The Top 30 Places to Publish Flash Fiction — 2022 List

For the second year in a row, I’m sharing my list of the best literary journals to submit flash fiction (stories under 1000 words), as determined by international creative writing awards.

One point is awarded for every winning story from a journal honored by Best Small Fictions, Best Microfiction, the O Henry Prize, Best American Short Stories (BASS), the Wigleaf Top 50 (longlist mentions receive half a point), and the Pushcart Prize (as determined by Clifford Garstang’s list here). Winning flash fiction stories from both 2021 and 2022 are included, since journals build reputations over time.

To see last year’s list, go here. And for an inside look at how literary journals select which stories to submit to award competitions, read this interview with an editor.

2022 2021 Literary Journal            Total Points
Rank Rank
1    14   The New Yorker              38.5
2    2    X-R-A-Y Literary Magazine   15
3    new  Ploughshares                14
4    1    Wigleaf                     13   
5    5    matchbook                   12.5
6    6    No Contact                  12
     3    Okay Donkey                 12
7    8    American Short Fiction      11.5
     6    HAD                         11.5
     4    Smokelong                   11.5
8    4    Cincinnati Review           11
     5    Fractured Lit…