We publish literary writing of the highest quality. We look for poetry and short fiction that startles and entertains us. Reviews, essays, memoir pieces and features should be erudite, lucid and incisive. We are obviously interested in writing that has a London focus, but not exclusively so, since London is a world city with international concerns.
Please refer to The London Magazine before you submit work, so that you can see the type of material we publish.
Submissions will not be read if they stray over the word limits, or if they are not presented according to our submission guidelines.
All submissions sent to The London Magazine must never have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast nor winning or placed (as in 2nd, 3rd, runner up etc) in any competition.
When Submitting Your Entry
Due to the volume of submissions, it may take some time before you receive a response. We do read and reply to every submission.
Postal submissions are accepted but please note that submissions via this portal are preferred.
Postal Address:
The London Magazine
11 Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5EL
Please note that we can no longer return manuscripts to the sender.
Publication in The London Magazine will include all, if not some of the following formats: print version in the relevant issue of The London Magazine, eBook Edition (Kindle) and on our The London Magazine App as well as on thelondonmagazine.org. Please note that your work may be selected for online publication only.
Non-fiction pieces should be between 800 and 2,000 words. Single inverted commas should be used for all quotes/speech. Titles of works including books, plays, film and paintings should be in italics.
Poetry should display a commitment to the ultra specificities of language, and show a refined sense of simile and metaphor. The structure should be tight and exact. Poems should be no longer than 40 lines and no more than 6 poems should be submitted at once.
N.B. If Submitting multiple poems, these should be collated into one document. Multiple document submissions will not be read.
The London Magazine has published short stories by some of the most well-respected literary figures over the course of long history, from Jean Rhys to Raymond Carver and V. S. Pritchett. Our annual Short Story Competition seeks out new voices to join them.
Established to encourage emerging literary talent, the award provides an opportunity for publication and recognition, as well as rewarding imagination, originality and creativity. The London Magazine is taking submissions for previously unpublished short stories that do not exceed the maximum of 2,500 words, from writers across the world.
We are delighted to announce that the stories will be judged by: Tom Conaghan, Eley Williams, R.Z Baschir and Andrew Holgate.
The story that wins first place will be published in a future print edition of The London Magazine. The second and third place stories will be published on our website. Prize winners will also receive cash prizes (see below), and will be celebrated at a prize-giving event in late summer.
Information:
Entry fee: £10 per short story | Subsequent entries: £5 per story
Student/Low Income entry: £5 per story (entrants must submit their stories with a valid university email address / proof of receipt of benefits.)
Note: There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit.
Opening date: 5th May 2023
DEADLINE: 5th July 2023
First Prize: £500
Second Prize: £300
Third Prize: £200
- The London Magazine will have the unrestricted right to publish winning submissions (including runners up) in the magazine and online.
- Subsequent entries should be submitted separately in individual entry forms through Submittable and not in the same document.
- Make sure to include your completed entry form with your submission if submitting by any means other than Submittable. This can be downloaded from our website and sent to us by email or post.
- Please read our competition rules carefully before entering. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie at info@thelondonmagazine.org