Here are some of the lesser-known speculative fiction markets looking for flash fiction. while paying $0.05-$0.11/word:

Small Wonders Magazine publishes original and reprint flash fiction and narrative poetry with a touch of sci-fi or fantasy wonder—new pieces appear three weeks each month.

See their guidelines at: https://smallwondersmag.com/submissions

Future of Sex is a science fiction market launched in 2024 that pays $70 for stories of 800-1000 words. They want erotic but not overly explicit science fiction stories exploring “how technology is changing human sexuality. Science fiction has always been the genre to help society better understand the evolving world around us and speculate on future possibilities. Fiction provides permissiveness to explore the unknown and often controversial topics, such as the intersection of technology with sexuality.”

See guidelines at: https://futureofsex.net/sex-science-fiction-writers

Apex Magazine Monthly Flash Fiction Contest is free to enter. Monthly themes are announced on the 7^th of the month. They pay $0.08/word or $10 (whichever is more) for fantasy, SF or horror flash fiction under 1000 words that matches their monthly theme.

Check their website for their monthly themes and guidelines at: https://apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/apex-magazine-flash-fiction

Frozen Wavelets is an e-zine of speculative flash fiction and poetry that pays $0.08/word for speculative fiction stories of 750 words or less, and $1/ line for poetry up to 10 lines. They “will not buy anything about vampires, but otherwise say ‘nothing is forbidden here, provided is original (i.e., NO fanfiction) and remains in the SSF&H domain. We encourage writers to push boundaries, in format and topics. Tell us something we haven’t thought of (yet), and tell it well.”

See guidelines at: https://earthianhivemind.net/frozen-wavelets

If There’s Anyone Left pays $0.08/word for speculative fiction stories under 1000 words, written by marginalised writers. “We want science fiction and speculative fiction. So long as it falls into one of these categories, we will happily read it. If other elements are present, that is fine, but it must include science or speculative fiction.”

See their open windows and guidelines at: https://www.iftheresanyoneleft.com/submission-guidelines

Factor Four Magazine pays $0.11/word for stories under 1000 words. They “publish flash fiction in the genres of speculative fiction, specifically science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, super hero, or any combination of these. We are looking for stories that are engaging to our readers in such a short word count. Please take note of these factors (pun intended) when submitting stories to us.”

See their guidelines at: https://factorfourmag.com/submissionsinfo

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Avery Springwood is a science fiction writer and artist living in the UK. When she’s not working, she can be found spending time with her family, walking in woodlands, growing vegetables, making clay creatures, or trying to find time to read speculative fiction stories.