Submissions

Submissions closed

Send your previously unpublished work as an rtf., doc., or docx. attachment to [redacted]. Follow the Shunn formatting. While not required, a short cover letter is appreciated. You can address it to editors, formercactus (all one word, lowercase), or Cacti. International, diverse submissions encouraged. Authors retain all rights to their work after publication; we simply ask for you to credit formercactus as the site of first publication if your work is then subsequently reprinted elsewhere.

Flash Fiction

That is under 1,000 words, though we will admit a couple hundred extra words if the story truly needs it. Magical realism, transgressive fiction, surrealism are only some of the genres that most seduce us. Up to 2 pieces at a time, same file. The subject of your submission should read FC (Flash) – “Title” by Name/Pseudonym (e.g. FC (Flash) – “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Dumas).

Poetry

While we accepted verse poetry as well, we’re mainly drawn to prose poetry (this concise definition also includes examples). Up to 3 pieces at a time, all in one file. The subject of your submission should read FC (Poetry) – “Title” by Name/Pseudonym (e.g. FC (Poetry) – “Caged Bird” by Angelou).

CNF

Creative Nonfiction. 2,000 words tops. No subject limit. Amaze us with the niches of your knowledge. 1 piece at a time. The subject of your submission should read FC (CNF) – “Title” by Name/Pseudonym (e.g. FC (CNF) – “Against Interpretation” by Sontag).

Art & Hybrids

Send up to high-res photos of your artwork as .jpg, .png, or .gif. There are no media restrictions—paintings, drawings, digital art, sculpture, photography, graffiti, comics, visual poetry, erasures (we’re big fans of Austin Kleon’s work) are all equally accepted. The magpie in us has us drawn to shiny, psychedelic things and to anything that can pack a punch, really. You can choose to include a one-paragraph artist statement. Up to 4 pieces at a time, same email.  The subject of your submission should read FC (Art) – “Title” by Name/Pseudonym (e.g. FC (Art) – “Diego and Frida” by Kahlo).

 

Unfortunately, we cannot offer payment to our authors, but we’ll do the best to promote them online and nominate them for awards. We typically respond within a week, sometimes even earlier. If that’s not the case, feel free to query us.