Websites that Remunerate for Short Stories and Verses of Poetry
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In the world of flash fiction and short story writing, the pay rates and submission guidelines can vary significantly across different platforms. Here's a synthesized overview of popular websites as of July 2017, with some 2025 data for context on typical rates.
Pay Rates
Flash fiction pay rates generally ranged from £10 to £100 per story, often depending on word count and publication status. Short stories were typically paid per word or by flat rates, with common per-word rates ranging roughly from 6 to 14 cents per word, and flat fees for short stories under a few thousand words often ranging from £50 to £100 or more. Some literary magazines and websites offered smaller payments for flash fiction (under 1,000 words) in the range of £15 to £50, with higher rates for longer works.
Typical Submission Guidelines
Word counts for flash fiction were usually limited to under 1,000 words (often 500-1,000 words), and short story markets accepted up to 3,000 to 5,000 words. Genres covered a broad spectrum, frequently including speculative fiction, literary fiction, horror, flash fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Most publications accepted original work only; reprints often received lower or no pay. Submission fees in reputable magazines were usually none for flash fiction and short story submissions.
Common requirements included manuscripts typed, formatted in 12 pt standard font, double-spaced, paginated pages, and the inclusion of a cover letter and brief bio. Deadlines often rolled or had monthly open windows, with some closing when quotas were met.
Examples from recent calls (2025) reflecting similar pay rates and guidelines:
| Publication | Payment | Word Count Limit | Other Guidelines | |--------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | Flash Fiction Online | £100 flat fee | Flash fiction (under 1,000) | Speculative flash fiction | | The Forge Literary Magazine | £100 flat fee | Under 3,000 words, up to 5,000 considered | Science-fiction & fantasy | | Tales of Horror Magazine | £0.06 per word for fiction; £40 for poetry | Unspecified for fiction | Gothic horror, weird tales | | Havok Publishing | Not specified here, but focuses on 300-1,000 words short fiction | 300-1,000 words | Sharp, memorable flash fiction |
Key Takeaways
- Pay per word ranged approximately 6-14 cents; flat fees often £50-£100 for flash fiction/short story lengths.
- No submission fees for most venues except for some contests or large book manuscript submissions (e.g., Sarabande Open had a £30 fee for full manuscript submissions).
- Word count limits for flash fiction were generally 500-1,000 words, and short story markets accepted up to 3,000-5,000 words.
- Different genres and editorial focuses guided submissions (e.g., speculative, horror, literary).
- Many venues operated on rolling deadlines or monthly calls.
Because specific pay rates and guidelines can fluctuate and differ by market, writers as of 2017 were advised to consult updated market listings regularly for precise details.
Notable Sites for Submission
The Pedestal Magazine, based in Ohio, currently invites poetry submissions only, paying £40 per accepted poem and accepting up to five poems at once. Nature Futures runs a fiction section called Futures, accepting flash fiction pieces on Science Fiction with a word count of 850 - 950 words.
Darkfuse accepts submissions for dark stories and erotica, with payments ranging from £20 and upwards for both short flash fiction and longer pieces. They do not specify a word count limit.
Flash Fiction Online pays £60 for flash fiction with a word count between 500 and 1000 words. They respond to submissions within a few days to three weeks, and accept reprints at a lower rate. The Funny Times and Nature do not provide specific pay rates or word counts for their submissions.
Submissions to The Pedestal Magazine must be sent without a SASE, as they do not accept work posted through the mail. Submissions should be carefully reviewed before sending, as requirements vary among these sites.
This information contextualizes the types of pay and submission rules typical in 2017, with 2025 data reinforcing common levels in the small fiction publishing landscape[1][2][3]. The article does not mention any other websites for submission beyond those previously listed. Writing flash fiction or short stories can help struggling authors get their work sold.
The article was a guest post contributed by Robert Turner, an author and freelance travel writer who lives and works out of the Philippines, and is the co-founder of the Masaya project, empowering grass root charities.
