Roberta Allen

I was best known as a pioneer of flash fiction through my books and classes. My five-minute method has long since been absorbed in the culture. My love of language bridges my writing and my art which has always combined text and image. Through the 1970s - early 80s, my art was known internationally. During that time I began writing stories and haven't stopped. My nine books include three well-received story collections, a novel, a novella, a memoir about my trip alone in the Amazon, and three writing guides. For many years, I taught short short stories (before they were widely known as flash fictions) at The New School, Columbia, NYU and other schools.

In my stories, I present disturbing views of the human scene often relieved by humor. My travels, often alone, especially in the third world (Mexico, Central America, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey Peru and Mali for The New York Times Magazine) have been inspirations. More recent stories take place closer to home or in fantasy.