‘Superbloom’: New Cover Art by Weiwei Xu

Where Flowers Bloom

Weiwei Xu puts a little spring in our springtime step with gorgeous cover art for Issue 30, Spring 2021.

As Weiwei tells us, ‘Superbloom is an ode to wanderlust in solitude and the joy of discovering new places. Real-life superblooms happen when a lot of native desert flowers suddenly sprout simultaneously, usually after heavy rains. They’re beautiful to behold, but a tourist influx will destroy them — it’s much better to enjoy superblooms through art and photos than to trample them in person.’ 

So join us as we tiptoe through the virtual tulips, and check out this lush landscape by Weiwei Xu:

Weiwei’s graphic short ‘Chimæra’ appeared in Issue 28, and is described by the artist as ‘a story about gaining a new perspective on a culture you’ve been told you represent, but which you have never really understood — and then finding a way to resolve your identity as part of that culture. [Weiwei] hopes their work will resonate with anyone who grew up divided between cultures. To read ‘Chimæra’, pick up a copy of Issue 28.

Order your copy of Issue 30, Spring 2021!

And for more of Weiwei’s work, visit their website!

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Weiwei Xu is a self-taught Chinese-Canadian artist who loves to play with Chinese folklore and casual fantasy in their work. Weiwei has some sort of science degree, which, while not particularly useful, occasionally manifests in their art. When they are not drawing, they can be found making noodles or deep diving into local forest trails and internet rabbit holes. You can find more of their work at @peevishpants on Twitter, @itscoolguylink on Instagram, or theweiweixu.portfoliobox.net/home. 

Now it’s Your Turn: The 2021 Hummingbird Flash Fiction Prize!

We are delighted to announce that the 2021 Hummingbird Flash Fiction Prize is now open!

What super stories, what fabulous flash, what pleasing prose do you have for us this year?

And remember, this contest comes with …

A $300 Top Prize!

… and publication in Pulp Literature Issue 33, Winter 2022! How’s that for flashtastic?

Master of flash Bob Thurber is back in the judge’s seat. And for a look at last year’s winners, pick up a copy of Issue 29, Winter 2021.

Details and How to Enter

Closing 15 June, this contest is for previously unpublished short fiction. And remember: tell those terrific tales in under a thousand words.

All entry fees include a 1-year digital subscription to Pulp Literature.

And why not add on a professional critique by one of our editors for only $25 more?

For all the details and to enter, visit the contest page.