A HORROR WRITING CONTEST

July 15-17

48-HOUR SUBMISSION WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED!

Submissions are open now, July 15 at 10AM EDT and will close in 48 hours on July 17 at 10AM EDT. No submissions will be accepted before or after the open window.

Genre: BODY HORROR

Theme: BICYCLES

Write a BODY HORROR flash fiction story, 500-1000 words (FIRM LIMITS) that fits the theme “BICYCLES”. We are open to any interpretation of the theme.

Please keep reading for full guidelines!

(Please note: “Flash on the Fly” means flash fiction written quickly & without much preparation. It does not mean flash fiction about The Fly.)

• Stories should be previously unpublished, written in standard manuscript format, and sent as a .docx file attachment

• Name your .docx file with your story title and your last name, then attach it to the email.
• In the subject box, type: SUBMISSION, YOUR STORY TITLE, & YOUR LAST NAME.
• Send to flashonthefly@gmail.com

Stories will be judged on adherence to the theme, quality of storytelling, and originality. Given the speedy nature of this challenge, minimal judging will be based on minor spelling errors and typos.

• We will aim to select a winner within 3 weeks of the closing deadline and will announce the winner publicly on our website and across social media.
• Due to the fast turnaround of this contest, only the author of the winning story will receive a response.
• The author of the winning story will receive $50.00 USD via PayPal.
• Publisher will receive rights to publish the story on our website. Author will retain all rights to their story. Please review this sample publishing agreement prior to submitting: Flash on the Fly Publishing Agreement.
• Stories will be judged by TIFFANY MICHELLE BROWN.

TIPS based on Tiffany’s personal preferences:

Many times, an author’s first idea is also everyone else’s first idea. Come up with a second and third idea. Which is the best? Write that one.

To that end, Tiffany expects to get a lot of people-turning-into-bicycles stories. While that approach isn’t off the table, think outside the box. Surprise her. Be original.

Don’t be afraid to be weird, gross, smart, violent, funny, gory, sexy, or subtle… so long as these things have a purpose to the story and fit the theme.

While Tiffany absolutely loves body horror, stories that are violent or gross for the sake of being violent or gross aren’t her jam. Give her visceral scenes that also have something significant to say. Characters that come alive on the page. Wit and wonder and beauty amid the grotesquerie.

Best of luck to all who enter!