5x5 Fiction

5x5 Fiction Presents ISSUE FOUR: Smoke

2012-01-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

Issue Four is live! The theme is Smoke...

Smoke \'smōk\ n
“Something insubstantial, unreal, or transitory;
Something used to conceal or obscure;
To detect and bring to public view; expose or reveal;
Slang: To kill; murder.”
-The American Heritage® Dictionary

ISSUE FOUR: Smoke

Please do take the time to provide feedback here. As always, I want to know what you do and don’t like. At the very least, let these amazing writers, artists/designers know how much you appreciate their work.

-Angel Zapata
1.8.12

5x5 Fiction Issue Four Update

2012-01-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

Wow... a huge, huge thanks to all the folks who answered my call for help regarding cover art, additional stories, and the like. Jesse Campbell has provided a smoking hot cover design and I can't be more pleased! You are going to love it!

At this point, responses have been sent out to all writers included in Issue Four. If you haven't heard back from me yet, your work will be considered for Issue Five.

Due to my hectic schedule, I was unable to release Issue Four during the holiday season. I'm really sorry. And although publication release is now slated for the second week of January, I promise it'll be worth the wait.

Get ready for another smashing issue!

Issue Four submissions closed! and in need of Cover Artist or Graphic Designer

2011-12-14T04:36:00.000-08:00

My thanks to all the writers who sent in those last minute submissions. Issue Four now has its 25 stories. All writers have been contacted. If you haven't recieved an acceptance or rejection from me yet, your submission will be considered for Issue Five.

Also, we are in need of a cover artist, graphic designer, or photographer for the Issue Four cover. And although we don't have money to pay you, we will promote the heck out of you and your work to the best of our ability. If you have the talent, time and desire to provide the help, we can sure use it.

Contact us at loudandclearfiction (at) yahoo.com.

We're still accepting submissions for Issue Four!

2011-12-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

Write 'em and send 'em to me people! Got a handful of open spots for 5x5 Fiction: Issue Four. There's no set theme, so let your muse loose!

And for the love of Mike, read the guidelines...

5x5 Fiction is the Answer to the Short Attention Span

2011-12-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

Have a short attention span? No problem. 5x5 Fiction stories are only 25 words long. Stop by Trestle Press and read my article.

5x5 Fiction: Skillfully Shortening the Short Story

Issue Four Submission Deadline Reminder and More News

2011-11-29T11:37:00.000-08:00

Thursday, December 1st is the deadline for Issue Four of 5x5 Fiction. Get moving, people! And read the guidelines...

Also, this Thursday, I will have a Trestle Press guest blog post entitled, 5x5 Fiction: Skillfully Shortening the Short Story. I'll be blogging, in general, about the short fiction form, a bit about the so-called origin of the 6-word story, and sharing several 5x5 Fiction works that have appeared in our pages from authors: Simon Kewin, Scott Cole, Kevin G. Bufton, Debbi Antebi, and L. Muñoz.

And, as I'm a guest author on Giovanni Gelati's GZone Radio Show on this same day, I'm sure I'll be making mention of 5x5 Fiction as well.

I'll post a link on Thursday.

ADDENDUM (11/30/11):

My 5x5 Fiction blog post will definitely be up at Trestle Press on Thursday, December 1st, but I won't be a guest on GZone until late December or early next year. I was reading from the wrong schedule posting. My bad.

5x5 Fiction Presents ISSUE THREE: Avoidance, Allowance, and Animosity

2011-09-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

Issue Three of 5x5 Fiction is live! Another twenty-five outstanding stories await your eager eyes. You have the option to view the issue online or download the pdf file. If you’ve missed any of our earlier issues, just click the links to your right.

ISSUE THREE: Avoidance, Allowance, and Animosity

Please do take the time to provide feedback here. As always, I want to know what you do and don’t like. At the very least, let these amazing writers know how much you appreciate their work.

-Angel Zapata
9.25.11

ISSUE THREE Update

2011-09-13T05:02:00.000-07:00

At this point, all submission responses have been sent out to authors. Check those inboxes.

Issue Three should be complete and made available within the next two weeks. Get ready for some more outstanding micro goodness!

-Angel

Editing has begun for Issue Three

2011-09-06T04:11:00.000-07:00

WRITERS: Expect to receive a submission response in about a week.Also, I'm looking for an artist and/or graphic artist or photographer to create a cover for this issue's theme. I don't have any money to pay you, but I will promote all of your sites and print/online work. Let me know.Thanks!

ISSUE THREE Deadline is midnight tonight!

2011-09-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

You have until midnight tonight to submit work for 5x5 Fiction: Issue Three consideration. Get those pens moving!! And be sure to read the guidelines...

5x5 Fiction ISSUE THREE reminder

2011-08-03T03:57:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, 5x5 Fiction is always open to submissions. Quarterly deadlines are March 1st, June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st. Work accepted after deadline dates will appear in the following issue.

Also, please read the guidelines, ISSUE ONE and ISSUE TWO to truly understand what I'm looking for. Surprisingly, I still get submissions that are not exactly 25 words or 5 sentences or 5 words per sentence.

On a positive note, I'm receiving some powerful little gems from some ridiculously talented authors. ISSUE THREE is gonna be a knock-out.

-Angel

5x5 Fiction presents ISSUE TWO: Secrets, Scuffles and Surprises

2011-06-10T17:50:00.000-07:00

Once again it’s my pleasure to present you with another spectacular issue of 5x5 Fiction. Get ready for some familiar names alongside some new blood. You have the option to view the issue online or download the pdf file.

ISSUE TWO: Secrets, Scuffles and Surprises

Please do take the time to provide feedback here. I want to know what you do and don’t like. At the very least, let these amazing writers know how much you appreciate their work.

-Angel Zapata
6.11.11

5x5 Fiction ISSUE TWO Update...and more

2011-06-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

At this point, responses have been sent out to all writers who submitted work for Issue Two. So check those mailboxes.

We're looking at a release date of on or before June 11th. Mark those calendars and spread the word. The Issue Two theme is...

...you'll just have to wait and see. Aw, don't you hate that?

Regarding submission guidelines, there will be two changes. One: submissions will be accepted year round without a cut-off date. Quarterly deadlines will be March 1st, June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st. Work accepted after deadline dates will appear in the following issue. Two: I will accept up to 5 works per e-mail (no need to send 5 separate e-mails anymore).

What else?

Oh, yes. Submission guidelines exist for a reason. I am, by nature, flexible. As many of you know, I am more than willing to work with you on editing and revising your work. I want you to succeed and see your work published. But, as of this day forward, if you send me work that doesn't adhere to the guidelines (i.e. wrong word count, more or less than 5 sentences, sentences with more or less than 5 words, multiple spelling errors...yes, this is happening!), I will unleash the claw on you. For those of you unaware of the claw...it tells me you haven't read the guidelines!...god help ya!

Anyway, I can't wait to show you this issue!

5x5 Fiction Submissions are Officially Closed…BUT…

2011-06-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

5x5 Fiction submissions are officially closed, BUT as I won’t begin editing ISSUE TWO until this weekend, I am willing to consider submissions until midnight June 3rd. That means if you missed the deadline, it now has been extended until this Friday. That gives you 2 more days to create a masterpiece! But don't forget to read the guidelines.

This also means that at some time next week acceptances and rejections will be sent out.

For those curious, I rarely read any of the submissions prior to the deadline close. This allows me to review the entire body work individually and as a collective. Usually, this increases the chance I’ll accept a writer’s work.

Of course, this also increases the chance I won’t have enough accepted submissions for the latest issue. Hmm, I’ll cross that bridge as it comes.

I’ll continue to keep you posted.

-Angel

Submissions Open for Issue Two of 5x5 Fiction

2011-05-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

A quick reminder: Issue Two submissions for 5x5 Fiction are open until May 31st, 2011. Don't miss the deadline. Get those fingers tapping.

There's been some very sparkling gems sent to me, and I can't wait to show them all to you.

Guidelines can be found here.

-Angel

P.S. And if you haven't read Issue One, you can find the link to it in the column to your right.

5x5 Fiction presents ISSUE ONE: Murder, Monsters and Misfortune

2011-03-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

At long last, it is my honor to present the premier issue of 5x5 Fiction, Stories Told Loud and Clear.

ISSUE ONE: Murder, Monsters and Misfortune

(You can view the Google.doc link and/or download the pdf to your computer.)

Please do take the time to provide feedback here. I want to know what you do and don’t like. At the very least, let these amazing writers know how much you appreciate their work.

-Angel Zapata
3.11.11

UPDATE: 5x5 editing is complete. Issue One is around the corner

2011-03-11T04:31:00.000-08:00

Let me first say, thank you to all the writers and readers who anxiously await the release of the premier issue. I know you’re going to be thrilled by the quality and passion of work.

The editing is finally complete. Right now I’m working on formatting, and hopefully there will be a smattering of complimentary pics alongside a few select stories. I’ve also determined that each issue will include 25 stories, one of which will be featured as the “5x5 Spotlight.” This spotlight will highlight one author’s work on the opening page.

Bear with me just a little while longer.

It’s worth the wait.

-Angel Zapata
3.11.11

5x5 Fiction submissions are closed! Review process has begun

2011-02-28T04:37:00.000-08:00

The official review process has begun.

I want to thank all of the writers who have submitted work. You not only accepted my challenge, you exceeded all my expectations. I’ve received some really thought-provoking, punch-in-the-gut pieces.

Now for the meat and potatoes…

Acceptances and rejections will be coming posthaste to your inboxes. Let me say this: rejecting work, especially from writers I’ve come to know and respect, isn’t an easy task. But it’s necessary in order to present the highest quality work for the reader based on the criteria summarized in the guidelines. Of course this is based solely on my own opinion.

Please remember, as this is a new form, the first issue will hopefully clarify exactly what I’m looking for. So please submit again.

I’m still in the process of determining presentation of the first issue. My preference is to offer it as a free downloadable pdf file vs. posting it directly into the blog. I’ll keep you posted.

My sincere thanks to you all,
Angel Zapata

5x5 Fiction, Stories Told Loud and Clear: A Preview

2010-12-22T19:46:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying, I don’t intend for this e-zine to become a platform for my own work. I’m solely interested in seeing what the writing community can produce under such tight constraints. That being said, I’ve had many writers ask me what it is I’m specifically looking for. The best way to explain it is to provide examples. Remember, I’m not looking for writers to emulate my style (nor do I feel any of these examples are fantastic). No. But please be original, AND do follow the guidelines. Any further questions, please feel free to contact me at loudandclearfiction (at) yahoo (dot) com.

The 5x5 Fiction Preview

At the Park Fountain
By Angel Zapata

My name’s Penny, she sobbed. Like the coin, I thought. She was allowed one wish. Don’t kill me, she begged. I held her head down.

A Matter of Insurance
By Angel Zapata

Daniel received an anonymous e-mail. Gonna kill you, it read. Try it, asshole, he responded. The bullet entered his head. His wife destroyed all evidence.

The Inhabitants
By Angel Zapata

Their spacecraft landed at night. At first, we were frightened. But eventually we overcame fear. We entered their ventilation system. The human cargo was delicious.

Angel has little to say.

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

2010-12-11T15:20:00.000-08:00

Updated 6.6.11

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.

Submissions are accepted year round. 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