London Magazine

Submitting your work

Writers should approach The London Magazine with polished, literary work that demonstrates a strong command of language and narrative. The magazine favors stories and poems with depth, subtlety, and emotional resonance over experimental or genre-driven pieces. For the Short Story Prize, adhere strictly to word limits and deadlines; read past winners to gauge tone. Simultaneous submissions are typically accepted, but notify promptly if accepted elsewhere. Always include a brief, professional cover letter and ensure your manuscript is formatted cleanly. Patience is advised, as response times can be lengthy due to high submission volume.

Nonfiction pieces should be between 800 and 2,000 words. For short fiction, above all we look for elegance in style, structure and characterisation. We are open to both experimental and traditional forms, although we do not normally publish genre fiction such as science fiction or fantasy writing, or erotica. Please make sure they are no more than 4,000 words in length. Poetry should display a commitment to the ultra-specificities of language and show a refined sense of simile and metaphor. The structure should be tight and exact. Poems should be no longer than 40 lines. Please submit no more than five poems in any one submission.