Barely South Review — Flash Fiction, Fall '26 Issue
Overview
Barely South Review, a literary magazine with a longstanding commitment to publishing distinctive voices, opens its Fall 2026 reading period for flash fiction. The journal seeks concise narratives that demonstrate precision and resonance within the constraints of the form. This call is for up to three pieces per author, each under 1,000 words, and carries no submission fee—a deliberate choice that aligns with the magazine's ethos of accessibility and merit-based selection. The review's editorial vision favors work that leverages the compression of flash to achieve emotional or intellectual impact. While the guidelines specify standard manuscript formatting—12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, one-inch margins, indented paragraphs, and word count on the first page—the emphasis is on content that transcends technical adherence. The journal has a history of featuring both emerging and established writers, and this issue will continue that tradition, offering a platform for short fiction that is both artful and urgent. For the creative practitioner, this opportunity represents a chance to place work in a respected literary venue without financial barrier. The absence of a fee underscores the magazine's respect for writers' time and resources. The curatorial team will read submissions with an eye for originality, voice, and narrative control, seeking pieces that linger beyond their brevity.