One of our most successful endeavors here has been the call for six-word memoirs. We launched six words as something like counter-programming to NaNoWriMo, which demands 50,000. We just wanted six (and still do—send yours in and it could be in a future book of six-word memoirs) and you sent us thousands of short, short life stories. And one of you even won an iPod.

In the spirit of brevity this summer, here are a few of our favorite short spots to read and write works of fiction and nonfiction alike.

Vestal Review, which just celebrated its seventh anniversary, is the Web’s longest running flash fiction site. All stories 500 words or less. Says founder Mark Budman, “If you don’t have time to read them, then fine literature is in trouble.”

Brevity has been producing great work, on a shoestring, for nine years. It publishes personal nonfiction works that are 750 words or less.

Ficlets is a genius, playful, collaborative short story site. Anyone can add to a thread of a story, write a prequel or sequel—offering a “choose your own adventure” vibe. We met the founder at SWSWi and blogged about it here.

400 Words is called “the literature of everyday life” and the creation of SMITH editor Katherine Sharpe, who recently wrote this moving piece about her father. Current 400 Words topic: work.

Happy writing. Happy reading. Happy summer!