Welcome, fellow poets!

I’m only listing free-to-submit publications and free-to-enter competitions as, if you are just starting out, you can otherwise spend a fortune. If you have anything poetry-related to share (free-to-submit listings only), please get in touch via email: rosiesandlerwriter@gmail.com – thank you!
Happy writing!
Rosie
Please note: publication on this site does not mean publication editors/competition organisers have been vetted – please do your own checks before submitting.

Visual Verse February 2023

It’s that time of the month when Visual Verse posts a picture, and you allocate yourself an hour in which to write a response. As always, I recommend submitting your piece asap, to increase your chances of having your poem chosen for publication on the website. Review this month’s image by Olga Naida and submit your piece here.

Submit now to Strix

Sorry for the short notice: Strix issue 9 closes to submissions at midnight on 31 January 2023 (UK time). Send up to 3 poems (the editors also take short stories – visit the website for details) of up to 40 lines each, each in a separate file. Read full submission rules here.

Graffiti poems for The Alchemy Spoon

Print publication The Alchemy Spoon will be open from 1 to 28 February 2023 for poems on the theme of ‘Graffiti’. The editors have quite strict rules for formatting your submissions, so visit the submissions page here for full information.

The Alchemy Spoon

This print publication is currently open to submissions for its 7th edition. Send up to 3 unpublished poems (up to 40 lines each) on the theme of ‘Space’ before 30th June 2022. Full details here.

Visual Verse

It’s that time of the month again… One image, one hour to write a response. This month’s image is a photograph by Miikka Luotio. As always, I recommend submitting as soon as possible, to increase your chances of having your piece selected for publication on the website. Image and submission info here. Deadline: 15 May 2022.

Voices for the Silent anthology

UK indie press Indigo Dreams Publishing is seeking submissions of poems for the above anthology, in aid of the League Against Cruel Sports. Poems should be on one of the three themes: Cruel sports in their various forms; Wildlife/the natural world; Environment. The anthology editor is Ronnie Goodyer, who is poet-in-residence at the League Against Cruel Sports. Send up to two poems by the deadline of 31 March 2022. Full details here.

Visual Verse

It’s that time of the month again… You have until midnight UK time on 15th February 2022 to write and submit a one-hour response to the image shown here. Get your piece in asap for an opportunity to see it published on the site.

Enigmas wanted

The Elmbridge Literary Competition offers free entry to young writers aged 5-17. This year’s theme is “Enigma”. Send one poem and/or one story. Deadline: 28 February 2022. Full details here.

Cheshire Prize for Literature

Get your entries in quickly for this one: the deadline is 31 January 2022. The competition, on the theme of ‘Sustainability’, is open to anyone who has lived, worked or studied in Cheshire. There are entry categories for a range of ages, from 4 up to adult (25-plus), and three different genres. Entry is free. Full details here.