Vestal Review is the longest-running flash fiction magazine in the world. Our stories have been reprinted in numerous anthologies and selected for Wigleaf Top 50 many times. We’re eclectic in style and open to all genres.

Launched in 2000, Vestal Review is the longest-running flash fiction magazine on Earth—and perhaps the Milky Way. Past contributors include Steve Almond, Aimee Bender, Sam Lipsyte, Judith Cofer, Robert Boswell, Bruce Holland Rogers, Stuart Dybek, Robert Olen Butler, Pamela Painter, and many others. 

We encourage underrepresented writers to send us their stories. And since we believe in supporting our authors, we pay $75 to contributors. We also publish reviews and interviews.

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

Quality magazines publishing magical realism that also nominate for prizes, accept simultaneous submissions, and maintain under 20% acceptance rates.

Where to Publish Magical Realism

Digital publications chosen for Best of the Net. These journals demonstrate consistent excellence in identifying digital fiction that deserves wider recognition and readership.

Fiction Magazines Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Online publications putting forward exceptional short stories for Best of the Net.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

The ultimate ranking of the world's liveliest indie literary magazines, curated by author and editor Charlie Fish. These are the passion projects; the kaleidoscopic cutting edge.

FISH List of Lively Indie Literary Magazines 2025

FISH List of Lively Indie Literary Magazines 2026

Digital publications advancing very short fiction for Best of the Net consideration.

Flash Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Publications with ultra-short stories under 400 words selected for this anthology series. The definitive collection for the microfiction form.

Lit Mags Featured in Best Microfiction Anthologies

Digital publications with work selected for inclusion across genres. These journals consistently publish online work of exceptional quality that stands out in the digital literary landscape.

Lit Mags Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Publications with narratives under 1,000 words selected for this anthology series. These journals consistently identify short-short fiction, exemplifying the artistry possible in compact narratives.

Lit Mags Featured in Best Small Fictions Anthologies

Looking for balance between prestige and accessibility? These magazines are competitive but attainable for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writers.

Literary Magazines in the Sweet Spot

Best Microfiction, edited by Meg Pokrass and Gary Fincke, celebrates the art of the extremely brief narrative. These publications have editorial teams with particular sensitivity to the craft.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best Microfiction

Identifies publications that put forward outstanding online work for this respected digital anthology established in 2006.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Publications that nominate work for this respected anthology series founded in 2015 by Tara Masih to celebrate fiction under 1,000 words.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best Small Fictions

These magazines have the fastest response times, so you won't be left hanging for months. No more endless waiting. Just, you know, regular waiting.

Literary Magazines with the Fastest Response Times

All-time most competitive literary magazines. Getting published in these is a significant achievement for any writer.

Most Competitive Literary Magazines of All Time

Explore the most popular literary magazines of all time. These long-established publications are a staple in the literary world for writers of all genres.

Most Popular Literary Magazines of All Time

Digital publications chosen for Best of the Net. These journals consistently publish digital essays and memoirs that exemplify the best of what's possible in online creative nonfiction.

Nonfiction Magazines Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Digital publications nominating outstanding essays and creative nonfiction for Best of the Net.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Vestal Review

For us, a flash story is no longer than 500 words, and it moves from point A to point B. If it’s longer than 500 words or is too static, it’s not for us. We also reject pornography, racism, and excessive gore. On the other end of the spectrum, no preachy stories, please. Our target audience is over 18, so R-rated content is okay, but not X-rated. We accept most genres, and we love humor. We also appreciate diversity, whether racial, socioeconomic, or gender-based.
Format your story in Microsoft Word, including a heading with a word-count. Please include a brief author bio in the message space, 200 words maximum. We try to get back to submitters within one month.
We request that anyone who's contributed flash fiction to the magazine wait two issues before resubmitting so that we can continue to offer variety in our author selection.

Submit Flash Fiction

Send us two brief paragraphs, one outlining your proposal and the other with your bio, including publications. The interview itself should weigh in at no more than 500 words.We try to get back to submitters within one month.

Vestal Review

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