Gulf Stream Magazine, a literary journal with a history of publishing emerging and established voices, is currently reading for Issue 38. The theme, 'pop,' is conceived as a provocation: contributors are asked to consider the aesthetics of pop culture, iconography, and bubblegum—but also the rupture of bubbles, the end of worlds, and the messy, sticky, and visceral. The editors seek work that subverts expectations, takes big swings, and refuses to fit neatly into any single category. The magazine welcomes fiction that engages with this theme in expansive ways. The call explicitly invites stories that transport readers to unexpected places, that embrace the loud and obnoxious, and that explore the sharp points and rough edges of contemporary experience. While the theme is open to interpretation, the editors emphasize a spirit of formal experimentation and thematic daring. Submissions are accepted online, and a fee of $3 is required. The deadline is November 4, 2026. Gulf Stream Magazine has not announced a prize or payment for this call; contributors should consult the magazine's website for further details on rights and compensation. The journal's editorial vision for this issue is to assemble a collection of work that pops—that is, work that is vibrant, disruptive, and unforgettable.