5x5 Fiction Closes its Doors

This is difficult to write. I wanted nothing more than to get another issue of 5x5 Fiction out into the world, but it appears it won’t be happening. There simply weren’t enough quality submissions to go forward with Issue Five.

I place the blame solely on myself as I wasn’t able to promote the submission calls via social networks like I did for the previous issues. I’ve just been too busy and a bit overwhelmed.

I apologize to all of the writers who sent me their beautifully penned babies for Issue Five consideration. Please know I respect your work too much to put forth an issue I don’t 100% believe in. I know your work will find the welcome arms of another publication.

I’m very happy and proud of the writing that has appeared here at 5x5 Fiction. There have been four superb issues I will forever treasure. At this point, I don’t have the necessary time or energy to devote to this site and will be placing 5x5 Fiction on indefinite hiatus.

If there’s someone out there who would like to pick up the 5x5 editing mantle and run with it, I’m all for it.

READERS: I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support you’ve given to me and all the authors who have been published here.

WRITERS: I encourage you to continue writing 5x5 Fiction pieces. Submit to other flash fiction sites. Keep the form alive.

-Angel Zapata

7/17/12

Submissions are currently closed

SUBMISSIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED.

All of the submissions we received for 5x5 Fiction: Issue Five are under review.

A blog post announcement will be made when we are once again accepting work for the next issue.

AN EROTIC UPDATE: 5x5 Fiction Issue Five and Submission Call

I’m on the tail end of reviewing submissions for our special erotic fiction issue. Writers, expect a response by this weekend.

All-in-all, submissions were few and slow in coming (forgive the pun), but the quality was stellar. That said, I’m still short on word count. Each issue of 5x5 contains exactly 25 stories = 625 words total . Right now, I’m coming up short. In order to give you more bang for your buck (don’t worry, I’m still giving it away for free)… I’m going to re-open submissions for a period of one week.

What am I looking for?

You have one week to create either a 50-, 75-, or 100-word erotic story. I’m loosely dubbing these double, triple, and quadruple 5x5’s.

Rules?

Disregard the 5 word, 5 sentence structure and send in your best 50-, 75-, or 100-word erotic story. That’s it. The only catch? It must be exactly one of the aforementioned word count lengths and it must be your very best. That’s it. Write it, proofread it, and send it in the body of your e-mail to loudandclearfiction (at) yahoo (dot) com.

I’ll be closing this call either a week from today, June 11th, 2012 or the moment I reach my 625 word issue total.

Let’s do it, people. And please Facebook, tweet, blog about this. Hell, scribble the website address on bathroom stalls. Whatever you can do.


To be clear: I'm looking for erotic fiction not porn or smut. My 100-word story, The Robotics of Sex, which appeared in Erotica Quarterly last year may help to provide an example.

The Robotics of Sex

By Angel Zapata

Felicia tells me that all men are robots.

I slide my fingertip against the touch screen of my heart and launch a more suitable program.

She tells me that once, while away in college, she shared software with a girl in her science class. “Her character was of no particular font,” she recollects. “And she was a control freak. I quickly pushed escape.”

I remind her I was created for pleasure, nothing more.

“I know,” she says sadly, stroking my keys. “I do possess such a passion for hardware.” She removes her clothes.

As I lean forward, she hits enter.

Copyright © 2011 Angel Zapata

Call for Submissions: 5x5 Erotica

I’ve reviewed all the work recieved for this quarter, but was unable to glean twenty-five stories from the pool of submissions. So, rather than extend the deadline and ask for writers to send in more work, I’m going to do something different. I’m going to provide a theme ahead of time for Issue Five. Drum roll, if you please.

5x5 Fiction Issue Five
Theme: Erotica

That’s right, I’m looking for 25-word stories of erotica told in five sentences of five words each. Oh, and please read the guidelines (pretty please, with sugar on top), and the past four issues. Remember, I want complete stories, not poems or a bunch a feelings without substance.

Notice I said “erotica,” not porn. I’m not looking for a string of filthy words or throbbing members (at least not here and now). Give me the suggestive, the emotive; let me slip inside (so to speak) the characters and experience their desires.

I’m so excited. You know, in a non-sexual way.

Deadline is June 1st, 2012.

Please spread the word on all those Facebook and Twitter accounts.

-Angel
3/7/12

5x5 Issue Five UPDATE

I'm in the process of reviewing submissions. I think my editor eye has slowly grown more critical. Thus far, very few acceptances.

I may have to opt for a Plan B on this issue...

Stay tuned.

5x5 Fiction Presents ISSUE FOUR: Smoke

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

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!