Quirky Homes for Your Flash Fiction Submissions
Flash fiction exists fluidly, ticking boxes in other genres while standing as its own. This can be both a blessing as well as a source of confusion when publishing, raising the question if the venue doesn’t specifically say flash, do I submit it? Though most journals and story hubs won’t specify flash, it never hurts to try—so long as guidelines are followed! Opening your scope of submission places beyond flash-specific spaces is an way to explore other content while also showing off flash as a malleable genre. With so many options, it can be difficult to find the venue that fits your piece the most. Here we’ll dig into a handful of homes that are built for unique storytelling. Whether your first venture publishing flash or your 27th, these venues are a place for all.
First off, have a Submittable account set up! It’s free, and many journals use it for their submissions over emails and in-site forms. It’s also a great engine to apply to contests, workshops, and other writing programs.
Release the journals!
Wild Greens Magazine
This cozy multimedia mag is a bowl of whimsy with an ultra welcoming atmosphere. There’s a monthly theme submissions must be based around (ex. “Missed Connections”), so it’s great for those who want to try flash but need some inspiration to get them started. They also accept poetry, art, and music submissions!
To submit: Flash fits under their “short fiction” category, as all those pieces must be under 1000 words! If you have a series of short fiction pieces, reach out about publishing across multiple issues. They’re very communicative, so it doesn’t hurt to ask! Submissions are deadlined on the 15th of every month, with a new theme being released near the beginning of the deadline month (ex. April 29th = theme for June issue released; May 15th = June issue submission deadline). Join their mailing list and/or follow their socials (@wildgreensmag on insta) to be notified of their latest theme!
3Elements Literary Review
This quarterly journal publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, and photography. But they have one unique requirement— all written pieces MUST INCLUDE the “3 elements” (three pre-chosen words) of that quarter. You’re allowed to use different forms of the words, but they must be present! The words for this quarter are “Moon, Western, Placebo”. If that doesn’t scream cowboy vampire melodrama, I don’t know what else does.
3Elements craves pieces “that makes us feel edified or philosophical or amused or creeped out or angry or inspired or, best yet, all of these things together.” So give it all and go for it!
To submit: All work must be under 3,500 with no minimum word count. Everyone is also asked to include a bio when submitting, so see the full submission guidelines for those details. Lastly, follow 3Elements on socials for updates on the newest trio of elements (@3ElementsReview).
Hoot Post Card Reviews
This is one of the most interesting forms of publishing I’ve seen to this day. Hoot accepts fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, and book reviews on a rolling basis (don’t be surprised if it takes a while to hear back). They seek work that is “audacious, surprising, and energetic,” so be sure to pack those pieces with all your fabulous wordsmithing. Don’t hold anything back, as they only publish one piece in print form monthly, and 1-4 pieces for the online issue. The catch: it all must be no more than 150 words— short enough to fit on a postcard!
Your work also has the chance to be formatted in an experimental manner! Specifically, Hoot “might paint the words on some wood and photograph them, or photo-edit the words onto an interesting-yet-appropriate thing, like a medicine bottle label, or a paper napkin, etc.”
To submit: Everything is handled through Submittable! Be prepared to provide provide a bio if they ask for one. Also, despite the 1-6 month wait period, they do offer feedback! Add a request for that with your submission should you want this. Follow them on Twitter @HOOTreview for updates and/or sign up for their newsletter.
100 Word Story
A.K.A, the most stress-free submission platform I ever did see. Every month they post a photo on their site, and writers are invited to create a story surrounding it. Simple! It’s a great way to invite new inspiration into your writing, while also practicing writing short pieces.
To submit: Based on the image, craft a story of 100 words and post it in the comments space under the image. Writers have the opportunity to leave comments on others’ pieces, so it’s worth taking the time to read and share some love to your favorites. At the end of the month a winner is chosen to be published in their “photo stories” issues. Follow them at @100word_story for updates!
The Molotov Cocktail “a project for incendiary flash fiction”
As they say on their site, they are “interested in volatile flash fiction, the kind of prose you cook up in a bathtub and handle with rubber gloves.” So take that and run with it however you please. They are unapologetically crude, wildly experimental, and so much fun. I definitely recommend giving the pieces a read, if you dare (I am literally daring you, but no pressure).
To submit: The word count limit sits at 1000 words, but most accepted pieces are between 300-600. A bio must be included, but only 2 sentences and in 3rd person. Not a cover letter in sight! And all pieces should be sent through (you guessed it) Submittable.
The possibilities for publication are endless when it comes to flash, so may this be only the beginning of your search for those endless paths. And as always (if you are able), donate to your favorite journals! They want to be able to keep doing what they’re doing, and to be able to compensate their contributors for their beautiful work.
Looking for a place to share early drafts? Or find flash fiction-specific prompts? Check our Write or Die tribe’s Flash Fiction Sundays - part of our Community Membership! Find a prompt on the first and third Sundays of every month. Post your work to our forum, get feedback from other writers, or read what others have submitted. Have fun!
