Flash fiction can be a fun way to practice your writing. In fact, a lot of places online allow for submissions of these ultra-short stories with the potential for making a few bucks on the side. You could go so far as to create an anthology with these small tales on a long list of platforms.
For instance, you could offer a free eBook on something like Wattpad or Inkitt full of these short tales. It would make a great marketing tool for your more serious works that are published on sites like Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
In any case, there is a lot that you can do with a 1,000-word story that you might not realize.
What Is Flash Fiction?
Flash fiction is an ultra-short story that is usually between 300 to 1,000 words long. However, some have stated that flash fiction could be as few as 10 words in total. Though, these are usually referred to as micro-fiction.
They are quite common on social media sites and are usually the result of a writing prompt. The prompts can be anything from a single word to a picture someone posts online.
For example, I’ve seen prompts where the original poster used an image and then asked people to write a story using only six words about what they saw. This could be considered micro or flash fiction.
You’d be amazed by how entertained you can get from just six words. Most of the ones I wrote were quite comical…at least, I thought so, anyway.
For the most part, people will use these kinds of prompts to increase engagement from the writing community. In turn, the algorithm winds up favoring the individual, giving them a greater reach.
In my case, I’ll respond with my dark and twisted sense of humor to get a laugh.
6 Benefits of Writing Flash Fiction
I believe there are benefits to writing of any kind, really. Although each type and length differ, it’s always worth your time to sit down and hammer something out, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction.
So, why would you want to commit to such a short burst of writing?
Doesn’t Take Long
Writing flash fiction doesn’t take a lot of time away from your day. It’s something you can crank out while taking a break from work or while sitting in the bathroom instead of doom-scrolling on social media.
Of course, that also depends on the length of the piece. For instance, a 1,000-word story might take me between 45 minutes to an hour. Or, I could write a 300-word piece in less than 15 minutes.
The point is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time writing an ultra-short piece of fiction. It can be anything from dialogue with a bit of description to simply laying out background ambiance.
Practicing Short Scenes
As with any other type of writing, flash fiction gives you a chance to practice. However, because the writing is so short, it also gives you the chance to practice scenes and dialogue within its context.
Instead of keeping in mind the entire plot of an 80,000-word novel, you can essentially crank out whatever comes to mind. In this case, practicing segments you’d like in those longer books.
Yet, the premise behind the piece would be to make sure it makes sense to the reader. Flash fiction should be self-contained to a degree to keep the reader engaged.
It’s a Lot of Fun
For me, writing ultra-short clips is fun, especially with those under 10-word prompts on Twitter or Threads. The twisted side of my nature takes those prompts to a whole new area than was probably intended.
Then again, any writing for me is fun. So, I could say the same thing whether I’m cranking out a six-word joke line or a 120,000-word novel.
Regardless, these short writing prompts can offer a bit more fun as you’re not overly stressed about the entire plot or obscene amounts of research going into the piece. You’re more relaxed, and it could simply be something from the cuff.
Engaging Others on Social Media
When you’re responding to flash fiction prompts on social media, it’s engagement. And if you can come up with a few witty or funny lines, you pique the interest of others. This is a good thing, especially from a marketing perspective.
People are more likely to follow an account if it’s active. In other words, being “social” on social media is a boon.
I’ve attracted quite a few followers simply because they liked what I wrote in response to the writing prompts. A couple of them have long since subscribed to the YouTube channel. So, it’s worth taking a few moments to engage others on social platforms to help grow an audience.
Building Your Online Reputation
Any time you have a chance to publish something online, you should consider doing so. It’s all a part of marketing, and getting your name in front of as many people as possible is ideal.
This is part of the reason why I am dominating the Google search for my name. Between the author blog and the social media posts, I am very easy to find.
A lot of publication sites for flash fiction will help you gain notoriety. And as an author, a large portion of your success centers around your name.
After all, you are supposed to be in the public eye.
Potential for Some Quick Cash
There are a lot of places where you can publish flash fiction on the Internet. And some of them will even pay you for submitted works that they accept. So, something that took around 20 minutes to write could earn something like $100.
The amount you can make with these short clips depends on the platform. Not all of them are going to pay you the same rate. Some will pay you a flat fee while others may pay you per word. But the point is that some of them will pay you relatively well for what’s involved.
Now, this doesn’t mean every submission will make you money. You still have to write something those websites want to publish. But the potential is there if you can line up several good-paying sites and provide some amazing stories.
7 Places to Submit Your Flash Fiction
There are a lot of places where you can submit your stories online. Some offer prizes and payments, while others are just reading platforms to help you build an audience. In any case, it’s never a bad idea to check out what sites you can use to promote yourself as an author.
In this article, I’m only going to talk briefly about seven places where you can submit your flash fiction. Eventually, I want to create a much longer list, including the perks of each site. But until then, here are some platforms that may host your writing.
1. Wattpad
Wattpad has been around since 2006 and has been host to a slew of stories from authors. Built on a community mindset, it helps you gain followers and fans while submitting virtually any kind of writing you wish.
Well, within reason – while following their guidelines.
Over the years, Wattpad has introduced a variety of elements that can help creators gain the spotlight and make a few bucks. For example, Wattpad Originals and the Creators program are prime for the more experienced authors, while various writing contests can provide notoriety and cash prizes.
Something else that might pique your interest is the Wattys. The Watty Awards aims to find the cream of the crop on the platform and is awarded every year for author excellence.
From the perspective of flash fiction, you can post your stories on your profile for all to read. In fact, Wattpad has a section dedicated to flash fiction of all kinds.
2. Inkitt
Inkitt is a platform similar to Wattpad in that you can submit your stories for free for all to read. The submission process is a bit more strict, as Inkitt analyzes your submitted chapters immediately to ensure you’re following their guidelines. Wattpad does not.
Inkitt has a built-in publishing opportunity in Galatea, where authors can earn royalties from select books. One such author claims to have made about $15,000 per month with Galatea, but I cannot find real corroboration of the claim. It seems some of it is locked behind a paywall.
In any case, you also have the Author Subscription Program, various writing contests, and the Ambassador Author Program.
Aside from the paid elements, Inkitt has a great platform for publishing and reading various types of stories. It’s but another method you can use to promote yourself while building an audience who may potentially buy your book at a later date.
Inkitt also has a Flash Fiction category for your stories, which can lead to more eyes if you’re using the right tags for your tale.
3. Craft
Craft started as a literary magazine in 2017 and has since expanded to include creative nonfiction in addition to fiction. So, regardless of the type of story you want to write, you can submit it to Craft.
Craft doesn’t charge fees for submitting your work, and they have a year-round general submission. If your submission is accepted, you could see a payment of $100 to $200, depending on the length of the story.
For example, if you submit a flash fiction, it could earn you $100. Of course, that’s if the story is accepted. There’s no guarantee that they’ll accept or publish the piece.
There’s no harm in submitting your writing. But if you just want to see your work on a platform, there are others that you can use to simply engage an audience.
Remember, not all writing needs to focus on generating revenue. Sometimes, a good story that earns a couple hundred followers is worth more than $100, especially if you plan to publish a book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble in the near future.
4. Flash Fiction Online
Flash Fiction Online is a free online magazine that pays its writers a professional rate. That means you’ll receive about $0.08 per word for original pieces of fiction.
Like other submission sites, Flash Fiction Online has certain deadlines for specific submissions. For example, April 1st through the 30th focused on “Wilderness Horror,” which is to be published in the October 2025 issue of the eZine.
You also have to keep in mind that it’s a first-come-first-serve platform. It also depends on the issue that they are planning to release.
For instance, the April general submission portal closed on the 10th once they hit 400 stories. However, the Wilderness Horror call is open to 1,000 submissions.
Nonetheless, you can submit your short stories with the hopes of getting included. And since it doesn’t cost you anything but a few moments of your time, you might as well.
5. Reedsy Weekly Writing Contests
Every week, Reedsy hosts a short story writing contest in which you can win $250 in cash to your PayPal account. Runners-up may get a $25 credit toward Reedsy services, of which there are many.
Now, the contests for Reedsy are usually 1,000 to 3,000-word submissions. This makes them just a bit longer than what is considered “flash fiction.” But if you’re able to crank out a bit more story, it could net you some prize money.
One of the highlights of the Reedsy writing contests is being added to the free literary magazine produced by Reedsy, “Prompted.” Selected winners are added to this publication, easily adding to your writing resume.
Although I haven’t won one of these contests, I have a strong inclination they are legit. I am an affiliate for the Reedsy masterclass and have been paid out when I make a sale. So, I am confident they’ll pay out for the winning stories.
Not to mention taking the masterclass itself and how I promote the Studio writing app.
You also get a public profile page that you can share where others can read stories you have submitted due to the writing prompts. If anything, I view it as a great way to market yourself even if you don’t win prize money.
6. Writing Battle
Another competitive website for flash fiction is Writing Battle. Here, you submit your 500-word story (with a $20 entry fee) to compete with others. Prize money can range anywhere from $200 up to $1,700 depending on how well your story performs with the judges.
Writing Battle has a bit of a different take than your run-of-the-mill submission site. The contest utilizes drawing a few virtual cards for the writing prompts, and you have to fit all three into the story. You have a limited number of redraws should something not stick right with you.
Your story then competes with others in the same genre.
After you submit your story, you can then be a part of the community and leave feedback for others. It’s a great way to get involved in a writing community while considering constructive criticism from your peers.
You can earn “cards” to use in a personal prompt generator and other personal projects. These cards are earned through participating in the battles or by joining “Raids” of assigned writing prompts.
It’s a neat idea with a bit of gamification, and the cards are familiar to Tarot. If you’re looking to challenge yourself, Writing Battle might be one worth considering.
7. Flash Fiction Magazine
Flash Fiction Magazine hosts contests and connects writers with other writers. They also have opportunities to volunteer as readers for the stories to highlight which ones are worthwhile.
You don’t have to enter the contest for the chance that Flash Fiction Magazine publishes your stories. They have a general submission section where they publish seven new stories every Wednesday to their subscribers. If anything, that might help boost recognition amongst those who enjoy your work.
Workshops, mentors, AMAs, and more are also available depending on your needs and skill level as a writer. Of course, a lot of these services come with a slight price tag. Still, there is a lot to check out at Flash Fiction Magazine, even if you’re only interested in the contests themselves.
The magazine has been around since 2015 and has quite a decent reputation. Although I haven’t entered their contests myself, I am heavily debating on submitting short stories for their weekly newsletter. Then again, I view most things like this as a form of marketing myself as an author.
Nonetheless, Flash Fiction Magazine is easily on my short list of sites to dive into.
Do You Write Short Stories?
I believe that writing short stories is a great way to practice your skills. Even if you don’t plan on publishing them anywhere, it’s still worth your time as you work on your style and flow. Getting feedback from some of the sites above is just icing on the cake as you improve.
Until I decided to dive a bit into flash fiction, I had no idea there were so many submission sites for the short stories. After I wrap up my next two books, I’ll definitely explore what the platforms have to offer.
As I pointed out earlier, just getting your name in front of more readers may help with marketing outside of those sites. Plus, it wouldn’t be a bad feather in your cap to add to your resume if something wins a contest or if you’re published in a newsletter.
Truth be told, I’m a bit eager to test out Writing Battle a bit more. With the “cards” element, it’s easily one of the more unique on the list.
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