The Flash Fiction Market
by C.M. Saunders
Flash fiction has been with us in one form or another for millennia. One could even go so far as to say that people have always written very short stories. However, it wasn't until around a decade ago that it first began to be recognized as a genre unto itself. The problem then was that the parameters governing what can safely be called "flash" fiction and what can't were never firmly established. The rules were as ambiguous as fiction itself. Indeed, the question is still hotly debated, but now that everything has settled down a little, most people are agreed that the term 'flash fiction' should refer to complete pieces of fiction amounting to a total of no more than 1000 words in length, usually considerably less.
As Lori Titus, editor of the acclaimed Flashes in the Dark, succinctly explains: "Our ezine was conceptualized as a place that helps introduce new writers to readers who enjoy a good story but do not have a lot of time to read. With the demands of life always increasing, and our time to get things done always shrinking, flash provides a great respite, a vehicle for the imagination. We want fiction that reaches out and grabs. It can be a gut punch or a passionate kiss, but the reader must feel something."
- Flashes in the Dark
- http://flashesinthedark.com/submission-guidelines/
On the subject of what, exactly, constitutes flash fiction, Mslexia, which champions writing by women from all over the world, says: "This is a new literary form that is growing in popularity, especially on the web. The ideal piece of flash fiction tells a complete story in as few words as possible." Mslexia is one of a growing band of publications that provide potential contributors with a theme or "prompt" on which the submission is to be based.
If the notion of contributor-friendly prompts inspires you, then you may want to check out Flash Fiction Friday, an innovative new web-based community writing project. You are given a bi-weekly prompt in the form of a photograph or the first sentence of a story and the rest is up to you.
- Flash Fiction Friday
- http://www.flashfictionfriday.com/
Traditionally, flash fiction tends to be minimalist in nature and has relied heavily on surprise endings and clever plot twists, an ethos to which some purists still adhere. When writing flash, don't forget that to make your story work there are some hard and fast rules you would be ill-advised to stray from. As we all know most good stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end, yet this feat can be extraordinarily hard to accomplish in 1000 words or less. It's comparatively easy to blather on and on, painting gloriously lush landscapes with your visionary words, but what flash does is eliminate all the filler and trappings. You are brought right back to basics, to arrive in a place where every single word counts. This makes many writers think about the craft in a different way. You are forced to re-evaluate your natural style, and come to realize that making sacrifices is all part of the game. Writing flash fiction is good practice for any writer, but it can be an especially useful exercise for new and emerging scribes. It teaches you to prioritize and get right to the essence of your story quickly. Once the essentials are in place you can 'hang meat off the bones' to your heart's content. Or at least as much as your wordcount allows!
Reflecting the changing tastes of the reading public, there are now a multitude of publications, both print and web-based, that either deal exclusively in the flash medium or generally lean in that direction. Some are genre-specific, while others accept pieces from across the spectrum, purely on the basis of length.
Though virtually every conceivable genre and sub-genre is served by various publications, flash lends itself especially well to contemporary experimental and speculative fiction, and this is reflected by the sheer quantity (and quality) of titles currently available. All those listed below are paying markets.
- Untied Shoelaces of the Mind
- http://www.untiedshoelacesofthemind.com/index.php#Submissions
- Liquid Imagination
- http://www.liquid-imagination.com/Guidelines.html
- Dreams and Nightmares
- http://dreamsandnightmaresmagazine.com/guidelines.htm
It is only a short hop (perhaps through a worm hole or time-warp?) from experimental and speculative fiction to sci-fi, which would explain why this is also such a prominent genre among readers of flash fiction. Again, all those listed below are paying markets.
- Daily Science Fiction
- http://dailysciencefiction.com/submit
- Residential Aliens
- http://www.resaliens.com/submissions/
- Space Squid
- http://www.spacesquid.com/scifi-fantasy-mag/contributorguidelines
The romance market also appears to be... blossoming. Though for some reason the majority of romance titles appear less keen to actually pay for stories of the heart!
- Romance Flash
- http://www.romanceflash.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=110
- Moon Washed Kisses
- http://moonwashedkisses.wordpress.com/submissions/
Perhaps surprisingly there are an increasing number of publications aimed exclusively at young children, and they are open to submissions.
- Highlights for Children
- http://www.highlights.com/contributor-guidelines
- Fun for Kidz, Hopscotch and Boys Quest
- http://funforkidzmagazines.com/writers
Finally, don't forget there are a multitude of regular flash fiction contests and competitions that are open to entries. Many of these events are organized and judged by influential bodies like well-established literary societies and offer the opportunity for massive exposure as well as very good prize money.
Subscribe to an industry newsletter or set up a Google alert to get wind of the very latest ones. Make no mistake, writing effective and successful flash fiction is an art form in itself. It is certainly a challenge. But it can also be rewarding, and darn good fun!
For More Information:
- Flash What? A Quick Look at Flash Fiction - Jason Gurley
- Flashes of Brilliance: Writing Flash Fiction - Joan Popek
- Flashes on the Meridian: Dazzled by Flash Fiction - Pamelyn Casto
C.M. Saunders began writing in Wales in 1997 and hasn't stopped. He has written countless freelance articles as well as three books. Visit his website at: http://www.christiansaunders.co.uk/.
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