Poetry London

What this publication wants

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

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• The best, most exciting poetry being written now — they are always interested in work by unpublished poets as well as celebrated ones.
• A maximum of six poems per submission, electronic or postal.
• An invoice after publication — they only pay on receipt of one.

Subjects they avoid

• Previously published work, except in exceptional circumstances.
• Postal submissions without correct postage — as a small charity they cannot collect underpaid post.

Key requirements

• Submittable or post
• Maximum six poems
• Invoice required for payment

Who can submit

Open internationally — they will reply by email to work sent from abroad, though they cannot return manuscripts from outside the UK.

Rights

They take the first non-exclusive right to publish in the next issue in print and verbatim digital form, in English, plus a non-exclusive archive right. Contributors are encouraged to republish afterwards, with no permissions fee, crediting Poetry London.

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.

Opens in windows. Currently between reading periods.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Submittable, or by post

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submittable, or by post

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Wait for general submissions to reopen on 1 October.
• Submit up to six poems via Submittable, or by post to Niall Campbell at Goldsmiths.
• Send an invoice after publication to be paid.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Reading can take up to four months; no reply within 3 months means no

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.