Submission Guidelines

New Flash Fiction Review publishes four issues each year. We publish fiction. One of the annual issues includes the winners and honorable mentions from our annual flash fiction contest.

For #42, we have an ekphrastic challenge. Please submit one story that is inspired by one of the following three photographs by NFFR fiction and photography editor Louella Lester.

We’ll be accepting submissions from July 15, 2026, through July 31, 2026.

Black-and-white photograph of a mannequin head with short dark hair styled in two small pigtails, resting on a wooden surface. A corrugated metal wall fills the background, with metal chairs visible on either side. The scene has an industrial, workshop-like feel.
Black-and-white street-level photograph of a divided storefront. On the left, “Moxley’s Rentals” advertises carpet shampooers, floor sanders, knife sharpening, and photo copies. On the right, “Oriental Bowl Chinese Food” offers pickup and delivery. Signs for key cutting and moving supplies fill the windows. A street lamp and sidewalk anchor the foreground.
Black and white photo of a person in black shorts and sandles laying on the ground partially obscured by a building.

GUIDELINES

  • Please note that all of our readings are anonymous, so please do not have any author information in your document, including as the file name, or we will have to reject it in fairness to the other writers.
  • We invite you to submit one flash.
  • The maximum word count is 500 words.
  • We don’t accept previously published material.
  • Submissions only via Submittable.
  • Simultaneous submits are cool, just do us the courtesy to withdraw your work if needed.

Include a cover letter that contains an originality pledge in your letter that affirms that your work is your own and that AI was not used in its creation. Also, please provide a brief bio.

As editors always say, read the magazine for a sense of what we like. We value your trust in sending us your work.

Happy writing! And we’re looking forward to reading your flash fictions inspired by the photographs.

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