Are you a flash fiction writer?
Have you just completed a collection of short fiction stories where each story is a 1000 words or less?
Do you want get your set of stories published?
Below you’ll find 19 top flash fiction collection publishers.
1. Vestal Review
The oldest magazine specializing in flash fiction, Vestal Review has been in the market since the year 2000. David Galef is the editor of this online magazine. They have specific reading periods during which they review works submitted by writers. So read their submission guidelines to know when you should submit your writing. Vestal Review has published over 60 issues as of 2022. You can contact them via info@vestalreview.org or on Twitter.
2. Flash Fiction Magazine
Flash Fiction Magazine digitally produces pieces of flash fiction in various issues. They are in search of stories and do not wish to publish erotica, children’s fiction, poetry, lyrical musings and such. The stories must fall within the word count of 300 – 1000 words. To know more about their preferences, read their submission guidelines carefully. The magazine is run by Shannon Azzato Stephens and puts forth one flash fiction every day. They have produced a couple of issues so far. You should contact them by email if you have any doubts to be cleared.
3. SmokeLong Quarterly
Established in the year 2003, SmokeLong Quarterly is a web based publisher of flash fiction. Its founder is Dave Clapper and it is established in Seattle, Washington. If your writing is 1000 words or less, you should consider submitting it to them for review. They welcome submissions throughout the year. However, here are the guidelines you must follow. Bridget Adams, Cole Meyer, Skylar Alexander and Fatima Alharthi are some authors who have been featured in their magazine. They can be contacted by email or through social media platforms.
4. filling Station
Housed in Calgary, Canada, filling Station welcomes fictional works of all sizes, be it flash fiction, postcard, short stories, experimental etc. It was started in 1993 by some students of University of Calgary and is published three times a year. You can check out their instructions for submission to see if your work meets all the criteria. Use their Facebook page to reach out to them. Kyle Flemmer is the current Managing Editor at filling Station.
5. Lamplight
Have a flash fiction with dark themes? Lamplight may just be what you need. Jacob Haddon is the editor of this literary magazine that accepts submissions from writers in two periods. So do your own due diligence to ensure that you do not send in your writing outside of the months that have been specified on their submission guidelines page. Some of its past issues have featured writers such as Elizabeth Massie, Norman Prentiss, Salena Casha etc. You can contact Lamplight should you have anything to clarify.
6. Litro
Litro started out as a pamphlet and soon grew into a literary and short stories magazine. They promote content on multiple platforms like their print magazine, online site and through podcasts known as Litro Lab. The brand was founded in the year 2005 by Eric Akoto. They encourage discussion of arts, culture, literature and fiction through the titles they deliver to the world. If you take a look at their flash fiction releases on the site, you’ll find some titles like Regeneration, My Sinister Side and The Polovakai. Located in London, Litro has some guidelines to help you submit your work as long as it fits one of the two themes that are currently open for submissions. You may also contact them via Facebook or Twitter.
7. Brevity
In 1997, Dinty W. Moore founded the Brevity magazine. Zoe Bossiere is its Managing Editor currently. Although Brevity is on the lookout for new talent, over the years, they have published the works of several acclaimed writers including those of Pulitzer prize finalists, Pushcart winners and NEA fellows. Aphorisms for a Lonely Planet by Lance Larsen and Women These Days by Amy Butcher are two of their nonfiction titles from the past issues. They are said to resume accepting submissions for their magazine essays in September. However, they are still open to receiving craft essay submissions. Read their guidelines before you contact them on Facebook. Brevity is established in Ohio, US.
8. Fairlight Books
Fairlight Books publishes short stories categorized by reading time such as 5 minutes, 10 minutes and so on. They are a publisher of contemporary and literary fictions. Those of you who stay in Oxford, England are in luck, because the Fairlight Books office is set up there. That’s not to say that others cannot submit their writings. The company welcomes works that are in keeping with the guidelines of submission. Get familiarized with the kind of fiction they publish by browsing their website. This would better help you decided if you should submit your manuscript for consideration or not. If you’d like to consult them, refer to their contacts page. This company was founded by Louise Boland in 2017. Bird Brains, Murder on the Duchy Estate and Failing to Pieces are some of their short stories.
9. Open Pen
Open Pen is a space where fiction writers can thrive. It specializes in short fiction ranging from 50 – 4000 words, so your flash fiction would fit right in. Sean Preston is the publisher and Joe Johnston is the magazine editor. The magazine was started in 2011 and produces issues thrice in a year. These print magazines can be found in libraries, bookstores and institutes. They have a contact form available on their site for any queries. You will find this company located in London, UK. Keep in mind that they do not accept poetry formats. Here are more submission guidelines you should read. The Prick by Mazin Saleem, One Thing by Xanthi Barker and Shitstorm by Fernando Sdrigotti are some of their novelettes.
10. Existere
As a journal of literature and arts, Existere comes up with issues twice a year and is published at York University. It has been active since the year 1978 in Ontario, Canada. Edward Fenner was the publisher of this journal. Read the instructions on their submissions and contact page as they both mention crucial information regarding acceptance of manuscripts. Although they welcome writings of various formats and genres, it is always better to consult with them beforehand.
11. Geist
Co-founded by Stephen Osborne and Mary Schendlinger, Geist is a literary magazine established in Vancouver, Canada. It began doing the rounds in 1990. Ever since, the magazine has been putting forth fiction and nonfiction writings for its audiences. Since they do not accept email or online submissions, you will have to post your manuscript to the given address. Your writing also needs to have a clear Canadian connection. You will find all their contact information from their website.
12. Bandit Fiction
Newcastle upon Tyne, England is home to the digital publishing firm called Bandit Fiction. They have a bunch of different submission periods based on some themes. So make sure to only send in your flash fiction depending on the theme of your writing and when you’d want it to be published. You could reach out to them with any queries on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Greg Forrester and Cara De Sausmarez are the founders of this online zine.
13. The Molotov Cocktail
If your writing qualifies to be “crude” and “ruthless”, then The Molotov Cocktail would be glad to accept your submission. It is all about experimental writing that does not heed to conventions and is “volatile” in nature. You should seriously take into consideration all of the points they’ve mentioned on their submission page, because they are quite clear about what kind of content they’d like to see. Josh Goller is the editor of this Portland, Oregon based magazine that was founded in 2010. Try contacting them via Twitter if need be.
14. Going Down Swinging
Kevin Brophy and Myron Lysenko are the two masterminds behind the rise of Going Down Swinging, a literary journal that accepts essays, experimental works, creative non-fiction and more with a word count of no more than 2000 words. It was started in 1979 in Australia. The journal is available in print format, digital as well as audio. In order to confirm that they publish the kind of flash fiction you have written, you should send them an email after going through their submission guidelines. At the moment, they are not accepting submissions for print. So if you’d like to have your story published digitally, consider them as one of your options.
15. Clarkesworld Magazine
It was the year 2006 when Clarkesworld magazine first made an appearance with its enthusiasm for science fiction and fantasy. Based in Stirling, New Jersey, the fictional stories they publish online can also be found in their annual print anthologies. This magazine is a part of Wyrm Publishing. Neil Clarke is the editor of this publishing firm that has won many awards such as the Million Writers Award for Best New Online Magazine and Chelsey Awards for Best Magazine Cover. Read their submission guidelines where they have posted very specific instructions pertaining to the scifi and fantasy genre. Contact them via email if you have any further doubts, issues or questions.
16. AntipodeanSF
Do you have a speculative fiction or a science fiction write-up that falls within the range of 500-1000 words? Then maybe AntipodeanSF is the perfect platform for you to showcase your skills. It is an online fiction magazine housed in Australia. Publisher and editor, Ion Newcombe, has been keeping the company going since 1998. They publish written as well as audio content on their online site. Check out their submission guidelines. If you’d like to contact them for any queries, you should do so from the link on their website. Apocalypse by Eugen Bacon and Sandbox by Kevin J. Phyland are a couple of stories published by them.
17. Overland
Overland is a print journal and an online magazine based in Melbourne, Australia. They have been delivering literary content to the masses since the year 1954. Some of the terms to get you familiarized with Overland’s brand are progressive, radical and voice of the underrepresented. Jacinda Woodhead is the Editor-in-chief of the platform. Overland is open to artists who dabble in fiction, art, poetry and nonfiction. But before you send your manuscript to them, you might want to read and adhere to their submission guidelines. Their contact page on the website has all the details you’ll need to get in touch with them. If you browse their web page you will come across some powerful cultural, political and religious pieces of writing.
18. Synaeresis
Operating out of London, Ontario in Canada is an online journal that features literary and artistic talents. They are slated to resume accepting submissions for flash fiction, poetry and art from September 2019. So you have ample time to fine-tune your writings and whip it into shape for publishing. Follow the steps mentioned in their guidelines for submission. Synaeresis is managed by Harmonia Press and you can reach out to them via their Facebook or Twitter page. Be sure to not submit any content that has violent themes or is derogatory in any way. Andreas Gripp is currently the editor at Synaeresis.
19. Every Day Fiction
Founded in 2007, Every Day Fiction is a flash fiction magazine run by Every Day Publishing Ltd. It was founded by Jordan Ellinger along with Steven Smethurst and Camille Gooderham. Regardless of the genre of your writing, you should consider submitting it to them for publishing because they welcome stories from all sorts of genres. They follow a maximum word count of 1000 words, so keep that in mind. Before you contact Every Day Fiction, make sure to thoroughly read their submission guidelines so that your story has a better chance of being chosen. Halloween Coming Out by Jeff Switt and There Were No Stars by Heather Rose are two of their top rated stories. You will find this magazine located in Vancouver, Canada.
Are there any other flash fiction collection publishers that should be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
A 22 year old writer from India, Meera Nair has been blogging for over 5 years. She has a triple major Bachelor’s degree in Media, English and Psychology from Christ University Bangalore. She regularly reviews books for publishers like Bloomsbury, Pan Macmillan, Penguin etc. Reading and writing are two of her utmost passions and she is glad to have the opportunity to share that love with others.