Five South Submission Guidelines for Writers with Visual Challenges.
If you encounter any issues with submitting, email editor@fivesouth.net
If you are visually impaired and would like to help us make this page better, please email editor at five south dot net.
We regularly offer 24-hour FREE submission periods. Notices will be posted on our newsletter and Twitter.
Five South does not discriminate. We love all people and all people have stories to tell. We want ugly stuff, beautiful stuff. Stuff that has a point and makes you think. A good story makes you feel. A good writer knows the difference between mystery and obscurity. While we want to remain an open (safe) space for all writers, we will not publish material that is outright hateful. We’re open to all genres as long as it’s your best work.
Submission Guidelines
GENERAL GUIDELINES
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Five South accepts unsolicited submissions of short fiction, flash fiction, and poetry for the digital biannual via our submission manager.
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We accept all genres, but will not even remotely consider: hate, pornography, or pedophilia.
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All submissions must be in English and previously unpublished in either print or online.
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We suggest to all who submit that they read the most recent issue of Five South and our About Page to get to know our vibe.
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Please submit no more than one short story, three flash fiction pieces, or five poems at a time and please do not submit more than twice in a calendar year.
SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS
Simultaneous submissions are acceptable as long as we are notified immediately if your piece is accepted for publication elsewhere.
WORD COUNTS
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Flash fiction: 1,000 words
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Short fiction: 5,000 words
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Poetry: No word restrictions, 5 pages max
HOW TO FORMAT YOUR SUBMISSIONS
Taking the time to format your submissions properly shows you care about your work and the people reading it.
General Rules:
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12pt Times or Courier font
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Double spaced
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We prefer .doc or .docx files, but in a pinch .txt is OK.
READING TIME
All submissions received during the reading period will be read. Response time will vary according to the number of submissions. We make every effort to respond to all submissions within three to six months of receipt. If you don't hear from us in that time, feel free to give us a nudge.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Generally, we're looking for great stories that have a beginning, middle, and end. How you accomplish that is up to you. Even poems have stories, whether they're in subtext, creatively crafted spaces, or expressive use of language. "Story" does not mean sticking to the conventions. We love pieces that surprise us, stray from the beaten path, and do something different. Try to remember the book, story, or poem you read or heard as a kid–the one that made you want to write. How did that make you feel? That feeling is what we want.
ABOUT SUBMISSION FEES
Short and simple, submission fees make Five South possible. We charge a standard fee of $3.00 for flash fiction and poetry, $3.50 for short fiction. Five South is a labor of love and is 100% reader-funded, like PBS.
LEGAL STUFF
If your work is accepted, it will be subject to an agreement granting Five South first publication rights. You retain the rights to the work after first publication.
By submitting your work for consideration, you represent that:
(1) The work is not in the public domain, has not been published in any other publication in any jurisdiction in the World, has not been distributed or displayed to members of the public, and you have not made any agreement with another party inconsistent with granting first publication rights to us. (It is important for us to know if your work is to be included in a collection or larger work being prepared for future publication. Please let us know, right away, the title, publisher, and planned publication date.)
(2) The work is your original authorship and no other party has a claim to rights in it except as you specifically disclose at the time of your submission.
(3) In the case of translations, you have obtained permission of the author or the author’s agent or estate to publish your translation.
(4) There is nothing in the work that is libelous, invades personal privacy or deprives another of the right of publicity, or is otherwise actionably harmful or illegal.