Poetry, Fiction
Mslexia
Mslexia is a magazine for women's writing that pays for every piece it publishes. The Showcase section takes stories up to 2,200 words and poems up to 40 lines on a set theme, judged by a guest curator. Several current slots close on 5 October 2026.
🔴 Currently closed Verified 2026-09
This window has closed. The deadline BRYME recorded was 5 October 2026, which has passed. BRYME has not yet re-checked whether a new window has opened — read the publication’s own guideline below before you pitch.
The docket
The nine things that decide whether a pitch is worth sending. Every answer below is either taken from the publication’s own guideline or computed by BRYME from the 304-publication desk. Where the publication does not say, the docket says so instead of filling the gap in.
- Payment
- Not statedPays for every piece published — rate not stated. The publication publishes no figure BRYME could record. That is not the same as unpaid — but you cannot price the work from this page.
- Length
- Stories to 2,200 words; poems to 40 lines
- Who can submit
- Restricted to a stated groupMslexia 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.
- Reading period
- Several current slots close 5 October 2026check each slot, they run to their own dates
- Response time
- Not statedNo response time recorded. A follow-up after two to three weeks is reasonable; silence past that is a soft no, not a rejection.
- Simultaneous submissions
- Not statedThe guideline does not address simultaneous submissions. BRYME records that as silence rather than assuming a yes: if you are sending the same piece to several publications, say so in your cover letter and withdraw it everywhere the moment it is taken.
- AI policy
- Not statedThe guideline is silent. BRYME records that 138 of the 304 publications on this desk do restrict AI-assisted work, so silence here is not permission — ask.
- Rights
- StatedSee their Submissions Policy page.
- Experience
- Wants some prior publicationIncluding big-name commissions and as-yet-undiscovered newcomers, we publish over 60 women in every issue. — https://mslexia.co.uk/submit-your-work/ (read 2026-09-30)
What this record does not tell you
This publication leaves 4 of the nine questions unanswered. BRYME publishes that gap instead of filling it — a generated answer would look complete and cost you a pitch.
- Payment — pitch only if you are comfortable negotiating the fee itself, or ask before you write.
- Response time — expect to wait blind, and keep other pitches live.
- Simultaneous submissions — the guideline leaves this open, so declare it in your cover letter rather than assuming.
- AI policy — assume disclosure is expected unless the editor says otherwise.
Record last human-checked 2026-09-06. Sources listed at the foot of this page. This record holds no figure BRYME could compare, so no ranking appears above it. Where a rate is quoted per word, it is never ranked against a flat fee.
Quick facts
- Payment
- Pays for every piece published — rate not stated
- Word count
- Stories to 2,200 words; poems to 40 lines
- Submission
- Online form on the relevant submissions page
- International writers
- No — see eligibility
- Status
- 🔴 Currently closed
- Last verified
- 2026-09
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.
- Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
- Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
- Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
- Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
- Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
- Say why it fits this publication.
- Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
- Close professionally and thank them for their time.
- Send through the official channel only.
Not accepting submissions at the last check.
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.
Check, question or correct this record
BRYME publishes its working, not just its conclusions. Last human check: 2026-09.