The 2015 Penny Fiction contest will be held in three rounds. Round One begins November 1st, 2014 and ends upon receipt of 200 submissions. Subsequent rounds to be announced.

Theme: “Backroads & Porch Swings” Rurally themed short stories told in exactly 21 words.

Publication Date: From the Depths, Fall 2015

Contest Dates: Round One opens November 1st, 2014. Closes at 200 submissions. Subsequent rounds TBA.

Submission Options: Submissions accepted via Submittable only. No email submissions.

Haunted Waters Press editor Penny Dreadful is selecting exceptionally small works of flash fiction to be showcased in Penny Fiction, a regular feature of the literary journal, From the Depths. Stories may also appear in the Penny Fiction Poster Collection.  In keeping with the 2015 theme featuring works which depict a slice of life in rural America, tell us a story in exactly 21 words—no more, no less. Extra points will be awarded for those writers who adhere to the rules. Not really. There are no points. Just read the contest rules below and impress Penny with your ability to follow instructions.

Penny Fiction 2015 Contest Rules: (Please read carefully as our rules have changed.)

The Lovely Submission:

• One Submittable submission per author, per round. (Contributors may submit multiple stories/entries in a single submission, but may only transmit one submission per round.)
• Each Penny Fiction entry is a short story told in exactly 21 words. No more. No less. Titles not included in word count, but must not be an extension of the story.
• Rurally themed works only. (See From the Depths 2015 Call for Submissions)
• No poetry, tag lines, or jokes. Horror, erotica, sci-fi, and fantasy are not suitable for this theme. 
• Previously unpublished works only.
• If you make an error during the submission process, DO NOT withdraw your entry and resubmit. Resubmitted works will not be considered. Contact HWP for corrections. We are happy to assist.

The Dreadful Cover Letter:

• Include one interesting fact about yourself in under 13 words.
• Undertakers and cat herders earn extra points.
• If we do not find you interesting, we reserve the right to make you appear more interesting.
• No long lists of previously published works. No cut ‘n paste author bios.

• Follow @PennyFiction and @HauntedWaters on Twitter.
• Like Penny Dreadful and Haunted Waters Press on Facebook. 

Penny Fiction is a “for the love of flash” project. Authors receive exposure only, no monetary payment. Not even a penny. Haunted Waters Press holds electronic and print publishing rights for ninety days following publication and non-exclusive print, electronic and archival rights forever. Copyright remains with the author. Entry is taken to be acceptance of these conditions and rules. Winning authors will sign an Author’s Agreement. Yay for publishing contracts!