Individuals

Individuals contains more than 50 examples of 'flash fiction', short short stories. Flash fiction is already hugely popular with UK students and teachers of creative writing - a potentially vast market. The gently humorous stories prove that brevity is the soul of wit. Frustrated professors, pompous judges and devious careerists cross the pages of this book, as Lao Ma skilfully dissects the hypocrisies and ironies of life in China. The author Lao Ma is recognised as the father of flash fiction in China. The collection features forewords by eminent novelist Yan Lianke (Serve the People) as well as the author himself. Individuals includes original illustrations that reflect the humour of the stories. The gently humorous tone and short short story format make this book stand out.

Lao Ma began to write fiction in the 1990s, and has become recognised in China as a master of 'micro' fiction, publishing hundreds of stories in various literary publications. Individuals, which has been garlanded with awards, is credited with pioneering the popular genre of 'flash fiction' (short, short fiction) in China. Currently Lao Ma combines his fiction writing with his duties as a professor in the literature department of the People's University of China.