WANTED: New Flash Essays about Animals

Calling all cat (lads &) ladies!

We thought we’d try something new this time around: a call for submissions with a theme.

For upcoming editions of the weekly Short Reads email, we’re looking for original (as yet unpublished) flash nonfiction work that features an animal or animals—anything from aardvarks to zonkeys. (Yes, the zonkey is a real thing!) 

The animal can be at the center of the piece or just a peripheral character or element of the story. We’d especially love to read stories that are funny or full of heart (without being too sappy); we’re less interested in stories where terrible things happen to animals (though of course we understand that happens, sometimes, and of course we’ll read anything you want to send). 

Because of formatting constraints, submissions should be 1,250 words maximum.
Important notes:

• For now, we are accepting nominations from active Short Reads subscribers only.
• Not a subscriber? It’s FREE to sign up for the weekly email here. (Or, for early access, become a supporting subscriber here.)
• At this time, we are unable to accept multiple submissions.
• Thanks to our supporting subscribers, we pay a modest honorarium of $50 upon publication.
• We do not charge reading fees.

We are only able to consider 100 submissions total. 

Call will close when this threshold is reached or on 9/30/24, whichever comes first.

Questions? You can email us at staff@short-reads.org.

Recent calls

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED FLASH ESSAYS
Date closed: July 30, 2024
Expected response time: Fall 2024