Who can submit?
Women poets aged 18+ who are currently based in the UK, including trans women and any individual for whom woman is a meaningful identifier or lived experience, are eligible to submit.
Is there a theme?
The overarching theme is womanhood itself: the joys, the pain, and the defining moments that shape our lives. We’ve deliberately left the theme open to interpretation and we’re excited to read submissions that approach it in unexpected ways.
I’m not a member of the Women Poets’ Network, can I still submit?
Yes. Although the majority of contributors will be selected from within the Women Poets’ Network membership, we also welcome submissions from non-members who meet the eligibility requirements.
If you would like to join the Women Poets’ Network you can do so at any time.
I’m not a published poet/writer, can I still submit?
Yes! You don’t need to be a published poet to submit work for consideration. This opportunity is open to both published and unpublished writers, at any stage of their career.
What is the word limit for the writing sample, and does it need to be a complete piece or can it be an excerpt?
The word limit for your writing sample should be approx. 2000-3000 words. Please send a complete piece rather than an extract.
I’ve already written the essay I’d like to submit, can I use that as the writing sample?
Yes, you can use your existing essay as the writing sample, as long as it has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration for publication. You’ll still need to include the 300 word pitch in your submission.
Is visual poetry accepted?
We are open to submissions of visual poetry but if a poem requires complex typesetting to achieve its effect, this isn’t the right publication. Simpler layouts using typed text might work within our design constraints so we may be able to consider those.
Do poems have to be previously unpublished?
As long as your poems have not been published in another anthology, they are eligible.
Poems previously published in magazines or journals (print or online) or in your own pamphlet/collection are accepted, as long as you still hold your own rights. Please indicate any prior publication when submitting your work.
What’s the deadline?
11.59 pm BST on Sunday 12 October 2025.
Is there a submission fee?
No.
How do I enter?
You can view the submission guidelines here.
If you have other questions or queries that aren’t covered here, please email Degna Stone at