Cream City Review, the literary journal affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, positions its fiction section as a space for writing that is 'sharp, cutting, juicy, specific.' The editors articulate a clear curatorial preference: they seek stories that linger emotionally and intellectually, favoring 'excellent imagery choices and smart constructions' over shock tactics such as graphic violence. This is a call for fiction that earns its surprises through insight, generosity of spirit, and bravery of expression rather than through provocation alone. The journal's stated interest in 'tightly written and well-crafted' work extends to formal experimentation, provided the story understands its own decisions. Submitters may send one story of no more than 20 double-spaced pages in Times New Roman, or two flash fiction pieces of up to 600 words each. Files should be in .doc, .docx, or PDF format. A reading fee of $2.50 (USD) applies. The deadline is November 1, 2026. What distinguishes this opportunity is the editors' explicit criteria for memorability and energy. They are not looking for mere competence; they want fiction that 'rattles our rib cages long past the last line' and remains 'sticky in our brains.' The journal thus functions as a discerning venue for writers whose work combines emotional resonance with technical precision, and who understand that formal choices must be purposeful rather than ornamental.