A projectile for incendiary flash fiction. Purveyors of the dark & offbeat since 2010. 

The Molotov Cocktail is a Portland-based literary magazine dedicated to publishing incendiary flash fiction. Founded in 2010 by Josh Goller, the magazine seeks out very short fiction that is dark, offbeat, and experimental. It is published online twice monthly, featuring works that make readers laugh, cringe, or feel inspired in a twisted way. (bathflashfictionaward.com)

The magazine's editorial focus is on volatile flash fiction—prose that is intense and compelling. While literary fiction is welcomed, The Molotov Cocktail is not an erudite journal that only accepts stories with multiple layers of metaphor. They want action, rotten characters, and visceral storytelling. While genre pieces are permissible, anything reliant on genre convention over story is not favored. It's all about language and story. (themolotovcocktail.com)

The magazine encourages surrealist and experimental works, aiming to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. However, they avoid certain genres outright, including romance, children's or young adult fiction, and swords-and-sorcery fantasy. They also steer clear of stories set primarily in bars, coffee shops, or high schools, as well as those about writers or featuring dialogue with words like "Um" and "Oh." Stories glorifying rape, incest, or necrophilia are also rejected, unless the author is Joyce Carol Oates. (themolotovcocktail.com)

Submissions must not exceed 1,000 words, with priority given to fiction that tells the most engaging and self-contained story in the fewest words. The average length of accepted pieces is around 300-600 words. All submissions must be sent through Submittable. The magazine accepts simultaneous submissions and does not charge a reading fee. Upon acceptance, they may edit the story for length, grammar, or syntax without notification. (themolotovcocktail.com)

In addition to regular issues, The Molotov Cocktail hosts quarterly themed contests, each with a different theme that can be very genre-oriented or open to interpretation. These contests have become a significant part of the magazine's offerings, generating excitement among readers and contributing writers. (bathflashfictionaward.com)

The magazine is based in Portland, Oregon, and is led by Editor Josh Goller, who earned his MFA in Fiction at Pacific University. He also serves as Managing Editor for Spectrum Culture and contributes to Slant Magazine. Associate Editor Mary Lenoir Bond earned her MFA in Writing at Pacific University and has her poetry published in Prairie Schooner, december, and Silk Road. (themolotovcocktail.com)

The Molotov Cocktail is a platform for writers seeking to publish bold and unconventional flash fiction, providing a space for stories that challenge traditional norms and engage readers with their intensity and originality.

Publications with stories in this respected annual flash fiction showcase. Perhaps the most prestigious flash-specific recognition.

Lit Mags in Wigleaf's Top 50

Flash fiction meets speculative worlds. Science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, futuristic—anything that transcends reality in very short form.

Speculative Magazines Looking for Flash Fiction

We asked, you guys answered. This time we switched it up a little bit, so we're bringing you the community's top picks for the strange, bold, and experimental.

Want to check out our previous crowdsourced themed lists? We've un-paywalled them for you guys, so get them before they're gone.
Part 1: https://www.chillsubs.com/lists/cool_kids_3
Part 2: https://www.chillsubs.com/lists/Cool_kids_2
Part 3: https://www.chillsubs.com/lists/cool_kids_pt3
Part 4: https://www.chillsubs.com/lists/cool_kids_4

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The Molotov Cocktail

Please paste all submissions. No attachments.

Submissions must not exceed 1000 words unless those extra words are fucking genius. Even so, you'd be wise to keep it under 1000, with priority given to fiction that tells the most engaging and self-contained story in the fewest words (average length of accepted pieces is around 300-600).

Include a clever two-sentence bio in the space provided. You can list all the publications in which your previous work has been featured if that gets you off, but we prefer insight into who you are or imagine yourself to be.

Flash Fiction - Regular Issue Submission (FREE to submit)

Follow these guidelines, and you just might get some extra dough, and some bragging rights as the Flash Monster 2026 winner.
– All submissions must absolutely be no more than 1,000 words, and we tend to look more kindly on 750 or fewer because… TOXIC-WASTE-MUTATED-SQUIRREL!
– All contest submissions will be read with authors' names concealed, so we won’t be playing favorites.
– Please paste your submission into the corresponding field. Do not list your name anywhere in your submission or we’ll assume that you don’t know how to read.
– Entry fee of $12 (Sorry, no refunds.)
– No A.I.-generated content of any kind, because who wants to read that.
– We reserve the right to extend deadlines if necessary (and you can expect our usual week-ish Slacker Special—with corresponding increase in submission fee for you procrastinators).
– Submissions must be previously unpublished work, and you will retain copyright. By entering this contest you give us permission to publish your work if it's selected for our Top 10
– No limit on how many entries you can submit, but you must submit them one at a time. Don’t just mash them all in there.
– Contest soft deadline is Sunday, October 18th. Winners announced on October 30th, and we'll unleash the Flash Monster 2026 mega-issue on Halloween!
– And, most importantly, this is a FLASH MONSTER contest, so you must include some sort of literal or figurative monster. But again, this can be in any form imaginable.ollow these guidelines, and you just might get your hands on some extra dough, and some bragging rights as the Flash Monster 2026 winner.
– All submissions must absolutely be no more than 1,000 words, and we tend to look more kindly on 750 or fewer because… TOXIC-WASTE-MUTATED-SQUIRREL!
– All contest submissions will be read with authors' names concealed, so we won’t be playing favorites.
– Please paste your submission into the corresponding field. Do not list your name anywhere in your submission or we’ll assume that you don’t know how to read.
– Entry fee of $12 (Sorry, no refunds.)
– All entries must be your own original work. No A.I.-generated content of any kind, because who wants to read that.
– We reserve the right to extend deadlines if necessary (and you can expect our usual week-ish Slacker Special—with corresponding increase in submission fee for you procrastinators).
– Submissions must be previously unpublished work, and you will retain copyright. By entering this contest you give us permission to publish your work if it's selected for our Top 10
– No limit on how many entries you can submit, but you must submit them one at a time. Don’t just mash them all in there.
– Contest soft deadline is Sunday, October 18th. Winners announced on October 30th, and we'll unleash the Flash Monster 2026 mega-issue on Halloween!
– And, most importantly, this is a FLASH MONSTER contest, so you must include some sort of literal or figurative monster. But again, this can be in any form imaginable.

The Molotov Cocktail

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