Tommy Dean lives in Indiana with his wife and two children. Tommy Dean is the author of two flash fiction chapbooks, Special Like the People on TV (Redbird Chapbooks, 2014) and Covenants (ELJ Editions, 2021). Hollows, A collection of flash fiction, was published by Alternating Current Press. He is the Editor at Fractured Lit. He has been previously published in the Atticus Review, The MacGuffin, The Lascaux Review, New World Writing, Pithead Chapel, and New Flash Fiction Review. His story “You’ve Stopped” was included in Best Microfiction 2019 and 2020 and Best Small Fiction 2019. He won the 2019 Lascaux Prize in Short Fiction. His interviews have been previously published in New Flash Fiction Review, The Rumpus, CRAFT Literary, and The Town Crier (The Puritan). He has led writing workshops for the Barrelhouse Conversations and Connections conference, The Lafayette Writer’s Workshop, Bending Genres, and for Kathy Fish’s Fast Flash. he is currently teaching at the Dallas Writer’s Workshop.

“Tommy Dean brought such energy and enthusiasm as a guest teacher in my workshop! He has a gift for sparking creativity and innovation in writers. As a gifted practitioner of the short form and a knowledgeable and inspiring teacher, he is sure to bring fresh insights and expertise to his own classes as well. I’m excited for any writers lucky enough to work with him!”

-Kathy Fish

Previous Workshops Have Sold Out Fast!

Don’t miss out on what 2026 has to offer! From learning how to create the feeling in a story, to testing your limits with brevity and word play, we cover all bases to turn you into a crisper, more innovative writer.

For information on upcoming workshops and how to register, follow this page or email Tommy at thomasrdean13@gmail.com.

Looking for a 2026 mentorship? I can help you take your flash or micros to the next level!

Click here for more information!

Illuminating the Shadows: First Pages that Intrigue and Haunt

March 19, 2026

Time: 12:30-2:30 pm EST

online/Live Zoom

Cost: $42

Join Agent and writer Tommy Dean for a deep dive into the first page of today’s most gripping novels to determine how these authors hook and intrigue the reader. Tommy will show participants how the examples use action, sensory details, and a bit of mystery to enthrall and excite a reader, agent, or editor. We’ll look at model texts and hopefully get inspired by the writing prompts! Examples of the first pages will come from Gillian McAllister, Eric Puchner, S. A. Cosby, Harlan Coben, Liz Moore, Percival Everett, and more!

Takeaways: 1) What hooks an agent/reader? 2) Craft elements that create intrigue. 3) Steps/prompts to revise your own openings!

Basics of Traditional Publishing: Finding an Agent

March 27, 2026

Time: 12:00-1:30 pm EST

online/Live Zoom

Cost: $30

Join Agent and writer Tommy Dean for a deep dive into how to find an agent in 2026 or beyond. We’ll look at how to do agent research, the common pieces of the query package, and many dos and don’ts, so you can secure your best-fit agent! The session will also include a 30-minute Ask Me Anything.

Takeaways: 1) Where to find agents and their Manuscript Wish Lists 2) Query structures that hook agents 3) Steps to conquer the querying process!

From Opening to Ending: Writing a Flash Fiction Draft

Cost: $42

When: April 18 2026

12:00-2:00 pm EDT

online/Live Zoom

Join writer Tommy Dean for a two-hour generative writing session focused on creating one full flash draft from opening to ending to everything in between. We’ll look at model texts and use prompts for each element of a successful flash, including openings, escalation, backstory, metaphor, middles, endings, and titles. Instead of 5-6 separate starts, we’ll focus on crafting one cohesive story, using inspiring prompts for each craft element.  Come create a complete and urgent story with your fellow writers and me!

Immersive Settings: In Flash Fiction and Beyond

Cost: $32

Where: Online/Zoom

May 12, 2026

Join writer Tommy Dean for a two-hour generative writing session focused on creating dynamic and immersive settings for flash and microfiction! We’ll look at model texts and hopefully get inspired by the writing prompts! Participants will have the opportunity to start 5-6 drafts during this session. Flash word count/space limits pressure the writer to create and/or/reveal the setting quickly, but specifically and uniquely if they want to form dynamic and affecting stories. Readers want stories they can experience, and dynamic settings can add depth to any story!

Wild Life: Flash Fiction Inspired by the stories of Kathy Fish

Cost: $42

Where: Online/Zoom

When: May 16, 2026

Time 12:00-2:00 PM EDT

I just love Kathy’s stores, and they’ve inspired so many of my own stories and flash fiction craft moves that I’d love for writers to join me in a 2-hour generative class to read, analyze, and write our own flash fictions inspired by prompts based on Kathy’s work. Kathy has generously given me permission to use her stories for this class! If you’re a fan like me, I know you’ll get so much out of this deep dive into how her stories work and thrill readers.

Participant will have the opportunity to start 5-6 drafts during this session. Flash word count/space limits put pressure on the writer to create and or/reveal characters quickly, but specifically and uniquely if they want to form dynamic and affecting stories.

To register for any of the classes on this page, contact me at thomasrdean13@gmail.com. I will provide payment details via email.

Testimonials

This was such a fabulous, generative workshop. The material for each day provided us with a craft essay that illuminated elements of the microform, readings that showed these elements in practice, and prompts that gave just the right amount of guidance – enough to take away the paralysis of sitting down to write, but not so much that it felt too limiting. Tommy’s feedback, and that of the other participants, was warm and encouraging, and worked to recognize the best in our work and build our confidence. The pieces I wrote during this weekend are some of the writing I feel proudest of. I’ve come out with a stronger understanding of structure and construction of character and desire in a small space, and am feeling so inspired to continue to apply what I’ve learned to future projects. -Wendy Wallace

When it comes to flash fiction, few can rival Tommy for knowledge and expertise – he’s not only a highly influential editor, but also a master of the form as a writer. Working with him meant being challenged continuously, asked to dig deep and question whether I am wringing every drop of possible meaning out of every sentence, or whether I have done all I can to bring a character to life or keep the reader gripped. He provided thoughtful, expert advice and our discussions were lively, stimulating, supportive and fruitful. He certainly helped me write with greater rigour, and that’s helped me achieve greater success, which can be measured by the fact that stories we worked on together have gone on to win awards and be published in fine journals. -Jaime Gill