Nightingale Press News | Contest Results & What’s Next

So. Here we are.

We opened a flash fiction and poetry contest, read everything you sent us, had a few logistical hiccups that I am choosing not to elaborate on in a public forum, and came out the other side with something (a few somethings) that genuinely impressed us.

That part I will elaborate on.

The Winners

Thank you to everyone who submitted. Truly, we read some amazing stuff. The quality of submissions we received made the judging difficult (in the best way). That’s the only complaint I have.

Without further ado…

First Place: No Good Deed — Verdant Butterfly

Second Place: Seaglass in the Magnolias — LM Sypher

Third Place: The Jacket — Ana Rotea

Congratulations to all three.

Their pieces will NOT be posted in the Wrizzit digest. They’re being published in the anthology. If you’re curious about them or want a sneak peek, tune into our Live event (more details below).

What Happens Next (The Part You’re Probably Here For)

Live Reading | May 15th

On May 15th, we’ll be doing a live reading of the winning pieces. We’ll also be hosting a Q&A during that live—if you have questions about anything Nightingale-related, that’s your window. Let us know what time frame works best for you in the comments!

Anthology Submissions Are Open

Annnnnd we’re back to work. Direct submissions for the anthology open May 15th and close June 15th. Here’s what you need to know:

Theme: Les oiseaux du mal — An Anthology of Rot

For our inaugural anthology, Nightingale Press invites explorations of the sinister. We are looking for work that inhabits the space where morality fails. Submissions must center on themes of revenge, violence, or the various masks of evil. Whether your interpretation is psychological or visceral, we seek stories that embrace a state of total corruption, however you choose to portray it.

Word count: Under 3,500 words.

Accepted forms: Flash fiction, short fiction, and poetry—judged as a single pool.

We are also accepting art submissions; please include proof of process.

Entry fee: Free. One story, one poem, and one piece of art per person MAX. We cannot allow more than that this go-round.

Paid feedback: $75 per story doc. Structured developmental critique from the Nightingale editorial team. This is how we fund what we do.

How to submit: Through our website ONLY.

We ask that you not submit reprints. First English translations are accepted, provided you hold the rights. Simultaneous submissions are fine. Just let us know immediately if your piece gets picked up elsewhere.

Prizes: We are still working out this detail. Obviously, you’ll get published in the anthology + a free story doc on your piece. As for pay—for transparency purposes—we’re bouncing between pay-per-word ($0.10-0.12) or a flat rate ($250). We will have an update well before submissions open—but we are author first, so your opinion matters here.

So lets hear your thoughts—also in the comments.

Winners in the art category will receive a flat payment. Amount TBA.

Flagship Manuscript Pitch Event | June 1st

The pitch event for our flagship manuscript is happening on June 1st. It will run as an open thread on Wrizzit—drop your pitch in the comments, pick up a reaction from the team if we’re interested, and DM your email from there.

Full details in the post linked below.

Nightingale Press News | Flagship Manuscript →

A few things we need on the record

No AI. None. Not for the story, not for the poem, not for the manuscript, and CERTAINLY not for the art.

“But what if I just use it to plot? What if I only—”

AHT AHT. I don’t want to hear about it. You know damn good and well what I mean.

If your AI use can be replicated with nothing but Google (i.e. research, dates, timelines, name suggestions), I do not care.

But we will conduct interviews to verify ownership of the work, just like we did with the flash fiction contest. Please include your contact information in case we need to reach you. I will grill you as if this were a matter of national security. I’ve been watching a LOT of John Kiriakou videos. It is in your best interest not to lie to me.

Thank you again to everyone that participated in our inaugural flash fiction and poetry competition, as well as those of you who have commented, shared, and subscribed. We wouldn’t be here without you. More soon.

—Nightingale Press

Questions? info@nightingalepublishing.press