Literary
Mainstream
Open to all / most themes

As writers, we spend a lot of time alone in the dark, wondering where we are and what we're going to step on next. Most of us carry nothing more than a book of damp matches or a flashlight with failing batteries to illuminate the path. And most of the time, that's the way we like it. But there are times when the darkness is lonely, frustrating, scary, boring. That's when we start squinting toward what we hope is the horizon, looking for the glimmer of a friendly campfire or the gleam of a candle in the window-reminders that there are others nearby who might greet us with nods and knowing eyes. "Searchlights & Signal Flares" is an opportunity to support and be supported by a community of writers, to let a flash of your own light be seen and shared. You are invited to respond to questions, and if your answers adhere to the posted guidelines, they will be published on the website-no fuss, muss or editing. Responses must be clearly related to the topic, but they may appear in any literary form--as letters, poems, journal entries, snatches of dialogue, etc. [Most submissions for the regular, print edition of Tiny Lights come from fee-based contests.]