Submissions

Please read these guidelines carefully before submitting (updated 4/2/13). Regular submissions are now open.

New Project Accepting Submissions Now: Flash Novels

What We Want
We want quality fiction that grabs us and doesn't let go. Stories we wish we had written. For examples of what we're looking for, read current and previous issues.

For both flash and long fiction, we're looking for characters, plot, stories, etc. Keep us engaged by maintaining focus and forward momentum. Strive for Poe's prescription of a single effect and Aristotle's criterion of a rising action. Abide by your favorite description of what constitutes a story; one of ours is by Flannery O'Connor: ". . . a story is a complete dramatic action . . ."

Other suggestions before you submit:

Ask someone to critique your work.

Consider whether your piece is better suited as a poem or essay.

See Things That Generally Turn Us Off, below.

Regular Submission Guidelines:

Please adhere to the following requests to ensure that your submission is read:

Double space your submission.

Word length:

Flash Fiction: 1-1200 words.
Long Fiction: 1000-3000 words. (And longer doesn't necessarily mean more exposition or more backstory.)
If your story is between 1000 and 1200 words, you get to decide if it is flash or long.

Simultaneous submissions are okay as long as you withdraw the piece immediately if it is accepted elsewhere. Please only send one submission at a time, and please wait at least one week before submitting again.

New Writer Showcase Guidelines:
Closed for now.

Things That Generally Turn Us Off
Stories written in present tense (especially third person present tense)
Stories with graphic dead baby scenes
Stories about writers
Stories about struggling marriages
Stories set in bars
Stories with more backstory than plot
Stories with undeveloped characters
Stories that are overly reflective
Stories that rely heavily on second person usage
We aren't saying that we never accept these things, but they are less likely to be published. If you think your story is great, send it to us. The worst we can do is reject you. Don't take it personally. These are just our tastes.

Where and How to Send
All submissions must be sent to us through our Submittable (formerly Submishmash) page found here.

Include your name and email address on the front page of your submission.

Response Time
We are currently listed as one of the Top 25 Swiftest Markets on Duotrope with an average response of about 2.5 days. We can't make any promises though.

Payment
Currently we cannot afford to pay you, but this is a good opportunity for you to get a publishing credit. That's even better than money, isn't it? If you are looking for money, try our Dialogue Only Contest (details on our Contests page).

Publication
We publish two pieces per week, and then we create a downloadable magazine with our best pieces every six months. See The Magazine page for more details.

Rights
We will acquire First Time Publishing Rights. You will maintain all other rights after the story is published on our website. Please keep in mind that by giving up First Publication Rights you are limiting the options you have for future publication of that piece. Please be sure you understand what this means before you submit. We also will retain the right to publish your story in our semiannual magazine. All stories will remain on our website or archive. If you would like us to remove your story, please let us know.

Story of the Month Contest
Each month we will have a story of the month contest. The winner will receive a special page for his or her story and a guaranteed spot in the next issue of the semi-annual PDF/print magazine.

Submit Now