Six Questions for Kelsey Ipsen, Editor, Tiny Molecules

Tiny Molecules publishes fiction in any format under 1,000 words. “We love flash, we love experimental, we love saying something big in a small space.” Read the complete guidelines here.

SQF: Why did you start this magazine?

Kelsey Ipsen: I had been interested in starting an online literary magazine for years. I started reading for Carve Magazine and knew from that experience that starting my own magazine was something I really, really wanted to do. I love every aspect of it (apart from sending rejections). It’s also a way for me to be part of, and give back, to the writing community while living in France - The accessibility of an online magazine means a lot to me, and I’m sure to many other writers.


SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a submission and why?

KI: 

• Something a little bit weird and unusual - maybe even uncomfortable. This is the element that gets you to look at something ordinary about human nature in a new/surprising way.
• A story that breaks your heart in a good way, this is what we are getting at when we say ‘tell us how to be human’. This doesn’t mean the story has to be sad though! We love a bit of humour.
• Either a character who is interesting - who has flaws or really delves deep into a certain feeling, or something poetic that forces you to feel some sort of way because the language and imagery is so vivid.

SQF: What most often turns you off to a submission?

KI: People sending something over our word limit. Stories that don’t take chances, because there’s not enough space in flash to play by the rules.


SQF: What do you look for in the opening paragraph(s) of a submission?

KI: Something simple and yet surprising. An opening that throws you into a story without explaining it, then never explains it because you either get it so completely it’s like it’s coming from your own head, or you’re holding on for dear life and the last line is a punch to the gut.


SQF: Many editors list erotica, or sex for sex sake, as hard sells. What are hard sells for your publication?

KI: Hate towards any group disguised as a story, violence without meaning. On the lighter side - a piece that is extremely dialogue heavy is a hard sell, just because it’s a style that tends to not work well with exactly what we are looking for.


SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?

KI: What have you learned, as a writer, from editing a magazine?

Keep submitting. I’ve received a lot of work where I’ve personally loved the writing or the story or both but it just didn’t fit with the magazine. I used to think ‘this isn’t a good fit for us..’ was just a polite way of saying no, but it means exactly what is says. I’ve later accepted work from previous submitters because a different story simply fit better.

Thank you, Kelsey. We all appreciate your taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.