title: Brother Raven: and Other Tales from the Middle of Nowhere
author:  Leland Dirks 
description: <span>Flash fiction, sometimes called micro fiction, has roots as far back as Aesop's Fables, Jesus' parables, and Zen koans, perhaps even further. Often in the range of 250 to 1000 words, each is a complete story, including a protagonist, conflict, challenges, and resolution. To do so with so few words, the author often hints, rather than describes, various elements of the story.&#xA0;</span><br><br><span>What is widely acclaimed as the shortest short story of all is often attributed to Ernest Hemingway, though no real proof exists of his authorship. It is, in its entirety: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."</span><br><br><span>The form has grown more popular in recent years, owing in part to time constraints of readers, and authors who love a challenge. It's been further popularized by some authors who attempt to tell a story in 140 characters to fit in a single Tweet on the popular service Twitter.</span><br><br><span>My own interest in the format began with an NPR contest called "Three Minute Fiction," in which the limit was 600 words. Later I was introduced to a weekly contest on the Indies Unlimited website, with a 250-word limit. Finally, I became a full-fledged fanatic when I found author J.D. Mader's website, where every Friday a lot of terrific writers gather to share their flash fiction with each other and the world. In fact, many of these stories first appeared on the latter two websites in slightly different form.</span><br><br><span>Whether you read them on the subway, while you're boiling a three-minute egg, or on the porcelain throne, I hope you enjoy these tiny stories. Thank you so much for your support.</span>
zlib_text: About the Book
  
  With Zavac and his ship, the Raven, well ahead of the Heron, Hal has a huge
  task ahead of him in finding the pirate – and retrieving the precious artefact
  Zavac stole from the Skandians.
  
  The Heron brotherband must undertake a long and dangerous river journey to
  hunt their prey. But even if they survive the journey, are they ready to
  confront Zavac in his lair?
  
  PRAISE FOR THE BROTHERBAND SERIES
  
  ‘It’s action to the max!’ Mania
  
  ‘An addictive and satisfying read’ Weekend Australian
  
  ‘Above all a rattling good story’ Magpies
  
  ‘Swashbuckling and adventurous’ ABC Radio
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CONTENTS
  
  [Cover]($00001)
  
  [About the Book](index_split_000.html#filepos307)
  
  [Title Page](index_split_002.html#filepos7310)
  
  [A Few Sailing Terms Explained](index_split_005.html#filepos7947)
  
  [Part One: The Hunt](index_split_006.html#filepos16052)
  
  [Chapter 1](index_split_007.html#filepos16186)
  
  [Chapter 2](index_split_008.html#filepos32299)
  
  [Chapter 3](index_split_009.html#filepos44675)
  
  [Chapter 