Submissions
Here's what we accept. No exceptions.
Flash Fiction (100 to 1,000 words, TWO stories maximum)
Short Stories (1,000 to 5,000 words, ONE story maximum)
Poetry (up to THREE poems on separate pages or in separate files).
Please submit in only ONE of these categories at a time. Wait until you have heard from us before you submit again. If you do not follow these guidelines your submission(s) will be discarded unread. Remember, if you can't be bothered, we can't be bothered.
For information about submission formats, please visit the Guidelines page.
Submission Entry Form
To upload files you must be a registered user and use the Submission Entry Form. (If you aren’t, just click here - it’s free.) We Do Not Accept E-Mail Submissions
Once you’ve received the confirmation email and have logged in, You'll see some new options on the sidebar. Click on the link that says "New Submission".
Submissions must be attached as .DOC (MS Word) or .RTF (Rich Text Format, Word Pad). DO NOT paste your poem or story in the notes area—reserve that for a cover letter or other details about your submission. There is a list of quality software programs and tools here.
When we have reviewed your story or poem, we will then enter our comments on your post. You can check the status of your story, see the editors' comments and respond back by clicking "View your submissions" on the sidebar.
We do not pay to publish the work we choose, however, the stories and poems in our online issues are included in an annual print anthology, and authors will receive a free copy.
Please keep in mind that the comments posted by ThirdReader's editors are our honest opinions regarding your work, and are intended to be constructive. We will never be unnecessarily derogatory or seek to embarrass our contributors. You may or may not agree with our assessments of your writing, but please always remember that we are doing our best, and that our opinions are based on our experience and what we believe is solid literary theory. This site will only succeed if both the editors and contributors agree to keep the discussion at a friendly, professional level. Let's make this work!