The winner is The Breakfast Shift at the Usual New York Diner by Debra A. Daniel!

Challenge Prompt

For this challenge, we want stories based on the theme of “Work/Play.” If we get to know our characters in flash fiction through action, nothing quite reveals them more than their behavior when they’re at a particular job or when they’re at play. Each part of this dual theme could connote happy feelings or conversely, show the dark undersides of employment and leisure. Take us to the places your characters grudgingly go or sneak away to, the places where they try to hide their true natures, the places that make them feel free and hopeful, or the places in-between, where society encroaches. Both work and play have their own sense of rules, so show us what happens when these rules are broken, ignored, or enforced. We love characters who aren’t afraid to exhibit their desires and face their fears, who are willing to make mistakes, and who fail beautifully. Be imaginative and original in your choice of setting, in your invention of plot, and in the combination of these elements to create an exciting and resonant story.

 

GUIDELINES:

• Your $20 reading fee allows up to two stories of 1,000 words or fewer each per entry—if submitting two stories, please put them both in a SINGLE document.
• We allow multiple submissions—each set of two flash stories should be a separate submission accompanied by a reading fee.
• Please send flash fiction only—1,000 word count maximum per story.
• We only consider unpublished work for challenges—we do not review reprints, including self-published work (even on blogs and social media). Reprints will be automatically disqualified.
• Simultaneous submissions are okay—please notify us and withdraw your entry if you find another home for your writing.
• All entries will also be considered for general publication in Fractured Lit.
• Double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12 (or larger if needed).
• Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history (if applicable).
• We only read work in English, though some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
• We do not read anonymous submissions.
• Unless specifically requested, we do not accept AI-generated work. For this challenge, AI-generated work will be automatically disqualified.
• The deadline for entry is May 05, 2024. We will announce the shortlist within ten to twelve weeks of the challenge’s close. All writers will be notified when the results are final.

 

Some Submittable Hot Tips:

• Please be sure to whitelist/add this email address to your contacts, so notifications do not get filtered as spam/junk: notifications@email.submittable.com.
• If you realize you sent the wrong version of your piece: It happens. Please DO NOT withdraw the piece and resubmit. Submittable collects a nonrefundable fee each time. Please DO message us from within the submission to request that we open the entry for editing, which will allow you to fix everything from typos in your cover letter to uploading a new draft. The only time we will not allow a change is if the piece is already under review by a reader.

 

OPTIONAL EDITORIAL FEEDBACK:

You may choose to receive editorial feedback on your piece. We will provide a two-page global letter discussing the strengths of the writing and the recommended focus for revision. Our aim is to make our comments actionable and encouraging. These letters are written by editors and staff readers of Fractured Lit. Should your story win, no feedback will be offered, and your fee will be refunded.