Themed Writing
Twice annually we ask for themed poetry and prose submissions for the Showcase (previously New Writing) section of the magazine. Winners are selected by our Guest Editors (in the past they have included Julia Blackburn, Nicci Gerrard, Pascale Petit, Rachel Cusk and Sarah Dunant) and are published in the magazine. We also make a small payment for most submissions we publish.
We look for stories of up to 2,200 words, poems of up to 40 lines, and short scripts (for theatre, radio or film) of up to 1,000 words (including character names and stage instructions).
Please note: we only accept up to four poems and two short stories per entrant.
Current themes:
PORTRAIT: For Issue 90 we’re looking or pieces about artists and their subjects, about seeing and being seen, about paint, pencil and film. Deadline: 8 March
ROOTS: Our Issue 91 theme is about hidden depths and ancestry, about what nourishes and anchors plants and humans alike. Deadline: 7 June
Submitting your work
Entries are judged anonymously, so please put your name on a separate cover sheet and omit your name from your poem or story. To send us your submissions online, fill in the form below and upload your submission document .
To send your entries by post, write to
Mslexia Publications
PO Box 656
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1PZ.
If you would like an acknowledgement of your submission’s arrival, please include a SAE.
