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Submissions open through November 23!
We couldn’t let a whole year pass without a dedicated call for flash submissions, not when so many of our flash publications have been recognized in both Best Small Fictions and Best Microfiction in recent years. We’re proud of our legacy and hope to remain a home for excellent flash fiction and CNF for years to come.
For two weeks in November, The Masters Review is challenging you to submit your fantastic flash. Can you rise to the occasion? Please keep your stories to under 1,000 words, but each submission may include two stories in one document. Both fiction and CNF submissions will be considered. As always, we’re interested in character- and voice-driven submissions that surprise us, particularly those that experiment with style and form. Dazzle us—take chances, and be bold. This prize will be judged by our editorial staff, who will select three finalists to publish in 2026.
The winner of The Flash Challenge will receive $1,000, while two runners-up will each receive $250.
Guidelines:
- The winner receives $1,000 and online publication.
- Two runners-up will receive $250 and online publication.
- Your $15 entry fee allows up to two pieces per submission. If submitting two pieces, please include both in one document. Each piece must be under 1,000 words.
- Simultaneous and multiple submissions are allowed, though each submission requires a $15 entry fee.
- Submitted work must be previously unpublished. This includes personal blogs, social media accounts, and other websites. Previously published work will be automatically disqualified.
- This contest is for emerging writers only. Writers with single-author book-length work published or under contract with a major press are ineligible. We are interested in providing a platform to new writers; authors with books published by indie presses are welcome to submit unpublished work, as are self-published authors.
- International submissions are allowed, provided the work is written primarily in English.
- No translations, please.
- All submissions must be double-spaced with one-inch page margins and use 12pt Times New Roman or Garamond font.
- The contest deadline is 11:59pm PDT on November 23, 2025.
- All entries are considered for general publication in New Voices.
- We do not require blind submissions for this contest. The winner will be selected by The Masters Review’s editorial staff.
- All submissions will receive a response by the end of March, and the winner will be announced by the end of April. If we are unable to meet this timeline, we will notify all submitters of the extension.
- AI-generated or -assisted submissions will be automatically disqualified.
- Friends, family, and associates of The Masters Review’s editorial staff are not eligible to submit.
Editorial Letter Option
If you’re interested in getting feedback on your writing, utilize our editorial letter add-on option. Our response to one story in your submission will be accompanied by a one- to two-page letter from an experienced guest editor, who will offer observations on the strengths of the piece as well as opportunities for revision. Your editor may also offer further submission and reading suggestions, or other comments on craft. A significant portion of the additional fee is paid directly to your feedback editor. See a sample editorial letter.
Our New Voices category is open year-round to any new or emerging author who has not published a novel-length work of fiction or narrative nonfiction with a major press. Authors with published short story collections are free to submit. We accept simultaneous and multiple submissions but ask that you inform us immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere.
The Masters Review pays a flat rate of $100 for flash-length stories (1,000 words or fewer) and $200 for longer stories (up to 7,000 words).
Guidelines:
- This category is for emerging writers only. Writers with single-author novel-length work published or under contract with a major press are ineligible. We are interested in providing a platform to new writers; authors with books published by indie presses and self-published authors are welcome to submit unpublished work.
- We accept fiction and narrative nonfiction. We do accept a variety of genres and styles; our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft. We want to be wowed. Bend genres, experiment with structure, and write your heart out. But please, send us polished work. Our aim is to showcase writers who we believe will continue to produce great work. Send us only your best.
- We accept simultaneous submissions but please notify us if your work is picked up elsewhere.
- All submissions must be under 7,000 words.
- If you’re submitting flash, feel free to include up to three stories in a single document.
- We do accept multiple submissions.
- We cannot consider work that has been previously published in any form. This includes personal blogs.
- Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history and a short bio.
- We aim to respond to all submissions within twelve weeks. Please do not email before twelve weeks have passed.
- For submissions that request an editorial letter, a significant portion of the editorial letter fees go to our feedback editor.
We don’t have any preferences topically or in terms of style. We’re simply looking for the best. We don’t define, nor are we interested in, stories identified by their genre. We do, however, consider ourselves a publication that focuses on literary fiction. Dazzle us, take chances, and be bold. Thanks for supporting our publication, and thank you for your work.
For questions about submissions or to query an existing submission please use the following email: contact [at] mastersreview [dot] com.
Book Reviews, Interviews & Craft Essays
The Masters Review is now accepting submissions of completed book reviews, interviews, and craft essays for publication on our blog. Please do not send pitches or queries to this category. Submissions must be previously unpublished. We do not consider reprints. At the moment, we are unable to pay for book reviews or interviews, but we can pay $50 for craft essays. If you have a pitch or query, please contact us at contact [at] mastersreview [dot] com.
Genre Guidelines
Book Reviews
- Book Reviews must be of books scheduled for a 2025 release. We recommend submitting your review at least one month before the scheduled publication date. Earlier is better.
- Book Reviews should be between 700-1,200 words.
- Include in your review at least one sentence that conveys your overall stance on the book and embolden it. (e.g., The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley ruthlessly interrogates what it means to be successful as a Black woman, a Millennial, and a liberal living in an urban center.)
- Our primary interest are debut authors and indie presses. Occasionally, we will consider and publish reviews from major presses or of notable authors.
- Rarely, we will consider a review for a book with a past release date, but it must have been published within four months. If you have questions about this policy, please contact us at contact [at] mastersreview [dot] com.
Interviews
- We are interested in interviews with authors, editors, agents, or other industry professionals, with a particular focus on recent publications or activity. Our mission is to bridge the gap between new and established writers, so any insight into the profession of writing is valuable (e.g., this interview with agent Miriam Atlshuler).
- Interviews should be between 1,200-2,500 words.
- Please include a bio of both the interviewee and the interviewer with your submission, as well as an introduction to the interview.
Craft Essays
- Craft Essays should focus on a particular aspect of the craft of writing fiction or nonfiction.
- Please do not send craft essays about poetry.
- We are especially interested in craft essays which examine the craft of a particular story. Please see our Stories That Teach and From the Archives series on the blog for examples.
- Craft Essays should be between 1,200-2,500 words.
Submission questions, concerns, and inquiries can be sent to a staff member at: contact [at] mastersreview [dot] com
Author’s Rights
The Masters Review holds first publication rights for three months after publication. Authors agree not to publish, nor authorize or permit the publication of, any part of the material for three months following The Masters Review’s first publication. For reprints we ask for acknowledgement of its publication in The Masters Review first.
