FAQ
WHAT IS THE GREAT FLASH FICTION WAR?
Fiction Wars are seasonal writing competitions giving modern fictioneers 3 DAYS to create a short masterwork.
These three days are called the 3-DAY FICTION WAR. All entries must be 1000 words or fewer.
WHY ONLY THREE DAYS?
Three days is the perfect amount of time to write a perfect short story. Writers will be given the prompt on a Friday and have until the following Monday to create, edit, and submit their work. Having a short deadline isn’t for everyone, but the satisfaction of finishing a meaningful project only a few days after beginning from a blank page is unmistakable.
CAN WRITERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE PARTICIPATE?
You must be at least eighteen or the legal age of majority where you reside, to register via Eventbrite.
CAN WRITERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES PARTICIPATE?
Yes. Writers only need an internet connection to upload their stories.
HOW MANY WRITERS WILL COMPETE?
Although we do not publish the number of entries/submissions, we hope to have at least 200 entrants.
So far, we have fewer — we're building up — we like your chances.
IS THERE KNOWN CRITERIA?
Yes. Your story will likely be judged by how it answers the following basic questions: Is it fiction? Is it interesting?
Will the reader want to begin the story? Will the reader want to finish the story?
Is the author's discipline evident in the editing? Is it a finished product?
An extraordinary, captivating opening is profoundly fundamental.
(Not only for short fiction, not only for fiction, and not only for writing.)
Telling a story that pulls the reader onward is the single-most critical literary element.
Having a voice and a proper personal style (that doesn't get in the way of the story) will distinguish your work.
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” —G. Vidal
Do not underestimate efficient, clean writing, and a clear narrative, without all the clutter.
Take it easy on the adverbs and adjectives. Just say the damn thing.
WHAT IS THE PROMPT?
The Fiction War Prompt isn’t likely to be “person, place, thing,” nor “genre, character, conflict.”
It is much more likely to be an essential statement or theme that might drive the work.
How that is accomplished is 100% dependent upon individual interpretation.
HOW CLOSELY MUSt I FOLLOW THE PROMPT?
How faithfully your story embraces the spirit of the prompt is a large part of the judging criteria, directly alongside style.
For most writers, the challenge will be how the prompt inspires what is already within them.
Some, may indeed leave the words out entirely. The prompt is simply given, the rest is up to you.
— It is requested that you do not use the prompt in your title —
DOES MY SUBMISSION HAVE TO BE IN ENGLISH?
No. But if written in a language other than English, the judges/editors will unlikely be able to read it.
DOES MY STORY NEED A SYNOPSIS?
No. Including a summary/logline of your story is not recommended.
It will count towards the 1000 word maximum.
CAN I SUBMIT PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN MATERIAL?
No. Entries must be original, previously unpublished work, created expressly for and during the 3-Day Fiction War. Previously written material is not likely to have been inspired by a writing prompt given in the future.
FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS?
Fiction War Magazine does not yet have a formal style guide. We are developing formatting RECOMMENDATIONS.
When these are completed, we will make our guide available for pre-flighting submissions.
Entries will be converted into probably Helvetica once received for judging.
WHAT FILE FORMATS ARE ALLOWED?
Currently, the only required format is editable text — rtf is preferred — follow the Submittable instructions.
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COMPLETED STORY?
Once the prompt is announced, submission will be directly via the Submittable link as provided.
WHO OWNS THE RIGHTS TO STORIES CREATED DURING THE COMPETITION?
Full publishing copyrights, are retained by YOU the author. By submitting work, authors agree to grant Wolvesburrow Productions first publishing rights and continuing, non-exclusive rights to reproduce the submitted work as part
of the specified anthologies, including, but not limited to online, ebook, and print.
For works not selected for publishing, all rights are solely held by the author.
HOW MUCH EDITING should I expect?
All submitted works are expected to be finished products to the best of each author's abilities.
Works selected for publication shall be subjected to a comprehensive, single-stage copy/line/developmental edit,
and formatted for Fiction War Magazine electronic and print editions.
Following Fiction War first publication, authors can submit/publish edited or
unedited versions freely, at their discretion.
CAN I SHARE MY WORKS?
All publishing rights belong to the author, so you can certainly do what you like with your work.
However, if a submitted work can be found via online search, it may be considered “published.”
That said, we support and encourage privately sharing works among peers for in-depth critique and feedback.
As long as the work is identified as being shared for this purpose everything is cool.
We ask and advise you to preface your shared work with an indication that it has been submitted to the Fiction War for current judging, by the slight chance that a judge might stumble upon it before reading it for the first time from your submission.
If your work is selected for publishing in Fiction War Magazine, please do not publish elsewhere before it is released.
Awards are contingent upon first publishing within Fiction War Magazine.
WHEN will FEATURED WORks be awarded?
Awards payable via PayPal within 30 days of print publication. We often send payouts as soon as
uncorrected proofs are confirmed received. To date, every author whose work is featured in Fiction War Magazine
has been paid in full before the issues became available for purchase. This will continue without exception.
ARE CONTRIBUTOR COPIES DISCOUNTED?
Yes. We will offer contributor copies at the following quantities:
5–9 copies are $8 each. 10–19 copies are $7 each. 20 copies or more are $6 each.
Prices listed include shipping to most US addresses.
Send us a note at fictionwarmag@gmail.com, and we'll arrange the order immediately.