Submissions Guidelines

Now open for submissions!

We are open for submissions for Issue 5 from October 1 through November 12, 2026.

Issue 5 theme: Burning the candle at both ends

Please follow the submissions guidelines listed below.

Hot Flash Literary accepts previously unpublished flash, both fiction and creative nonfiction, including prose poetry (no lined poetry!), from writers who identify as women. Writers can submit up to three (3) pieces at one time. Each individual piece must be fewer than 500 words.

No reprints.

Human-generated content only (no AI).

To submit, send up to three (3) pieces pasted into the body of an email. We won’t open attachments. Email us at hotflasheditor@gmail.com.

The subject of the email should include the word “submission” and your name. Example: Submission—Jane Smith.

Please include a 40-word (maximum) bio written in third person.

Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know promptly if accepted elsewhere.

We will not publish pieces that are hateful or bigoted.

Hot Flash Literary does not charge a submission fee, but we encourage you to support the journal through donations. All submissions are thoughtfully read and carefully considered, regardless of donation.