Submission Guidelines:

FLASH: less than 1000 words

SHORTS: 1000 - 2000 words

STORIES: 2000 – 3500 words max (ok…..maybe a few extras if it really matters)

Occasionally we will run longer pieces but prefer that writers query first.

POETRY: At present there are no calls for poetry

Submission Guidelines:

FICTION:

Like all good rock and roll, sometimes simple is better. But that doesn’t mean we want to sacrifice style, quality, plot development, as well as adverbs and adjectives. We want work that shows an awareness and experience of the grittier elements of the world, stories with a biting, hard edge, and stories worth telling. We’re looking for stories with risk involved and some genuine conflict. But please, no weepy, whining dissertations about suburban malaise or middle class morose, and forget about misunderstood sensitive angst from characters of all ages. We want fiction of consequence.

If you think you get what we mean, then, by all means, send us your work. We can’t wait to read it. Include a short, third person bio with your submission.

We are not a genre -specific publisher. We prefer stories that exist outside of any definable genre. However, we will admit to a preference for stories that contain hints of noir, crime, gothic, old-world toughness, and western, but, again, it should exist largely outside of that too easily definable box. Gritty inner-city noir and rural lit are sweetspots for us. Horror kicks ass as well. Zombies are also okay – especially zombies that do something unique, different, and badass. But they better be cool.

Make sure you specify FICTION and the type of story in the subject line.

It goes without saying that we do not accept pieces that are AI-written.

PLEASE NOTE: Literary Garage IS LBTQ+ INCLUSIVE; WE SUPPORT WOMEN'S RIGHTS; WE ARE POC INCLUSIVE; WE ARE SENSITIVE TO MENTAL HEALTH INCLUSIVITY. Any submission deemed racist, mysogynistic, homophobic, or that slurs any minority group will be rejected. No questions asked. No excuses allowed (creative freedom and artistic license has limits).

For all of you who have asked (and even if you didn't ask, we're going to tell you anyway....Non-Fiction, Essays, and Book Reviews have been shelved for the balance of 2026 while we concentrate on fiction. We've got a number of projects lined up, from anthologies to book publishing to special features, and we'll be focusing on those, as well as fiction.

No bar's complete without a badass armadillo on the shelf.

So, you want to submit. Here's how to do it:

Formatting: Please use Times New Roman in 12 pt font. Double Spaced. Send a Word document, or other standard attachment. If you use certain programs for writing or submitting, it could cause problems with posting, opening and/or formatting. We will try to fix it, but it could lead to rejection.

Send your submission to: submissions@literarygarage.com

Remember to specify the type of submission (Flash, Short Fiction, or Story) in the Subject line. Once received you'll get an auto-generated response indicating that we got your submission. We'll do our best to get back to you with a response. And include your bio - don't force us to make something up.

Submissions

All submissions are free. No reading fees, no hidden charges, no nonsense.

Literary Garage offers a fee-free submission process across all categories. What matters here is the story—nothing else. We respect the craft and the storytelling process, and we believe in giving writers a space to share their work without jumping through hoops or emptying their wallets.

We want to help you grow your writing career. While we can’t offer payment at this time, our goal is to change that as we grow. In the meantime, we’ll do everything we can to promote you and get your work in front of as many readers as possible.

Acceptance grants Literary Garage one-time electronic publication rights. After that, all rights revert back to you.

Some other things you should know:

How soon should I expect a response?

We’re aiming for a 3-4 week turnaround, though that could shift depending on how many submissions roll in. We get it—there’s nothing worse than sending off something you’ve poured your heart and guts into, bleeding all over the page, only to wait 4 to 6 months for a one-line form rejection.

You’re a writer. You deserve respect—and a timely reply.

If you haven’t heard from us after 5 weeks, feel free to nudge us with a quick query.

Do you accept simultaneous submissions?

Absolutely. Just let us know if your work gets accepted somewhere else.

Do you accept multiple submissions?

No. We ask that you please only send one piece at a time.