Fiction
Let me tell you a story
Let me tell you a story pays $10 CAD for each accepted flash fiction piece and states that it never charges fees. Stories run under 1,000 words, one per writer, with the title required to begin "Let me tell you a story...", sent by email as a Google Doc or PDF. It asks for first electronic rights and the non-exclusive right to archive, leaves all other rights with the author, and replies in one to three months. The summer 2026 window ran 15 July to 15 August.
🔴 Currently closed Verified 2026-10
This window has closed. The deadline BRYME recorded was 15 August 2026, which has passed. BRYME has not yet re-checked whether a new window has opened — read the publication’s own guideline below before you pitch.
The docket
The nine things that decide whether a pitch is worth sending. Every answer below is either taken from the publication’s own guideline or computed by BRYME from the 300-publication desk. Where the publication does not say, the docket says so instead of filling the gap in.
- Payment
- $10 CAD per accepted storyBRYME records 1 other records quoting in CAD on this desk that state a figure — too few to rank this one against without over-reading 1 data point.
- Length
- Flash fiction under 1,000 words, one story per writer, title must begin "Let me tell you a story..."
- Who can submit
- Not statedNo stated country restriction on the guidelines page.
- Reading period
- The summer 2026 call ran 15 July to 15 August 2026the page describes the reading season as upcoming and does not announce the next window
- Response time
- One to three months
- Simultaneous submissions
- Not statedThe guideline does not address simultaneous submissions. BRYME records that as silence rather than assuming a yes: if you are sending the same piece to several publications, say so in your cover letter and withdraw it everywhere the moment it is taken.
- AI policy
- Not statedThe guideline is silent. BRYME records that 134 of the 300 publications on this desk do restrict AI-assisted work, so silence here is not permission — ask.
- Rights
- StatedFirst electronic rights and the non-exclusive right to archive the story on the site are requested; all other rights remain with the author, and the writer is free to republish after publication with a credit.
- Experience
- Not statedThe guideline sets no experience requirement. BRYME records that as silence, not as a welcome — a first-time writer is not excluded, but nor are they invited.
What this record does not tell you
This publication leaves 4 of the nine questions unanswered. BRYME publishes that gap instead of filling it — a generated answer would look complete and cost you a pitch.
- Who can submit — the guideline leaves this open, so ask before you spend an evening on the pitch rather than assuming a yes.
- Simultaneous submissions — the guideline leaves this open, so declare it in your cover letter rather than assuming.
- AI policy — assume disclosure is expected unless the editor says otherwise.
- Experience — look at what kind of writer this publication normally publishes before you pitch; its guideline does not say.
Record last human-checked 2026-10-02. Sources listed at the foot of this page. Figures are compared only against other records quoting in CAD on this desk quoted the same way, so a per-word rate is never ranked against a flat fee.
Quick facts
- Payment
- $10 CAD per accepted story
- Word count
- Flash fiction under 1,000 words, one story per writer, title must begin "Let me tell you a story..."
- Submission
- Email lyw.write@gmail.com with a brief message in the body; there is no submission form.
- International writers
- Yes
- Status
- 🔴 Currently closed
- Last verified
- 2026-10
What this publication wants
This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Fiction. Official guideline: Let me tell you a story guidelines.
Topics, themes and styles they look for
- Flash fiction across genres, subjects and perspectives; the guidelines are deliberately minimal.
- Writers both emerging and established, bringing new angles, experiences and styles.
- Work that brings something fresh to its genre and avoids predictable or clichéd approaches.
Subjects they avoid
- Predictable, generic or clichéd approaches - the page asks for something fresh.
- More than one story per writer.
- Pieces of 1,000 words or more - the limit is under 1,000.
- A title that does not begin with "Let me tell you a story...".
Key requirements
- Read the guidelines at https://letmetellthisstory.substack.com/p/submission-guidelines before sending.
- Send to lyw.write@gmail.com - there is no submission form, so include a brief message in the email body with your name and a short introduction.
- Attach the story as a Google Doc or PDF.
- Keep it under 1,000 words, one story per writer, with the title beginning "Let me tell you a story...".
- There is no fee.
Who can submit
No stated country restriction on the guidelines page.
Rights
First electronic rights and the non-exclusive right to archive the story on the site are requested; all other rights remain with the author, and the writer is free to republish after publication with a credit.
AI policy
Not stated in the guideline
How to write for them
Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.
BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.
How to pitch
Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.
- Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
- Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
- Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
- Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
- Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
- Say why it fits this publication.
- Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
- Close professionally and thank them for their time.
- Send through the official channel only.
Not accepting submissions at the last check.
How to submit
Email lyw.write@gmail.com with a brief message in the body; there is no submission form.
Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.
- Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
- Submission: Email lyw.write@gmail.com with a brief message in the body; there is no submission form.
- Submission email: lyw.write@gmail.com
What the guideline asks you to prepare
- Read the guidelines page before sending.
- Email the story to lyw.write@gmail.com with a short introduction in the body.
- Attach a Google Doc or PDF, under 1,000 words, one story per writer.
- Use the required title opening: "Let me tell you a story..."
- Expect one to three months for a response, and note the summer window ran 15 July to 15 August.
What happens after submission
Expected response: One to three months
If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.
Check, question or correct this record
BRYME publishes its working, not just its conclusions. Last human check: 2026-10.