to instead dive into the social media trail of their former lover to discover that there was a reason the two did not work the first time.
What's next on the horizon for you?
I am currently working on my first novel—historical fiction set between Romania and Canada, loosely based on my own family’s history of secrets and preservation.