CURRENT SUBMISSION STATUS (UPDATED 02/19/2023): Stories: OPEN  Art: OPEN

Fiction Submission Guidelines

We publish flash fiction in the genres of speculative fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, super hero, or any combination of these.  We are looking for stories that are engaging to our readers in such a short word count.  Please take note of these factors (pun intended) when submitting stories to us.

Accept Story Length: We accept stories up to 1,000 words.

Sexual Content & Language:   We are okay with foul language and sexual activity within a story, provided it fits the story well.  We do not publish erotica.

Manuscript Format:  Please send a .doc, .docx, or .rtf.  Please use 12 point Courier font, double spaced, with author information, and word count.  If you want text to be bolded or in italics, please be sure it is in that format on your manuscript.  (I.E. do not use underline to indicate italics, instead italicize the text. )

Multiple and Simultaneous Submission:  We do not accept submissions that are pending a response at another publication.  Once you have submitted a story to us, please do not submit that story to another market until you’ve heard back from us. Please send us just one story at a time.  Once you’ve heard back on your submission you are welcome to send us another one.  We do not have a cool down period for submissions.  We will do our best to get back to you as quickly as possible.

Response Time:  We currently average between 30 and 60 days to respond. We encourage our submitters report submissions to our magazine via The Submission Grinder where you can also see our current average response times. If, after 90 days you’ve not heard from back on your submission, please feel free to query with us by email at factorfourmag – at – gmail.com.  Remember to check your SPAM folder.

Rights and Other Stuff:  We require first print and electronic rights for your story.  If your story has been published by someone else, or yourself, (even if you were never paid) then we will not publish it.  No reprints unless specifically requested by us.  Keep in mind that this includes publishing a story on your website, Patreon, or blog.  We require exclusive rights for six months from the date of publication.  Full details of rights can be found in the contract.

Sample Contract: (Click Here).  Note this is a sample contract and subject to change. Always read any contract you execute carefully before signing.

Publication Language & Format: We publish in English each issue online.  Our magazine is available worldwide.  We typically publish a print and eReader anthology once per year.

Payment:  Fiction is paid at a rate of eleven (11) U.S. cents per word based on our word processor’s word count and excludes title, author information, etc.  Payments can be made by check or PayPal.  Please note that PayPal has recently changed their policies around sending funds to business accounts. If you are using a PayPal business account, they may charge you fees that we cannot predict or avoid.

Inclusion: Factor Four Magazine wants diverse voices and believes that inclusion is important in publishing a speculative fiction magazine. We accept stories from any writer regardless of their identity. We also want to help readers find stories written by people they identify with.  We have several “tags” that we can put on a story to help readers find these authors. Upon acceptance, authors are asked to voluntarily let us know which of these applies to them. This is 100% optional and only asked once the story is accepted.

Submission Process: Want to know the path your story takes once you submit it? Read about it here.

Submit: To submit your works of fiction, use this link to access our Submission Manager database.  You can also log in here to track the status of your story.

Cover Art Submissions

Factor Four Magazine is looking to purchase digital art for use as our covers for our monthly magazine. We are looking for artwork that is roughly 6 by 9 in ratio (width by height) with strong science fiction and/or fantasy themes. To see samples of various artwork we’ve purchased in the past, look at our past issues.

When submitting please send us the following:

• Your Name
• A sample of the artwork you wish to sell (limit two pieces per submission).
• The cost of the artwork you wish to sell.
• Any additional information about yourself.
• Please do not include any links to a portfolio of work. We just want to see the work you think we’d like.

UPDATE 12/12/2022: Factor Four Magazine is committed to using art work from human artists only. As such we are committing ourselves to not knowingly purchase AI-generated images or artwork that contains AI-generated images. Please ensure your artwork is AI-generated image free.

If you would like to submit artwork to us, please email factorfourmag -at- gmail.com Use the subject: Cover Artwork Submission