Free Poetry Submissions April 2026
Submissions are open now! Submit a poem on the theme of “If you say so” for the chance to be published in our next issue.
We are now accepting submissions for our next issue. While the theme and title of this issue is ‘If you say so’, we encourage you to interpret it creatively.
Our favourite poems are the unexpected kind. We love free verse poems that take familiar situations and turn them on their head, using unusual metaphors and drawing parallels no one else would see. Poems with a sense of place and story are always welcome, as are experimental pieces. You can read our latest issue, Signal, to get a sense of the poetry we publish.
The deadline for this issue is May 25th, 2026. Please read our general submission guidelines below before sending us your work:
● It is free to submit your work. Please submit one poem per issue. If you wish to submit more, our poetry competition (prize USD $100) allows unlimited entries.
● Starting with this issue (Issue 18), we offer a USD $10 honorarium for each poem we publish per issue. Payment will be made via PayPal before the issue is published.
● ‘If you say so’ is the title of the issue, and therefore should not be the title of your poem.
● We accept simultaneous submissions. Your work must be original and not published by another publication.
● At this time, we only accept poems written in English. You are welcome to include words and phrases from other languages.
● You must be over 18 years old to submit.
Frequently asked questions
Is there additional guidance on the theme of Issue 18?
The title of Issue 18 will be ‘If you say so’. We prefer to keep the theme loose, as this allows the poem you submit to shape the direction the issue takes.
What is the deadline for poetry submissions for Issue 18?
The deadline for submissions for Issue 18 is May 25th, 2026. We usually leave submissions open for an extra 12 hours to ensure poets in all time zones are able to submit.
Are poets paid for published poetry submissions?
Yes! We now offer a USD $10 honorarium for each poem we publish in our issue. Payment will be made via PayPal before the issue is published.
Do you accept international poetry submissions?
Yes! We are based in the UK, but we accept submissions from anywhere in the world. We have published poets from many countries.
What language should my poem be in?
Primarily English, as our small team of volunteers will only be able to read English poetry. You are very welcome to submit poems which include phrases and words from other languages. You may also submit a translated version of your poem along with the original if you wish. Get creative! As long as we can understand the poem, we won’t disqualify it.
Can I submit my poem for free?
Yes, all our issue submissions are free.
How many poems can I submit per issue?
You can submit 1 poem per issue for free. If you’ve already submitted to the issue and would like to share more work with us, you may enter an unlimited number of poems to our bi-annual International Poetry Competition.
Do you accept simultaneous submissions?
Yes – we accept simultaneous submissions. Please notify us via our withdrawal form if your work gets accepted elsewhere.
How do I submit my poetry and know whether it’s been received?
Just click the button to ‘Submit Your Work’. This will take you to the form, in which you can copy-and-paste your poem(s) and other details. When you submit that form, you’ll see a message telling you to check your email for a confirmation of your submission.
Does my poetry submission require a cover letter / covering note?
No, we prefer to let your poetry speak for itself. You will need to submit a short third-person bio (50 words max) which we publish in the issue if your poetry is accepted. This can be as detailed or as vague as you wish. You may include information of other publications in this bio.
What type of poetry do you publish?
We’re open to anything, but we love free-verse poetry. If you’d like to get a sense of what we’ve published in the past, you can read our previous issues (for free) here.
Are there format / length restrictions for poetry submissions?
None at all. If you are struggling to format your poem in our submission form, feel free to drop us an email. Previous submitters have pasted a Google Docs link into the submission form – this works too.
What are your poetry submission windows in 2026?
As soon as we close one theme for submissions, we open the next. This means we’re always open for submissions! The best way to keep up-to-date with new calls for submissions is to subscribe to our mailing list. You can also follow us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter.
Featured Poems
with a missing teardrop earring
and a face full of questions.
birds flying straight into the Earth.
digging into your cheek.
as though the plane had a hole
in its back pocket
