SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED
This summer, enjoy a new guest call by Pistol Jim!
M.E. Proctor is the guest editor and curator for this call.
In 1,000 words or fewer, write a piece around the theme:
Doors. Gates. Portals. Barriers that are either open or closed, keep you out or let you in—and the reverse—real or imaginary, oak, iron, or gingerbread. Storm them, fling them open, or slam them shut and throw away the key.
Sub are open from June 17th through July 8th, 2026.
SUBMIT HERE along with a short author blurb and any links you want to include:
Series editor:
M.E. Proctor writes the Declan Shaw PI series, Love You Till Tuesday & Catch Me on a Blue Day. She’s the author of two short story collections, and the co-author with Russell Thayer of Bop City Swing and Kansas City Breakdown. She’s a Derringer and Shamus Award short story nominee. On Substack at The Roll Top Desk.
Editor in chief:
James Maxwell is a technical writer from San Jose, California. He primarily writes crime, noir, and horror fiction. Some of his writing influences include Elmore Leonard, Philip K. Dick, Clive Barker, Jim Thompson, and Cormac McCarthy. He spends his time reading, watching films, listening to black/death metal, and playing video games.
His published works include the collection The Bad Sign: Crime and Horror Stories and the novella Put Your Life in the Pot.
Pistol Jim Press is an online literary zine that focuses on grimy flash fiction: Crime, noir, westerns, horror, speculative fiction, and sometimes even the non-gritty.
Hmmmmm…this is going to be good!
Intriguing prompt!