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.
Due to the volume of submissions, it may take some time before you receive a response. We do read and reply to every submission. Please allow up to 12 weeks.
We will be open for free submissions during the following periods:
1 – 30 September
1 – 30 November
1 – 31 January
1 – 31 March
1 – 31 May
1 – 31 July
We charge a fee of £3.00 for submissions outside of those windows but if you are a low-income writer and would like to apply for free entry, please read our guidelines for low-income entry. During periods in which our prizes are live, we will be closed for any other submissions in that genre.
The London Magazine is the UK's oldest literary magazine, proud to have published some of the biggest names in poetry including Mary Jean Chan, T. S. Eliot, Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, and Phillip Larkin. Now, we are excited to announce the launch of our Poetry Prize 2024.
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 The London Magazine is taking submissions for previously previously unpublished poems, no longer than 40 lines. We have no criteria as to theme, form or style but we are looking for fresh and diverse new work. The competition is also open to international entries.
We are delighted to announce that entries will be judged by: A. K. Blakemore, Declan Ryan, Rachel Long, and Kathryn Bevis.
All three prize winners will appear in The London Magazine. Prize winners will also receive cash prizes (see below), and will be celebrated at a prize-giving event in late spring.
Information:
When submitting multiple poems, please submit them individually in separate documents, unless stated otherwise in the details below.
Entry fee: £10 per poem
Subsequent entries: £5 per poem
Student entry: £5 per poem
(There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit. Students must use a university email address – .ac.uk or similar – to enter with student fee).
Low income writers: £5 entry (Writers receiving benefits may send up to three poems in one document under this option, but to be eligible please also attach a document proving that you are in receipt of benefits).
Opening date: 13/12/2023
DEADLINE: 31/03/2024
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 Katie at katie.tobin@thelondonmagazine.org
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.
Short fiction should address mature and sophisticated themes. Moreover, it should have an elegance of style, structure and characterisation.
We do not normally publish science fiction, fantasy writing or erotica.
We will consider short stories of up to 4,000 words in length.