General Experimental Short Stories

Since 1946, Chicago Review has published a range of contemporary poetry, fiction, and criticism. We will consider work in any literary style, but are typically less interested in traditional narrative approaches.
Genres: General.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment. Free copy(ies).
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 30.6 days.
Acceptances: Unknown. None reported yet in fiction.

Failbetter is a journal of literature and art from Richmond, VA and New York, NY. Founded in 2000, our journal’s latest iteration was launched in January 2017.
Genres: General.
Lengths:      Flash Fiction, Short Story, Novelette, Novella, Novel Excerpt.
Payment: No monetary payment.
Avg. Response: Average responder. 55.1 days.
Acceptances: Challenging. 1.9% of fiction submissions accepted.

Established in 1990 at the University of Idaho, Fugue publishes poetry, fiction, essays, hybrid work, and visual art from established and emerging writers and artists. Fugue is managed and edited entirely by University of Idaho graduate students, with help from graduate and undergraduate readers. We take pride in the work we print, writers we publish, and the presentation of each issue.
Genres: General.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment.
Avg. Response: Average responder. 65.2 days.
Acceptances: Challenging. 2.3% of fiction submissions accepted.

Glassworks is a publication of the Master of Arts in Writing program at Rowan University. The tradition of glassworking and the history of Rowan University are deeply intertwined. South Jersey was a natural location for glass production—the sandy soil provided the perfect medium, while plentiful oak trees fueled the fires. Glassboro, home of Rowan University, was founded as "Glass Works in the Woods" in 1779…
Genres: General.
Lengths:    Flash Fiction, Short Story, Novel Excerpt.
Payment: No monetary payment. Free copy(ies).
Avg. Response: Average responder. 66.3 days.
Acceptances: Unknown. None reported yet in fiction.

Meridian is a literary journal produced at the University of Virginia in conjunction with the university’s M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing, whose students serve as the magazine’s editors. Founded in 1998, Meridian has featured the works of numerous Pulitzer Prize Winners, National Book Award Winners, and established writers including Charles Wright, Rita Dove, Yusef Komunyakaa, Seamus Heaney, Ann Beattie, John Casey, George Garrett, Heather McHugh, Richard Bausch, Bonnie Jo Campbell,…
Genres: General.
Lengths: Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment. Free copy(ies).
Avg. Response: Slower than average responder. 118.3 days.
Acceptances: Unknown. None reported yet in fiction.

The Spotlong Review, founded in 2021, is a New York- and Philadelphia-based literary journal dedicated to championing innovative work that packs a punch, questions conventional mores, and, most of all, explores human connection from surprising angles. Our greatest aim is to reserve a space for all kinds of exceptional writing and visual art regardless of form, intent, or subject matter.
Genres: General.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment.
Avg. Response: Faster than average responder. 35.8 days.
Acceptances: Approachable. 11.6% of fiction submissions accepted.

We seek well-crafted writing that takes risks. We publish work in and between all genres: poetry, fiction, essays, and plays—we appreciate work in experimental and traditional modes.
Genres: General.
Lengths:   Flash Fiction, Short Story.
Payment: No monetary payment. Free copy(ies).
Avg. Response: Average responder. 78.3 days.
Acceptances: Unknown. None reported yet in fiction.