Mslexia

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Poetry, Fiction. Official guideline: Mslexia guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Poetry and short fiction on the announced theme for the Showcase section, chosen by a guest curator-judge — past judges include Hilary Mantel, Carol Ann Duffy, Val McDermid, Jackie Kay and Kate Mosse.
• Up to four poems and/or up to two stories on any one theme.
• Stories no longer than 2,200 words and poems up to 40 lines. There is no lower word or line limit.

Subjects they avoid

• Your name anywhere on the work itself — submissions are read anonymously.
• Submissions to subscriber-only slots if you are not a subscriber or Salon member.

Key requirements

• Online form
• Women writers
• Theme-specific
• Name must not appear on the work

Who can submit

Mslexia is a magazine for women's writing and its submission routes are for women writers. Some individual slots (Salon Showcase, Poems for the Planet) are restricted further to subscribers or Salon members — check the specific slot before submitting.

Rights

See their Submissions Policy page.

AI policy

Not stated in the guideline

How to write for them

Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.

BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.

How to pitch

Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.

1. Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
2. Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
3. Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
4. Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
5. Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
6. Say why it fits this publication.
7. Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
8. Close professionally and thank them for their time.
9. Send through the official channel only.

Open now, but closes on a stated date.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Online form on the relevant submissions page

Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Online form on the relevant submissions page

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://mslexia.co.uk/submit-your-work/ and pick the right slot — there are five separate poetry routes.
• Check that slot's own deadline and whether it is subscriber-only.
• Submit through the form on the page, with your name off the work itself.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Not stated

If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.