You’re a writer, you have finished writing your story and are now looking for a well-maintained list of UK literary magazines accepting submissions. Well you are in the right place!
Or perhaps you are frustrated by trawling through huge lists of UK literary magazines, only to discover that half the publications don’t exist anymore? Or the submission information is out of date?
Or you have to pay for the privilege of killing multiple trees by printing your work, posting it off and hoping to hear back sometime in the distant future, during which you aren’t allowed to do anything else with your masterpiece? Well relax, you won’t find those issues here!
What you will find is a select list of UK literary magazines, personally chosen by myself. Due to the often short-lived nature of the literary magazine industry, I regularly update this list so that it only contains magazines that are a) operating and b) open to submissions from writers and poets.
BOOKMARK this big list of best UK literary magazines and submit your stories at your leisure. Regularly updated, this carefully curated list is a brilliant resource for authors!
Article Contents
UK Literary Magazines Accepting Submissions
These are the best UK literary magazines accepting submissions from authors and poets, with fiction magazines for short stories, poetry magazines accepting submissions and online journals. Get your writing seen by readers in these top UK literary magazines to publish your short story, flash fiction or poem.
Literary magazines are one of the best routes to becoming a published author. You probably won’t make a lot of money from them, but you will gain new fans and forge links within the publishing industry. You don’t always have to aim for the top literary journals to gain an army of fans.
I have also limited the list to (what I believe to be) the more reputable of the best magazines for writers. Those which have been established for a little while, aren’t on an indefinite break and aren’t associated with any specific religious, cultural or political leaning. In this modern age, they must also accept emailed or online submissions and have an appealing, easy to navigate website.
List of Best Magazines for Writers
Amongst these fiction and poetry magazines are several publications aimed at emerging writers. I have also included a couple of my favourite international literary magazines which are open to submissions from UK authors. If you think I have missed any UK literary magazines that fits into the above criteria and deserves to be on this list of the best ones, please let me know via my contact page.
Last checked: October 2026. Every one of these UK literary magazines was checked against its own submission guidelines this month.
How I Check This List
I’ve spent over 21 years in writing and publishing, including as Editor-in-Chief at Birdtree Books, where I read over 100 submissions a year.
Sitting on the other side of the desk taught me what keeps an editor reading: an opening that pulls me into the story or poem within the first few lines, from a writer who has clearly read the magazine and followed its submission guidelines. A short, polite cover letter that lets the work speak for itself always helps.
It also taught me what sends a submission straight to the no pile: ignoring the guidelines on word count or theme, and sending work that shows the writer has never read the magazine. A slow first page and a cover letter longer than the story itself rarely survive the first read.
That’s the experienced eye I bring to this list of UK literary magazines. Every few months I check each magazine against its own submission guidelines, confirm it has published new work or replied to writers recently, and remove any that have closed or gone on indefinite hiatus. Each entry shows whether the magazine pays, accepts reprints, charges an entry fee and allows simultaneous submissions, so you can tell at a glance whether it’s worth sending your work.
To make the list, a magazine has to be open to unsolicited submissions, active within the last year, and free of any religious or political agenda.
UK Poetry Magazines Accepting Submissions
These UK literary magazines publish poetry in print and online, and most read new poets alongside established names.
Acumen
Format: Print
Frequency: Three times per year
Submissions: Poems, literary critiques and reviews of poetry
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: Acumen
The Alchemy Spoon
Format: Online and Print (print on demand)
Frequency: Three times per year, themed issues
Submissions: Up to three poems of 40 lines or fewer, plus essays on poetry and reviews. A special welcome for poets who came to poetry later in life
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free (optional tip)
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: The Alchemy Spoon
Allegro Poetry Magazine
Format: Online
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Poems up to 40 lines, with one themed issue per year
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: Allegro Poetry Magazine
The Frogmore Papers
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Poems and short stories, within strict April and October submission windows. UK writers submit by post only
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: The Frogmore Papers
The High Window
Format: Online
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Poems, poetry in translation, essays and reviews
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: The High Window
Ink Sweat & Tears
Format: Online
Frequency: New work published most days
Submissions: Poetry (up to six poems), short prose up to 750 words, and word and image pieces
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: Ink Sweat & Tears
The Interpreter’s House
Format: Online
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Poetry and short fiction
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: The Interpreter’s House
Magma
Format: Print and Online
Frequency: Three times per year
Submissions: Poems, with a different theme and editor each issue
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid (free for subscribers and people on benefits)
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Magma
The North
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Up to six poems, in set submission windows
Pays: Not stated
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes (tell them if a poem is taken elsewhere)
Website: The North
PN Review
Format: Print
Frequency: Six times per year
Submissions: Poems (up to five pages) in two short windows a year, early December and late June, plus prose about poetry. Subscribers submit by email, non-subscribers by post
Pays: No
Reprints: Not stated
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: PN Review
Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal
Format: Print and Online
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Poetry and criticism, with postal poetry submissions open all year
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not stated
Entry Fee: Not stated
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal
Poetry London
Format: Print
Frequency: Three times per year (March, June and October)
Submissions: Poems and poetry in translation
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid online (free for subscribers, with low-income waivers)
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes (online submissions only)
Website: Poetry London
The Poetry Review
Format: Print
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Up to six unpublished poems or translations of poems
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid online for non-members (free for Poetry Society members, and free by post)
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: The Poetry Review
Poetry Wales
Format: Print and Digital
Frequency: Three times per year
Submissions: Poetry in capped submission windows, plus features and essays on a rolling basis
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Poetry Wales
Propel Magazine
Format: Online
Frequency: Four times per year, each issue with a guest editor
Submissions: Poetry by poets who have not yet published a full-length collection
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Propel Magazine
The Rialto
Format: Print
Frequency: Three times per year
Submissions: Poetry only
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free (optional donation)
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: The Rialto
Stand
Format: Print
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Four to six poems, or short stories preferably under 3,000 words
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: Stand
Tears in the Fence
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Poetry (up to six poems), prose poems, fiction, flash fiction, creative non-fiction and essays
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: Tears in the Fence
UK Short Story and Flash Fiction Magazines Accepting Submissions
These UK literary magazines publish short stories and flash fiction, including genre titles for horror, science fiction and fantasy writers.
3:AM
Format: Online
Frequency: Unscheduled
Submissions: Poetry and short stories
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: 3:AM
Andromeda Magazine
Format: Online
Frequency: Quarterly competition
Submissions: Sci-fi, fantasy and general fiction short stories up to 2,000 words
Pays: No
Reprints: Allowed (tell them where it first appeared)
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Andromeda Magazine
Ash Tales
Format: Online and Audio
Frequency: Unscheduled
Submissions: Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic short stories around 2,000 words
Pays: No
Reprints: Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Ash Tales
Between These Shores
Format: Print
Frequency: Once per year, usually November
Submissions: Literary and supernatural short stories and creative non-fiction, usually submitted by July
Pays: No
Reprints: Allowed (if you hold the rights)
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Between These Shores
Confingo
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Short stories up to 5,000 words and up to three poems of no more than 50 lines. They only reply to work they accept, within three months
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Confingo
Digital Dreamers Magazine
Format: Online platform and magazine
Frequency: Check website
Submissions: Writing, poetry, art and photography by creatives aged 10 to 25
Pays: No
Reprints: Not stated
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: Digital Dreamers Magazine
East of the Web
Format: Online
Frequency: Unscheduled
Submissions: Short stories in all genres
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: East of the Web
Extra Teeth
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Short stories and creative non-fiction, with a focus on writers from or working in Scotland, though it also publishes writers based elsewhere. One piece per submission window
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not stated
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Extra Teeth
The Fiction Desk
Format: Print anthologies
Frequency: Several submission calls per year
Submissions: Short stories between 1,000 and 15,000 words, considered for both The Fiction Desk and Uncertain Stories
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: The Fiction Desk
Fictive Dream
Format: Online
Frequency: Two stories per week
Submissions: Short stories up to 2,500 words, open all year
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Fictive Dream
The Ghastling
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Ghost stories, folk horror and macabre short stories up to 3,500 words
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: The Ghastling
Granta
Format: Print and Online
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Fiction, non-fiction and poetry, in several submission windows each year
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid for prose (free places for low-income writers), free for poetry
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Granta
Gutter
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Fiction, poetry and essays from writers in Scotland and beyond, in spring and autumn submission windows
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not stated
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Gutter
Here Comes Everyone
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year, themed issues
Submissions: Short stories (2,000 words), flash fiction (1,000 words), poetry and non-fiction (1,500 words)
Pays: No
Reprints: Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Here Comes Everyone
Iceberg Tales
Format: Print and Online
Frequency: Unscheduled
Submissions: Short stories, flash fiction, poetry and critiques
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Iceberg Tales
Liars’ League
Format: Live readings, Online and Audio
Frequency: Themed events every two months
Submissions: Short stories and stand-alone novel extracts of 800 to 2,000 words, read aloud by professional actors
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Liars’ League
Litro
Format: Print and Online
Frequency: Four themed print issues per year, plus online
Submissions: Short fiction, flash fiction and creative non-fiction up to 3,000 words on set themes
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Litro
The London Magazine
Format: Print and Online
Frequency: Six times per year
Submissions: Fiction up to 4,000 words, poems up to 40 lines, and non-fiction between 800 and 2,000 words
Pays: Not stated
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid (free submission window in January)
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: The London Magazine
Mslexia
Format: Print and Digital
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Fiction, poetry and life writing by women writers, many slots on set themes
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Mslexia
New Writing Scotland
Format: Print anthology
Frequency: Once per year. Submission opening varies
Submissions: Poetry, short fiction, memoir, drama and other creative writing up to 3,500 words in total, in any of Scotland’s languages, from writers living in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing or inclination
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: New Writing Scotland
Northern Gravy
Format: Online
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Fiction and children’s fiction up to 2,000 words, flash fiction up to 1,000 words, and up to four poems of 40 lines or fewer, from writers based in the UK and Ireland
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Northern Gravy
Open Pen
Format: Print
Frequency: Three times per year
Submissions: Short stories between 1 and 3,000 words
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free for UK writers (paid for overseas writers)
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Open Pen
The Phare
Format: Online
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Short fiction, flash fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: The Phare
Popshot
Format: Print and Digital
Frequency: Twice per year, themed issues
Submissions: Poems (12 to 40 lines), short stories (1,000 to 3,000 words) and flash fiction (100 to 1,000 words)
Pays: No
Reprints: Allowed (if you hold the rights)
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Popshot
Prole
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Accessible poetry and prose
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Prole
Pulp Poets Press
Format: Online
Frequency: Unscheduled
Submissions: Short stories and poems
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Pulp Poets Press
Scribble: The Short Story Magazine
Format: Print and Ebook
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Short stories 1,000 to 3,000 words, with reader-voted cash prizes each issue
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid (free for subscribers)
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Scribble Magazine
Seaside Gothic
Format: Print and Online
Frequency: Four times per year, with week-long submission windows
Submissions: Flash fiction, poetry and non-fiction up to 1,000 words
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Seaside Gothic
Shoreline of Infinity
Format: Print and Digital
Frequency: Digital issues plus print editions, check website for windows
Submissions: Science fiction and fantasy stories up to 6,000 words, plus poetry
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free (optional tip)
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Shoreline of Infinity
Short Fiction
Format: Online
Frequency: New stories monthly, with set submission windows
Submissions: Flash fiction and short stories up to 5,000 words, plus an Introducing section for writers who have never had a story published. No poetry or life writing, and no submissions from the USA
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Allowed (stories previously published in print, tell them where)
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Short Fiction
Wells Street Journal
Format: Online
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Short stories
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Wells Street Journal
Wildness
Format: Online
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Poetry, fiction up to 2,500 words and narrative non-fiction
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Wildness
UK Non-Fiction and Essay Magazines Accepting Submissions
These UK literary magazines publish essays, memoir, travel writing and other creative non-fiction.
Cunning Folk
Format: Print
Frequency: Unscheduled
Submissions: Pitches for essays, journalism, short stories and poetry on magic, mythology, folklore and the occult
Pays: Not stated
Reprints: Not stated
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Cunning Folk
Memoirist
Format: Online
Frequency: Unscheduled
Submissions: Autobiographical non-fiction, including translations, sent with an original photo
Pays: No
Reprints: Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Not stated
Website: Memoirist
Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature
Format: Online
Frequency: Three times per year
Submissions: Literary travel non-fiction, nature writing, travel fiction, flash and poetry
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Panorama Journal
Wasafiri
Format: Print
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Fiction and life writing of 3,000 to 5,000 words, poetry, essays and critical articles. Creative work opens in short windows, while articles are accepted all year
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Wasafiri
US and International Literary Magazines Open to UK Writers
Beyond the UK literary magazines above, these international titles welcome work from UK-based writers.
Hypertext Magazine
Format: Online, plus the print Hypertext Review
Frequency: Rolling online, print twice per year. Submissions open 1 September to 31 May
Submissions: Flash fiction, short stories and non-fiction up to 3,000 words (poetry by invitation only)
Pays: Yes (US-based writers only)
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Paid
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Hypertext Magazine
Loud Coffee Press
Format: Online and Print
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Flash fiction up to 1,000 words and poetry, each with a hint of coffee or music
Pays: No
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: Loud Coffee Press
One Story
Format: Print
Frequency: Unscheduled, one story per issue
Submissions: Literary fiction between 3,000 and 8,000 words, in capped submission periods
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed (stories printed outside North America considered)
Entry Fee: Not stated
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: One Story
The Paris Review
Format: Print
Frequency: Four times per year
Submissions: Prose via Submittable in February, June and October, poetry in January, April, July and October, and both by post all year
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: Yes
Website: The Paris Review
The Stinging Fly
Format: Print
Frequency: Twice per year
Submissions: Short stories, novel extracts, non-fiction and up to three poems, in two-week windows each May and November. Based in Dublin
Pays: Yes
Reprints: Not Allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Simultaneous Submissions: No
Website: The Stinging Fly
Writing Submissions
Pick two or three UK literary magazines from this list that publish work like yours, read a recent issue of each, and send your best piece to the one whose guidelines fit it most closely.
Good luck with your submissions! For many authors, the journey to publication often begins with submitting their work to reputable UK literary magazines. I hope this was a useful curated list of top literary magazines that provide a platform for emerging writers to showcase their talent. It’s fun to explore exciting opportunities for writers as you navigate the diverse landscape of literary magazine submissions.
Want more support with writing, editing, publishing and marketing your book, short story or poetry? Visit my Resources for Authors page for lots more useful links, tips, tricks and advice. Including learning the art of crafting compelling submissions.
Aaron Mullins
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UK Literary Magazine Submissions: FAQ
Do UK literary magazines pay writers?
Some do, most don’t. On this list, magazines such as The Rialto, Poetry London, Mslexia, Confingo, The Ghastling and Wasafiri pay contributors, usually a modest flat fee per poem or story. Many smaller magazines pay in contributor copies instead. Each entry above shows a simple Yes or No so you can filter quickly.
Can I submit the same piece to several magazines at once?
Often, yes. Many magazines on this list accept simultaneous submissions, as long as you withdraw the piece the moment another magazine accepts it. A few, including Acumen, Stand, Tears in the Fence and The Stinging Fly, refuse them outright. Check the Simultaneous Submissions line on each entry before you send anything.
Are submission fees worth paying?
A small fee can be worth it for a magazine you read and admire, especially one that pays contributors. Plenty of good UK literary magazines stay free, so never pay by default. Look for subscriber discounts, free postal options and low-income waivers, which Granta, Magma and Poetry London all offer in some form.
How long do UK literary magazines take to reply?
Expect anywhere between a few weeks and six months. Online magazines such as Fictive Dream often reply within three weeks, while print journals with big slush piles take longer. Some, including Confingo and Popshot, only contact writers they accept, so note the date you submitted and move on after their stated window.
Which UK literary magazines are best for a first publication?
Start with magazines that read often and welcome new writers. Fictive Dream, Ink Sweat & Tears, East of the Web and Wildness all publish emerging voices online, and Short Fiction runs an Introducing section for writers who have never published a story. Read a few recent pieces before you submit.
Huge List of UK Literary Magazines
Before you submit, polish your story with more free resources for writers, all in one place.
Aaron Mullins is a bestselling author and internationally published psychologist with over 21 years in writing and publishing. A former Editor-in-Chief, he partnered with the Worldreader charity and taught Academic Writing at Coventry University. His book How to Write Fiction: A Creative Writing Guide for Authors has become a staple reference for writers.