A leading international magazine, where new names share pages with acclaimed contemporary poets. We also publish a wide range of poetry in translation.

Poetry London’s artistic vision is based on the understanding that ‘the best poetry’ includes the broadest variety of styles and subjects, and that the very best of that poetry often acts as an unacknowledged catalyst for change. 

Our understanding of change is that it is argumentative and uninhibited and Poetry London will do all it can to encourage that kind of poetry and be a home to it. Poetry London is committed to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized writers. 

The magazine’s roots are punk and DIY, born as a listings magazine during the austerity years of the 1980s, it sought to provide an alternative to the mainstream establishment by featuring writers from backgrounds often ignored and sidelined. Honouring those origins, we will publish poems that shock and unsettle. These poems will speak of trauma, war and injustice, because that is the world we live in. 

Gloomy, gothic, romantic, you name it. These lit mags remind us of enchanting libraries, misty gardens, and secrets hidden within dusty tomes.

Lit Mags With Dark Academia Vibes

Are there agents that rep poets? Of course there are! While your writing matters most, certain publications are shinier than others and help widen that toe-in-the-door space—like the ones below.

Poetry Magazines That Will Make Agents Notice You

All-time most competitive literary magazines. Getting published in these is a significant achievement for any writer.

Most Competitive Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most competitive poetry literary magazines. These legendary publications are where only the best poetry gets through.

Most Competitive Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Explore the most popular literary magazines of all time. These long-established publications are a staple in the literary world for writers of all genres.

Most Popular Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most popular poetry literary magazines. These outlets have maintained a significant presence in the world of poetry.

Most Popular Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most submitted-to poetry literary magazines. These publications have consistently attracted a high volume of poetry submissions.

Most Submitted-To Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the most submitted-to poetry literary magazines this year. These publications have consistently attracted a high volume of poetry submissions.

Most Submitted-To Poetry-Only Literary Magazines This Year

Poetry London

You may submit up to six poems. Please include them all in the same document and include a cover letter. We are particularly keen to read poems in translation, especially translations from endangered languages.

Poetry London Submissions

First Prize is £5,000, Second Prize is £2,000 and Third Prize is £1,000. 

The judge of the 2026 Prize is Seán Hewitt.

Seán Hewitt is the author of two poetry collections, Tongues of Fire and Rapture’s Road, and a memoir, All Down Darkness Wide. He collaborated with the artist Luke Edward Hall on 300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World. Hewitt has received the Laurel Prize and the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature and been shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and the Dylan Thomas Prize. His debut novel, Open, Heaven, was published in 2024. He lectures at Trinity College Dublin and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

 Entry costs £10 per poem, or £5 per poem for subscribers. 

There are a limited number of free entries for students / unwaged. Please select the correct fee option when you enter. To get the subscriber price, you do not need to be an existing subscriber. You can subscribe using this form, select the 'subscriber' poem fees, and check out at the same time as you pay for your entry.

Poetry London Prize

THE POETRY LONDON PAMPHLET PRIZE WILL HELP WRITERS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND AGES WHO ARE READY TO TAKE THEIR WORK TO THE NEXT LEVEL VIA PUBLICATION WITH POETRY LONDON EDITIONS, THE MAGAZINE’S NEW BOOK PUBLISHING IMPRINT.
The winner will receive £250, publication of their pamphlet with Poetry London Editions and ten author copies of the work. The winner will also be invited to launch their pamphlet at Poetry London’s Spring 2027 Readings.
Submissions Open: August 7. Closing Date: October 1.
This year's judge is Declan Ryan.
Declan Ryan was born in Mayo, Ireland and lives in London. His first collection, Crisis Actor, was published by Faber in 2023. He is poetry editor at Jonathan Cape.
Entry costs are £20 per pamphlet, or £10 per pamphlet for current subscribers. Please only submit 24 pages of poetry.
All files must be either a .doc, .docx or .pdf. All entries will be judged anonymously and the poet’s name must not appear on any page. Entries must be written in English, can be on any subject and can be written in any style or form. Entries are welcome from poets based anywhere in the world and there are no restrictions on themes, subjects or styles.

Poetry London

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Poetry London Pamphlet Prize

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