There are currently five ways to submit poetry to Mslexia, including our topical themed ‘Poet Laureate’ slot and our ‘Poems for the Planet’ series curated by award-winning Climate Writer Linda France.

Mslexia Showcase

Twice a year we invite leading authors to select from submissions of poetry and short fiction on a particular theme for the Showcase section of Mslexia magazine. Our curator-judges have included Hilary Mantel, Carol Ann Duffy, Val McDermid, Kate Mosse, Jackie Kay, Pascale Petit, Linda Grant and many more.

Stories must be no longer than 2,200 words and poems up to 40 lines and we pay for every piece we publish. There is no lower word or line limit. You may send up to four poems and/or up to two stories on any one theme. Please ensure your name does not appear on the work itself.

Themes for 2026 will be annouced in December 2025

Salon Showcase (Salon Subscribers only)

A new quarterly feature on the Mslexia blog exclusively for Salon members. Please send poems of up to 10 lines inspired by an alphabet prompt. Theme: F

Deadline: 5 January 2026

Mslexia Issue 109

Poems for the Planet (Subscribers Only)

Climate Writer Linda France will judge poems submitted about the living things that share our extraordinary planet with us and comment on her top choice. Submit up to 40 lines.

The next six eco-poetry challenges will focus on the ‘six pillars’ of global efforts to mitigate climate change

Theme for Issue 109: tba

Poet Laureate

Imagine you are the Poet Laureate whose task it is to respond poetically to news items and issues of topical importance. The subject matter is up to you, though we encourage you to think outside the box – local news as well as world news. No more than 14 lines in length and please include a link to the topic or news item you have chosen.

Eyeverse

A short poem (no more than four lines) on any subject, plus an original illustration – related to the poem – which may be a drawing, painting or photograph, but must be created by the poet herself or by someone who has given permission for the illustration to be used with the poem. The image needs to be suitable for print reproduction, i.e. 300 dpi. To submit: please include the image + poem in either word doc or .pdf format. Please do not submit the image + poem separately or as a .jpg or .png file. 

Deadline for inclusion in Issue 109 of Mslexia: 5 January 2026

Unsure about eligibility, formatting, or what happens to your work after you submit? Visit our Submissions Policy page.