Opportunity Knocks

MrBF1V3

MrBF1V3

aka. Stephen B5 Jones
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
2,429
Okay writers, and maybe especially flash fiction people, I came across this in my travels, and thought it would be nice to share.

Flash Me Magazine announces its first Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror issue: Instead of doing our usual all-fantasy issue this year, we'll be publishing a combination issue on October 31, 2010. All stories submitted for the S/F/H issue must contain some element of science fiction, fantasy, horror, or any combination of those genres and be 1,000 words or less. The S/F/H Issue submission period begins April 30, 2010 and ends August 31, 2010. Special guidelines apply, and we will not be accepting simultaneous submissions for this issue. Please see the S/F/H submission guidelines for complete details.
Click to expand...

the above is from here:
http://www.wingedhalo.com/new.html

You can follow the link for the guidelines. Note that I haven't done a lot of research on this market, but I have read some of their stories. Approach with the usual amount of caution.

Good luck,

B5
 
I've submitted there once in the past few months... and I'd highly recommend them. I really liked their submission process: You'll get feedback from 4-6 reviewers (only 1-3 lines each, but that's 1-3 more lines than you get from most anywhere else) along with their yes, maybe, or no votes (you can check out their guidlines for specific details). I was fortunate enough to get a rewrite request for my one flash stories, but then managed to make the revised version worse somehow :).

By the way, for those flash folks who particpated in the "superpower" themed flash fiction contest over last summer, you can check this out:
http://www.thismutantlife.com/

The market is under 6 months old, but the editor seems to be very committed (and is a real nice guy to boot).
 
Hey, thanks guys. I will 'try' them out. All they can say is no, right?

I have a question. If a story gets rejected from a particular outfit, do you think it would be wise to send another story? If they rejected one story, does that mean they don't like your style of writing or that particular story? Would they be offended if you kept sending stuff? (Different stuff, of course.)
 
Unknown tmso, but on occasion I've recieved rejections in which the editor specifically said I should feel free to submit to them again, in those cases I take it for granted that I should feel free to submit to them again. I kind of count that as an indicator that my writing has improved--I used to get letters that said 'thank you for your submission, next time send a story.' (Okay, not exactly those words, most editors are nice people who don't want to be mean, but there was the one time...)

Absent specific comments positive or negative, it's kind of a toss up, but I think if they get offended with you sending more stories, it's up to them to say so.

Anyway Sterling, thanks for the recommendation (you know I had to say it). I figure enough of us have been writing flash stories for a while, and getting comments, surely there are a few out there edited and ready to be submitted.

B5
 
Looking at the website they actually address how many submissions they'll take at a time. For the S/F/H edition they only want one and no more. For their usual fantasy editions it looks like they accept two pending at any given time. If one gets rejected you can put in another, if one gets accepted though they want you to hold off replacing it in the 'pool'. Well... that's what I read anyway...
 
I hadn't read their submission guidelines yet. Thanks, Diane! I'll check it 'em out and inundate them with all my crap, oh no, I mean, stuff.
;)
 
tmso said:
I have a question. If a story gets rejected from a particular outfit, do you think it would be wise to send another story? If they rejected one story, does that mean they don't like your style of writing or that particular story? Would they be offended if you kept sending stuff? (Different stuff, of course.)
Click to expand...

A rejection of your story is simply that: A rejection of that particular story. They will not take offense to you sending something else.

For example: I've had two stories rejected at Flash Fiction Online in a matter of days, only for the 3rd story to make it all the way to the final round of their selection process (where, unfortunetly, it too was rejected... but I was damn close, and I'm still proud of that).


Btw, if I can offer any more help (such as it is), here are a few other flash fiction dedicated sites:

Flash Fiction Online
Brain Harvest
Everyday Weirdness
Everyday Fiction
Golden Visions Magazine
Vestal Review
Space Squid
The Shrine Journal

Take in mind that there are many, many, many 'zines that accept flash fiction (do a search on www.duotrope.com... you'll find well over 100 paying markets that accept flash), but these are just a few that either deal ONLY in flash, or are very flash heavy, that I've found over the last few months. Of the flash specific sites, Flash Fiction Online is the Pro-Payment one.

Another interesting option is here: Pill Hill Press

These guys, normally, are a paying market for themed anthologies of short story length (I believe SFFWorld member Jennifer P appeared in a recent one)... however they're currently running 3 different "For the Love" (ie, no payment) flash fiction anthologies. The "no contributor copy" isn't too swell, but, as most flash fiction leaning 'zines are online only... this could be a very cool way to see your name in print.
 
Some moron did a short story publishing 'How to' writeup:

http://speculativebookreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/zero-to-published-in-12-meandering.html

Shameless self plug aside, for my first ever real blog 'article', I think it came out alright. I am, in no means, claiming to be some sort of expert on the matter (and certainly am not even anywhere close to making a pro sale yet)... just the perspective of a guy who's been submitting for a few months now.

That aside, the site is run by a group of SFFWorld members (I know Nickeecoco and PeterWilliam from the flash contests, and I believe Yagiz is another member...) and is really well done... if nothing else, check out the plethora of great authors they've interviewed thus far.
 
Rich, dude, you're gonna kick me for showing you this:

I’m not about to tell you how to write; the fact is, I’m still working on part that myself.
Click to expand...

Was that deliberate? If so, ignore me.

Anyway, I read the article. Informative and funny. Keep up the great work, Rich...and don't leave us! We need you! :D
 
tmso said:
Rich, dude, you're gonna kick me for showing you this:



Was that deliberate? If so, ignore me.

Anyway, I read the article. Informative and funny. Keep up the great work, Rich...and don't leave us! We need you! :D
Click to expand...

Haha... no, that line is, hilariously, not-deliberate. I'm going to blame it on midnight and scotch #2.

It has been fixed :)
 
Just thought I'd bump this up, as the submissions are now open for the Flash Me S/F/H issue.
 
Diane said:
Looking at the website they actually address how many submissions they'll take at a time. For the S/F/H edition they only want one and no more. For their usual fantasy editions it looks like they accept two pending at any given time. If one gets rejected you can put in another, if one gets accepted though they want you to hold off replacing it in the 'pool'. Well... that's what I read anyway...
Click to expand...

Actually, we accept two submissions at a time for either the S/F/H issue or the regular issues. Each submission in a separate email. When a submission is rejected, you may submit another one, but if one is accepted or held for voting, that limits you to only one other submission for that quarter.

We do encourage other submissions if we reject one of your stories. We hope our feedback helps you not only grow as a writer, but also learn what the editors at Flash Me Magazine prefer to publish, and we encourage writers to keep sending us stories until we find a match - and beyond.

We review submissions blind (names are removed from the submissions) so we don't show favoritism, but we're thrilled when we see familiar names in our issues as the end of each quarter. So keep submitting even if you get published once.

Now that we've increased our pay rates to $25 per story and $50 for our Feature Story, we'll be publishing fewer stories. It'll be harder to make it past the editors, but the I hope the feedback alone will be worth the effort.

I'd like to thank Sterling13 for inviting me to join in your discussion, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. I'd also like to offer a free PDF subscription to anyone who emails me the the correct answer to this question:

Why did I start Flash Me Magazine?

The answer is on the magazine's website at http://www.flashmemagazine.com on the "About Us" page and all answers should be sent to me using the "Contact Us" link at the top of the magazine's web page. Be sure to include your name and email address where you'd like the subscription to be sent.

Thank you,
Jennifer Dawson
Editor-in-Chief, Flash Me Magazine
http://www.flashmemagazine.com
 
Ahhh Ms. Dawson, I see you've fallen into my trap - er - so nice of you to drop by :)

I think you'll be seeing a more than few submissions by us forum-goers over the next few weeks (you've been warned).

I do have a question regarding your thoughts on what constitutes a reprint.

I know a few of us are planning on submitting stories that were once posted in the password protected "Stories" sub-forum on this site (not to be confused with the "Stories" section in the site's header, which is visible to everyone) for feedback. It is my understanding that stories posted in a publically accessable website location (personal or otherwise) are normally (normally) considered to have given up their 'First Electronic Publication Rights' and fall under the reprint category (again... normally), whereas those posted in a private or password protected forum are spared the 'reprint' tag.

Considering that any stories sent to your magazine would be removed from the password protected Stories sub-forum (and edited) prior to submission... would said stories be considered a reprint by Flash Me Magazine?

It's not a big issue either way (per your guidelines, you do accept reprints as long as the author provides full disclosure up-front), I was just curious (as I find the whole 'reprint' topic varies a lot from publication to publication).


A much more succinct Question #2: Is the S/F/H issue taking the place of the normal October issue?
 
I (kind of) echo Sterling 13. Thanks for dropping by jdawson and for the information. Sterling is right, at least on one count, after one more last minute edit I will be sending something your way, I would be surprised if I were the only one. The possiblity of meaningful feedback is a nice bonus.

The whole idea of the protected stories subsection was to preserve the publishability of the stories we write, for example, for the flash fiction story contests. On the other hand, thanks to continued participation in those, I can come up with a fairly good story in a couple of days (which also needs a last minute edit).

Luck, And more, to all who are submitting. Give 'em your best.

B5
 
mmm, I think I will submit two of my stories, but they need one or two editing passes.

This could be interesting.
 
Sterling13 said:
#1: What constitutes a reprint.

#2: Is the S/F/H issue taking the place of the normal October issue?
Click to expand...

My answers will be a bit curt (apologies, but I typed something up and the computer ate it):

#1: If it was on a password protected site, it is NOT a reprint. If it was on a public website or blog, in its entirety (though why you would want to do that, I don't know), it IS a reprint.

Keep in mind, though, that at Flash Me Magazine being a reprint will not hinder nor help your chances of being published. All stories are reviewed blind, so we don't know who you are or if your story is a reprint until after we've accepted it.

#2: Yes, the S/F/H issue will be in place of our usual October 31, 2010 issue. It's become a bit of a tradition to do a special issue in October.

We're looking forward to the submissions!
JDawson
 
It is really neat that you came here to answer questions for us. I'm thinking of getting something ready to submit and am thankful there is a lengthy deadline. :) My biggest goal is improving my writing so submitting stories and getting feedback is the biggest help to me right now.
 
Some more questions

Miss Dawson,

I read the posts about what constitutes a reprint, but I did not completely understand. For the sake of clearness:

Where do you place our stories section on this website?

If you feel that this constitutes a published work, how do you feel about edited versions and/or removal from the stories section?

Thanks in advance:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsors


We try to keep the forum as free of ads as possible, please consider supporting SFFWorld on Patreon


Your ad here.
Back
Top