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Smart Search List of the Day
Mainstream Short Stories

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Note: These are the results of a previous Smart Search List of the Day. Today's Smart Search is Science Fiction.
This Smart Search List of the Day is: Mainstream Short Stories.

Body Shots: New Fiction [Subtle Body Press]

cover image for Body Shots: New Fiction

Body Shots is a new literary journal debuting from Subtle Body Press in Winter 2024 and is exclusively a journal for fiction. We will consider stories of all types, from Carver-esque to Lynchian, Hemingway-esque to Burroughsian, traditional to postmodern, realist to magical realist, genre to non-genre, and anything and everything in between…
Genres:    Open to all/most genres, including: General, Horror.
Lengths: Short Story.
Payment: Semi-pro. Details: USD $150 for works between 5000 to 7500 words.
Avg. Response: Average responder. 100.4 days.
Acceptances: Average. 10.7% of fiction submissions accepted.

Carmina Magazine

cover image for Carmina Magazine

Named after the Latin word for "songs" or "poems", Carmina Magazine offers a place where ancient mythology and modern creativity can come together as one. For generations, writers, artists, and creators have turned towards mythological traditions for inspiration. Carmina Magazine aims to showcase how ancient stories are still creatively relevant in the modern day, possessing a timeless ability to enthrall, enchant, and inspire long after their initial genesis.
Genres:    General, Fantasy, Horror.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 33.8 days.
Acceptances: Average. 5.3% of fiction submissions accepted.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

cover image for Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

Launched in 1941, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine is credited with setting the standard for the modern crime and mystery short story. The magazine has been cited as “the finest periodical of its kind” by The Readers Encyclopedia of American Literature and as “the best mystery magazine in the world, bar none” by author Stephen King…
Genres: Mystery/Crime.
Lengths:     Flash Fiction, Short Story, Novelette, Novella.
Payment: Professional. Details: USD $0.05-$0.08/word.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 36.0 days.
Acceptances: Average. 7.5% of fiction submissions accepted.

Escape Pod: The Original Science Fiction Podcast [Escape Artists]

cover image for Escape Pod: The Original Science Fiction Podcast

Escape Pod is the premier science fiction podcast magazine, founded in 2005 by Serah Eley, and presently co-edited by Mur Lafferty and Valerie Valdes. Every week we bring you short stories from some of today’s best science fiction, in convenient audio and text formats. Escape Pod is a science fiction market. We are fairly flexible on what counts as science (superheroes! steampunk! space opera! time travel!) and are interested in exploring the range of the genre…
Genres: Science Fiction.
Lengths: Short Story.
Payment: Professional. Details: USD $0.08/word; $100 flat rate for reprints.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 14.8 days.
Acceptances: Challenging. 0.7% of fiction submissions accepted.

Halfway Down the Stairs

cover image for Halfway Down the Stairs

Halfway Down the Stairs publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and book reviews. We publish primarily literary and mainstream work, but accept work in most genres, with children's literature and erotica as the exceptions. We accept fiction related to the theme of the issue. The fiction editors are looking mostly for short stories, but we are happy to consider well-crafted flash fiction…
Genres:   Open to all/most genres, including: General.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 28.7 days.
Acceptances: Average. 5.3% of fiction submissions accepted.

Literally Stories

cover image for Literally Stories

Literally Stories is all about short stories. Literally. It was created by writers for writers. It exists to showcase a wide spectrum of short story fiction from new and emerging writers to more seasoned authors.
Genres:        General, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery/Crime, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense/Thriller.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 9.1 days.
Acceptances: Approachable. 20.4% of fiction submissions accepted.

Mythaxis Magazine

cover image for Mythaxis Magazine

Established in 2008 by Gil Williamson, Mythaxis has always been focused on the fiction, with as little distraction as possible - no ads, no clutter, just words on the page to transport you somewhere else.
Genres:   Fantasy, Science Fiction.
Lengths: Short Story.
Payment: Semi-pro. Details: EUR €0.01/word, with a €20 minimum.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 16.4 days.
Acceptances: Challenging. 2.2% of fiction submissions accepted.

The School Magazine Wildcard

The School Magazine, founded in 1916, is Australia’s top literary magazine for children, with a distinguished history of showcasing the most talented and best-loved children’s authors and artists from Australia and around the world. Published by the New South Wales Department of Education. The School Magazine is typically read in a classroom context. Each month, our four magazines—Countdown, Blast Off, Orbit and Touchdown are made available in print and digital format…
Genres:    Open to all/most genres, including: General, Fantasy.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: Professional. Free copy(ies). Details: AUD $0.50 per word.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 5.4 days.

SPANK the CARP: Fiction & Poetry

cover image for SPANK the CARP: Fiction & Poetry

SPANK the CARP publishes unique, thought-provoking fiction and poetry that isn't obscure or pretentious. Its goal is to invite readers to wade into the literary stream, not make them afraid of water for fear it's too cold. Any genre, including hard science fiction, though PLEASE no fantasy, erotica, or sappy romance. Humor is good.
Genres:    Open to all/most genres, including: General, Science Fiction.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment.
Avg. Response: Average responder. 58.1 days.
Acceptances: Approachable. 22.6% of fiction submissions accepted.

Tales to Terrify

cover image for Tales to Terrify

Since 2012, Tales to Terrify has curated the best short horror fiction from established and emerging writers, and turned each story into simple, spine-tingling audio. We encourage you to challenge the definition of horror. Standard tropes and monsters are welcome, but give us your own unique take. Avoid the cliche and expected, unless as devices used purposefully and cleverly to further your story. Drag us deep into the unsettling atmosphere of a crumbling Gothic mansion…
Genres: Horror.
Lengths:    Flash Fiction, Short Story, Novelette.
Payment: to Pays occasionally, up to Semi-pro. Details: No payment for fiction under 2,000 words; USD $0.02/word for originals, $0.01/word for reprints.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 20.7 days.
Acceptances: Approachable. 14.6% of fiction submissions accepted.