Thank you for your interest in , a semi-annual literary magazine published in Forest Lake, MN.  We are currently seeking original, unpublished short prose up to 3,500 words in length.  Short shorts are also accepted. We accept manuscripts year round.  We are looking for stories that are experimental in nature and have an edge to them. We like characters that are damaged in some way. Everyone has something to hide, skeletons in the closet, or behaviors that would surprise others. We are looking for strong character development. Give us fiction characters we want to care about. Send us your best.  We do not publish stories written under a specific genre. No horror, sci-fi, or stories about ghosts, rape or murder. No religious stories, erotica, or stories for children.          No poetry.  Submissions can be sent in the body of an email to metalscratches@metalscratches.com.  Hardcopy submissions must be typed and double-spaced, sent with SASE or return email address for response, to the following address:  P.O. Box 685  Forest Lake, MN  55025  Please do not send originals, as manuscripts will not be returned.   will pay two contributor copies of the issue in which the work appears and a one-year subscription to the magazine.  acquires First Serial rights to publish and reproduce the material in print and online format. After publication, all rights revert back to the author.  Sample copy for $5, checks payable to Kim Mark.