"The Fishless Cycle" by E.P. Tuazon / Reed Magazine (part 1 of 2)

"I listened like someone pressing her ear to the wall of another room."

Well, here’s a first for Short Story Shoutout: I was so moved by E.P. Tuazon’s “The Fishless Cycle” (4,150 words) in Reed Magazine’s latest issue, that I felt it was time for a break in form.

Rather than front-load my gushing reaction to the story, I thought it would be better to provide the link to the work here and—after strongly encouraging you to read it—revisit with a proper appreciation on our usual Wednesday morning column drop.

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What can I tell you about the story now? It’s a perfectly understated, fully-realized depiction of a family that, like so many of the works we’ve already investigated here, addresses big, thematic elements as artfully as it renders the smallest details (and holy hell, does it get the small details right).

Please devote a few minutes of your time to this very moving and technically accomplished short story. You won’t regret it.

I’ll be back in your inbox on Wednesday.

Reed Magazine is an annual literary journal published by San José State University, the oldest of its kind in California (since 1867). Beyond taking submissions for the journal, they host contests in each genre (fiction, nonfiction, poetry) and offer a special contest for high schoolers in Santa Clara County. They seek submissions that exhibit craft, complexity, and creativity while giving voice to a diverse array of artists at various stages in their careers.​​​

Writers may submit fiction pieces of up to 5,000 words.  Aesthetically, Reed is open to most styles and approaches, including experimental and literary. All works should be stand-alone short stories, not chapters of longer works. Their submission window is open now (from 5/1 through 10/1/26).

For a wider introduction to E. P. Tuazon’s work, visit their website.

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