Saturday, December 11, 2010

5x5 Fiction: Stories Told Loud and Clear now accepting submissions

Updated 6.12.12

SUBMISSIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED. A blog post announcement will be made when we are once again accepting work for review.


5 by 5 Fiction: Stories Told Loud and Clear is a quarterly flash fiction e-zine.

I’m looking for exceptional stories to shout from rooftops. Complete stories (not rantings or poems) must be exactly 25 words long, told in exactly 5 sentences, with each sentence comprised of exactly 5 words. Read ISSUE ONE because it's amazing and it'll help you understand exactly what I'm looking for.

Quarterly deadlines are March 1st, June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st. Work accepted after deadline dates will appear in the following issue.

Any variation from these short, sweet, strict guidelines won’t even be considered. All genres are welcome. Write it, proofread it, and send it in the body of your e-mail to loudandclearfiction (at) yahoo (dot) com. Subject line should read: 5x5_Story Title_Author's Name.

I only ask for one time publishing rights. Otherwise, all rights remain with the author. And don’t even think about plagiarizing, ‘cause you will be found out and prosecuted to the full extent of the claw. That’s right, I said “claw.” As in having your eyes clawed out. I’m deadly serious. For reals.

I have no money, so won’t be giving any away as payment. Sorry, wish I did have money for you. Hell, I wish I had money for me.

But how do I style my work, Angel?

As you would any story. I don’t want to see your work broken into poetic verses. I love poetry, but don’t want to have any submitted for this venue. Yeah, really. For God’s sake, didn’t you read the bit about the claw?

How many stories can I submit for an issue?

No more than five. I will accept up to 5 works per e-mail.

Should I provide a bio?

Yes. Make it exactly 5 words (and yeah, that includes your name). You can provide a link to your website or blog and I’ll hyperlink it to your name, so it doesn’t count toward your 5 words.

Okay.

Am I making myself loud and clear?

Then get going.

-Angel Zapata, editor
December 11, 2010

34 comments:

  1. Wow, totally wow, wow, wow. This is really very cool. A rad and bad idea. Yes, much awesomeness here, much. Gonna do it, you'll see.

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  2. What Jodi said. LOL! Looks fantastic, Angel. I'll be working on some stuff. Best wishes with it, mate. You won't need it though!

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  3. Great idea. That's some challenge.

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  4. Chemistry suddenly seems easy now. I'm afraid of the claw. Rejection by an Angel...ouch! But risk brings prosperous beginnings. What the hell, I'm in.

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  5. Claw sounds so mighty painful. It certainly makes its point. Sharp like its protagonist creator. And what a celebrated lot! OH YES - she signed up.

    ~ Absolutely*Kate

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  6. Rock on. This kind of challenge gets my juices going. Cool site Angel, and great idea. I'll be sending stuff.

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  7. Hmm - tempting me....what's the deadline?

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  8. Angel,something new. After the holidays you will be swamped with 5x5's. Mine included.
    Sounds like funnnnnn.

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  9. Glad to see so many great writers up for a challenge.

    Right now, there's no deadline. I'm more interested in collecting a superior quality of work before publishing the first issue. I'm thinking 25 accepted stories split into 5 chapters/genres/categories...all subjective to what you lot of creative minds can churn out.

    As I get close to closing submissions for the quarter, I will definitely tweet and blog deadline date for all to see.

    All acceptances and rejections (yes, there may in fact be some) will go out after submission period is closed and all work from every author has been reviewed.

    -Angel

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  10. I'm in - and always up for a challenge.
    KM

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  11. Submission submitted, challenge/challenger admired.

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  12. Can't stop thinking about this Angel. Do you want a full story or will a vignette work?

    Any good examples already?

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  13. Five sentences of five words? Seems it should be easy.Then again, who really knows? I'll just ask The Axis. That worked for Jimi Hendrix.

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  14. Lovin', lovin', lovin' Trev again. All you guys rock aces! Anticipation for Angel's creation high. Hark that herald Angel *zing*. Peace, JOY and Christmas, Writers.

    ~ Absolutely*Kate (so fortunate to know and groove with your minds and spunk)

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  15. I may be looking right at it, but where do I submit?

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  16. How hard can it be? Five sentences, five words each. "I'm on it!" I declared. Searched brain for ideas...nothing. Resolved to get new brain.

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  17. Great idea, Angel! Once my brain comes back I'll go for it. (I've been sick)

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  18. I like this too. I just love tiny fiction. How cool is this?

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  19. Trying to come up with something good for you, Angel.

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  20. As a graphic appreciator of reading IMPACT, Angel, I meant to mention ~ your background on this site certainly underscores your concept.

    BE SQUARE AND BE THERE.

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  21. I am totally impressed by this blog. I will be trying this!

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  22. You could post this on my forum in the Open Submissions section if you were so inclined.

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  23. Will give this a go because well...it does sound different, although that 'claw' thing sounds scary

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  24. This is awesome Angel! I will definitely have a try!

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  25. oh yeas, can't wait to write a 5x5.

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  26. I am so nervous. I submitted three stories, but now I feel my email was a bit impersonal and rude. Sorry if it came across that way Angel, can't wait for Issue Three!

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  27. Hello, Angel.
    This is a very interesting challenge. I might try to play.

    I see the first three issues where themed.
    Do you have a theme established for the next issue(s) or is this something that you work out depending on the submissions?

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  28. Hey Spaced,

    I'm glad you're intrigued. Yes, themes are worked out based on submissions. So go ahead and create whatever your heart desires.

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  29. Hi, this is the first time i have wrote a story. I would like to know how to submit my short story.

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  30. This sounds like fun. I'm currently doing a 10x10 theme for the April A to Z Blog Challenge. Just sent you two submissions and adding you to my blog reading list.

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