SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
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 This opportunity is open to both published and unpublished writers, at any stage of their career.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 essay or article rather than an extract.
I haven’t pitched an essay before. What should I include?
Your pitch should tell us what the essay will be about. Include a brief synopsis showing what you’ll explore in the essay. Tell us why you want to write it, why it’s important and how it responds to the anthology’s themes.
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Do poems have to be previously unpublished?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. Writing ‘previously published’ at the bottom of the poem is sufficient.
I’m not a poet. Can I still enter an idea for an essay?
This opportunity is for women poets, so we’re looking for submissions from those who regularly write poetry. You don’t have to be a published poet though.
I want to submit to both categories, should I upload everything in one document?
No. Please upload your poems in one document and your essay pitch/writing sample in a separate document.
Do I need to use a specific font or font size?
No. However, we advise using a plain font in a standard size. (E.g. Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman; 10pt – 12pt.)
Do I need to use a file format?
You can upload your submission using .doc, .docx or .pdf files. If your poems have a specific layout, we recommend using a PDF to ensure the formatting is retained.
It says not to use my name in the submission document, so what file name should I use?
You can include your name or initials in the file name. We only ask that your name doesn’t appear inside the submission document itself. When we process your submission, the file will be renamed with a reference number.
What’s the deadline?
11.59 pm BST on Sunday 12 October 2025.
Is there a submission fee?
There is no submission fee, but if you are in a position to do so, donations to support the work of the Rebecca Swift Foundation are very welcom
Are contributors paid for their work?
Yes. The twelve contributors will each receive a fee of £300 + a copy of the the anthology.
One contributor will be selected to have their essay reprinted on the Mslexia blog and deliver a workshop for Mslexia’s Salon members, they will receive an additional fee for this work.
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