Getting published means getting out of the slush pile. Surviving the slushpile means getting past slush readers. The thing is, slush readers are perennially grumpy. Probably drunk too. Okay, that’s just me, but the point still stands. So what do you do? I have had some amount of success with Lovecraftian incantations, but you can […]
Wow. Talk about a labor of love. There were moments when trying to get the first EVER Flash Fiction Online Anthology up and running reminded me of labor (yes, I have two wildling children so I know what I’m talking about here.). But it’s done. It’s here. WE’RE LIVE! The first ever Flash Fiction Online […]
I wish it was as simple as a blog post. I really do. The truth is that this post probably won’t make a difference in the number of sexist, degrading stories that wind up in the FFO slushpile every month. But I just can’t handle it anymore. So for my own conscience’s sake, I’m stating […]
Hello there! My name is Stefan Milićević, and I am a slush reader. This is the part where you all stand-up and say, “Hello, Stefan“ in a reassuring voice. Do it. Seriously. Do it now. I am a gentle soul. Anyway, a few days ago I joined the Flash Fiction Online team, and I slushed […]
I need your help. No, I haven’t fallen down a well. Or been possessed by a disembodied phantom (though that would make for a fabulous story). But I need you. Yes, you. Right there. Not someone else. Not the person you could share this post with. Or their Aunt Mabel. You. Because you’re my reader. […]
I’ve been puttering around over on the Flash Fiction Online side of things (not really… I’ve been busting arse getting tomorrow’s issue loaded but that’s beside the point..) and I’ve noticed quite the trend. Over on the Submissions page, I’m getting a lot, and I mean bucket loads, of questions about digital publication rights, specifically […]
Our last post dealt with women being typecast in reoccurring roles. But this one will be a bit more general. I’ve complied a list of a few characters that will fast track you to the rejection pile. They always have the same obstacles, and they slip in and out of our minds without leaving a […]
If I have to explain the title of this blog post, then you’ve probably been living on a different planet for, well, most of humanity. Far too often in the slush pile, I read disturbingly violent stories about women. Some even turn my stomach and leave me wondering how someone could write such a thing. […]
A few days ago Anna posted a blog about Cover Letters 101. So if you haven’t read that go there now… https://www.flashfictiononline.com/flashblog/2014/03/cover-letters-101.html Done? Okay. Now I guess we’ll have to call this one Cover Letters 102. It’s basically a rant, but a good intentioned rant I assure you. I’ll start by treading on some […]
Or…”Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot Before You’ve Even Gotten Started” So I have a small confession to make: we here at FFO have a Wall of Shame. Yep. Sure do. And on it are the cover letters (names redacted… we’re not *that* heartless) that make us weep, pull our hair out, or basically snort […]