Editor Interview: Neon & Smoke

Half-genre, all feeling

Mouthful of Salt & Flash Fiction Magazine

Some of my favorite writers include Agatha Christie, James Patterson, and James Baldwin. Their work shaped how I think about story, pacing, and emotional honesty, but I’m not interested in imitation. Original voice and lived interiority matter far more than echoing influence.

I think Neon & Smoke lives in the in-between. We publish work that doesn’t fit neatly into boxes—emotionally driven pieces that blur literary and genre lines and trust readers to sit with discomfort, ambiguity, and feeling. You may find stories of race, lust, or spaceships in our pages, but all of them center humans under pressure—pushing forward or getting pushed back. That’s why we say we’re half-genre, always lit: the categories shift, but the emotional core never does.

We receive many amazing stories, and we’re truly grateful to the community of writers who trust us with their work. If I had one piece of advice—and I try to share it whenever I can—it would be to trust your voice and take the emotional risk. We love seeing that on the page. The strongest submissions commit fully to their interior world, even when it’s uncomfortable, and make us see the world more vividly.

An ideal submission has a plot—we love genre—but it also has a human anchor we can feel. Whether it’s meant to make us laugh, cry, or stay awake at night, we come to know the character through a clear sense of emotional interiority. The story trusts the reader and allows the character’s choices to matter.

On a process level, most writers do everything right.

I’m open to whatever an author wants to share. Cover letters don’t help or hurt a submission, but they do offer context. Some writers are humorous, some are raw, others lead with accolades. For me, it’s simply an opportunity to get to know the writer beyond the work—and I enjoy that.

I read the entire piece. An opening line can say a lot about what may follow, but I’ve seen great openings falter and quieter ones blossom. A writer has taken time to share their work with Neon & Smoke, and it feels important to honor that by reading every word.

Just me.

There isn’t a typical day. Some days I read for an hour before work; other days I read late at night with too much coffee or not enough wine. I often reread pieces that linger and try to offer feedback—especially on stories that came close. In between, I take notes, mull decisions, and try to hold space for both the work and the people behind it. I know the waiting can be the hardest part of submitting. I do my best to respond quickly, though I’m not always able.

I tend to suggest revisions more often on shortlisted pieces than on accepted ones. It’s important to us that an author’s work speaks in their own voice, as they crafted it. Because of that, we try to edit as little as possible and focus on preserving what’s already working. In all cases, the author gets to approve final edits.

We haven’t to date, but beginning in 2026 we plan to nominate work. Highlighting pieces that linger and resonate feels like a natural next step for Neon & Smoke.

By three broke friends—no grants, no backing—just belief in the project and a desire to center more diverse voices in literature.

We promote artists primarily through an artist spotlight, specifically emerging voices. We also share published work and announcements on social media—on Instagram and Bluesky at @neonsmokemagazine.