Where to submit microfiction

Before we get into where to submit microfiction, maybe we should first explain what we mean by the term. Microfiction is a subset of flash fiction. There’s no real agreement on just how short a story needs to be to qualify as “micro” – some definitions set the upward limit at 100 words, some at 300, and some as high as 500. One relatively well-established category of microfiction is the drabble, which is a story of exactly 100 words or no more than 100 words – depending on who you’re asking.

Since microfiction was one of the formats covered in our recent flash fiction course we decided it was about time for a list of publishers who appreciate this super succinct form. We looked for magazines and journals that focus on the 50- to 500-word range or that explicitly welcome microfiction. Unless otherwise noted they don’t charge fees and are OK with simultaneous submissions. Many of the magazines on our list also accept creative nonfiction and/or poetry (see bold text).  The list is ordered very roughly by acceptance rate – from high to low.

Note: We are a creative writing school and compile these lists for the benefit of our students. We’re happy to answer questions about our courses but please don’t send us your publishing queries or submissions :). Instead, click on the green links to go to the publication’s website and look for their submissions page. For more great places to submit as well as our best tips on getting published, check out our other lists and resources.

 

Scribes*MICRO*Fiction is an online monthly for drabbles, including creative nonfiction. They also accept poetry. They prefer stories of exactly 100 words but will forgive 10 words over or under. The editors ask for 2 months to make a decision and often respond much sooner.

50-Word Stories publishes one or two new stories of exactly 50-words each weekday online. Each month the editor selects a top story, whose author receives bragging rights and a $10 prize. The editor tries to make a decision within a month but sometimes takes a bit longer.

The Drabble, as the name suggests, publishes stories (creative nonfiction too) of 100 words or fewer. Also occasionally, poetry. They do not accept simultaneous submissions. The editors try to make a decision within 2 months but sometimes take a bit longer.

101 Words is, as you probably guessed, devoted to stories of exactly 101 words. They publish new stories each weekday on their website. They also publish Flash Fiction Magazine Anthology in print and ebook formats. If your story is selected for the Anthology, you will be paid $10. They usually respond within 2 or 3 months.

Micofiction Monday Magazine is an online monthly featuring stories of 100 words or less. They ask for 6 weeks to make a decision and often respond in fewer.

Martian publishes a new sci-fi drabble (defined as exactly 100 words) each Monday online and an annual print edition. They pay 8 cents per word for original fiction and 4 for reprints. They have set reading periods throughout the year. The editors will try to make a decision within 2 weeks and usually succeed.

100 Word Story features stories (creative nonfiction too) of exactly 100 words. In addition to their regular online publication, they hold a contest each month based on a photo prompt. Winning pieces are published on their main page. They charge a $2 fee for regular submissions; posts for the contest are free. The editors are usually able to make a decision within four months and often respond sooner.

Cloudbank is a print annual of microfiction (up to 500 words) and poetry. There is a $3 submissions fee, which covers up to 5 stories or poems. The editors are usually able to make a decision within 3 or 4 months.

Whale Road Review is an online quarterly that publishes fiction and creative nonfiction of up to 500 words as well as poetry. The editors are usually able to make a decision within a couple of months.

Red Lemon Review just launched in 2021 and to date has already managed to put out 4 online issues. They’re looking for microfiction of up to 350 words and poetry that depicts “the mundane through a unique lens.” The editors try to make a decision within 2 weeks and usually succeed.

Burningword Literary Journal is dedicated to showcasing emerging writers. They publish fiction and creative nonfiction of up to 500 words (they like the 300 to 500 range) and poetry in quarterly print, digital and online editions. The editors are usually able to make a decision within a couple of months.

Citron Review is an online quarterly of flash fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. They explicitly welcome microfiction, which they define as 100 words or less. They are open for submissions most of the year, except December/January, but may close briefly if their monthly cap is reached. The editors usually respond within a couple of months but sometimes take a bit longer.

The Literary Bohemian is a Czechia-based online quarterly. They publish established and emerging writers from all over the world and like work that is “inspired by real or imagined places.” You can send in your microfiction of up to 350 words (what they call “postcard fiction”) and poetry of up to 100 lines. Issues may be themed. The editors try to make a decision within 3 months but occasionally take a little longer.

Rhino Poetry is a well-respected annual print journal featuring (no surprise) poetry, but also fiction and creative nonfiction of up to 500 words. They are open for submissions from 1 March to 30 June. Submit early in the month, because they will temporarily close once their monthly cap is reached. The editors are usually able to make a decision within 3 or 4 months.

miCRo is a weekly online series published by the Cincinnati Review, which is consistently ranked among the top 50 US literary magazines. They accept fiction and creative nonfiction (up to 500 words) and poetry (up to 32 lines). The editors are generally able to make a decision within a couple of months.