SUBMISSIONS

X-R-A-Y Literary Magazine’s vision is to publish uncomfortable, entertaining, and unforgettable prose that shines brighter than the skeleton in your body, prose that sees through the skin and reveals something deeper. We work hard to give our readers the best authors on the planet. 

We publish new stories and features every week. Follow us on  Instagram, Twitter, and wherever else tickles our fancy.

CATEGORIES AT-A-GLANCE

SHORT STORIES (2,000 to 7,500 words): We open these submissions on the 1st of each month. Submissions close when we reach our cap, which may vary from month to month. Every other month we limit these short story submissions to folk who have not submitted short stories to us in the past. 

CREATIVE NONFICTION (300 to 7,500 words): We open these submissions on the 1st of each month. Submissions close when we reach our cap, which may vary from month to month.

FLASH FICTION: (300 to 2,000 words): We open these submissions on the 1st of each month. Submissions close when we reach our cap, which may vary from month to month.

MICROS (up to 300 words): We open these submissions on the 21st of each month. Submissions close when we reach our cap, which may vary from month to month.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• We want prose only. No poetry, please.  
• Wait until you hear from us before you submit again.
• You may submit your work elsewhere, no problem.
• We shoot for a response time of 1-8 weeks.
• We're kind about it, but genre fiction might find a better home elsewhere.
• We'd love for you to look around before submitting. Have at it.

GRITTY BITS 'N' BOBS

• By submitting to us, if accepted, you grant us first electronic rights and non-exclusive archival rights.
• All submissions remain the intellectual property of the artist. Rights revert to author upon publication.
• We'd love if you'd credit us if your work first appeared here.
• Work previously published in print only welcome if in no violation of original rights.
• You'll feel really good if you check out these kick-ass authors.
• Exposure to the website carries a small risk of radiation poisoning. We suggest wearing a lead apron while submitting. 

FLASH FICTION

Your editors: Chris Dankland and Claire Hopple

While we will look at any Flash Fiction submissions up to 2000 words, our sweet spot for this category are 750-1200 words. If you poke at our sweet spot, we will love your bones forever.

ONCE YOU FIND THE SWEET SPOT:

• Submit one piece of up to 2000 words please.
• One piece per submission, please.
• Chris and Claire read and decide upon the last-round Flash Fiction submissions. 
• Wait until you hear from us before you submit again.
• You may simultaneously submit your work elsewhere, no problem.
• Chris and Claire shoot for a response time of 4-8 weeks.
• We'd love for you to look around before submitting. Enjoy.

SHORT STORIES

Your editors: Joshua Hebburn and Alice M.

While we will look at any Short Story submissions up to 7500 words, our sweet spot for this category is 2000 to 4000 words. If you poke at our sweet spot, we will love your bones forever.

ONCE YOU FIND THE SWEET SPOT:

• Submit one piece of up to 2000 words please.
• One piece per submission, please.
• Josh and Alice read all Short Story submissions. 
• Wait until you hear from us before you submit again.
• You may simultaneously submit your work elsewhere, no problem.
• Josh and Alice shoot for a response time of 4-6 weeks.
• We'd love for you to look around before submitting. Enjoy.

CREATIVE NONFICTION

Your editors: Jo Varnish and Michael Todd Cohen

While we will look at any CNF submissions up to 7500 words, our sweet spot for this category is 750-1200 words and 4000-6000 words. If you poke at our sweet spot, we will love your bones forever.

ONCE YOU FIND THE SWEET SPOT:

• Submit one piece of up to 7500 words please.
• One piece per submission, please.
• Please ensure your submissions are creative nonfiction, and check the box to confirm this.
• Jo and Michael are looking for writing that moves, surprises, and engages. Tell them your secrets, expose your inner self, break their hearts!
• Wait until you hear from us before you submit again.
• You may simultaneously submit your work elsewhere, no problem.
• Jo and Michael shoot for a response time of 4-6 weeks.
• We'd love for you to look around before submitting. Enjoy.

MICRO FICTION

Your editor: Jennifer Greidus

• Submit one to three pieces—each no more than 300 words—in one document, please.
• Micros can be fiction, nonfiction, and beyond. ("I don't know what that means.")
• Only Jennifer reads Micro submission. ("I like subtle writing that might disturb your dad.")
• Wait until you hear from us before you submit again.
• You may simultaneously submit your work elsewhere, no problem.
• Jennifer shoots for a response time of 1-4 weeks.
• We'd love for you to look around before submitting. Enjoy.

FEATURES

Your editor: Rebecca Gransden

Pitch Rebecca at rebecca@xraylitmag.com.

We don't take reviews as often as interviews, and we rarely assign reviews to in-house editors. But go on, shoot your shot! Peek at what we publish first.