Superlative — The Literary Journal operates at the intersection of print permanence and digital accessibility: its online journal remains free to read, while the annual competition culminates in a print edition that gathers winners, runners-up, and shortlisted pieces. This dual platform suggests an editorial vision that values both the archival weight of print and the democratic reach of open-access literature. The competition is not merely a prize but a curatorial act—selecting work that will represent the journal's aesthetic for a full year. For the 2027 cycle, the journal seeks poetry and short fiction linked to the theme of HORIZONS. The term is deliberately expansive, inviting interpretations that range from the geographical to the psychological, the historical to the speculative. The journal's stated encouragement of transgressive work indicates a receptivity to writing that challenges formal or thematic boundaries, provided it is previously unpublished and entirely human-authored. The prohibition of AI-generated work underscores a commitment to authentic literary labor and individual voice. Winners receive a £500 prize, publication in the annual print journal, and promotion of their bio and social media handles. Beyond the immediate award, Superlative nominates its winners for major external prizes—Pen America, Pushcart, Best of the Net—and continues to promote them after publication. This ongoing advocacy suggests a genuine investment in the writer's trajectory rather than a one-off transaction. The journal also offers specific, individual feedback from its editors at no extra cost, a rare provision that respects the submitter's time and craft. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, with the courtesy of notification upon acceptance elsewhere. The earlybird submission fee is £15, with a 25% discount available before the standard deadline of 1 January 2027.