Submission Guidelines & Upcoming Themes
Please Read Before Submitting!
The Genre and Word Count
Creative nonfiction of 500 words or less. No exceptions; we’re serious about this one.
The Themes (Updated July 2026)
Please submit according to each month’s theme. Submissions must be previously unpublished. Only one submission per author for each theme.
Upcoming themes and submission links are below.
The links to all themes will become active at 10:00 AM on the first of that month.
June 2026: RECIPES
July 2026: COURAGE
August 2026: SURPRISE
— No submissions in September—
October 2026: WANDERLUST
As a subscriber to In a Flash, you will receive an updated list of submission calls in every issue.
The Timeline (Updated June 2026)
Submission links will be open from 10:00 AM EST on the first of every month for which a theme has been publicized. Submission links close on the fifteenth of the month at 11:59 PM EST.
The Submission (Updated June 2026)
Each month, a unique link for that month’s theme opens a Google Form with all the information we require. We do recommend, for formatting integrity, that you put an extra space between each paragraph when you submit the form. You will be able to access the Google Form links in the following places:
At the top of this pinned “Submission Guidelines” post
In each of our issues (subscribe so you don’t miss them!)
Via Substack Notes throughout each submission period
Please note that if you click on the link outside of the submission window, it will read “this form is not currently accepting submissions.”
Of course, you can still email us with questions and concerns at InAFlashLitMag(at)gmail.com; however, we will no longer be accepting submissions there. Please do not expect a response to your piece if you submit via email.
Submissions will be read blind by our lead editor.
If your piece is accepted, you will also be asked for the following:
Answers to a few questions for our Q&A
A high-quality headshot and brief bio
Social media handles/links
We’re eager to give you the spotlight!
The author of the accepted piece will also receive a $25 honorarium for their work.
Oh, And One More Thing…
Hey, it’s only 500 words. Don’t use A.I. You’re better than that.
The Editorial Board
Our five co-editors will take turns serving as Editor-in-Chief throughout the year. Please click our links to follow us individually.
Ready? Set? GO!
We can’t wait to read your work!
I love writing flash and can't wait to submit! THANK YOU to the editors for creating this space!
Kudos! Wonderful project! Congrats to all for launching. I already have a piece in mind - waiting for the corresponding theme.