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

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.

ISSUE THREE Update

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

5x5 Fiction ISSUE TWO Update...and more

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…

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

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 submissions are closed! Review process has begun

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 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