It was Samuel Taylor Coleridge who said that poetry is “the best words in the best order” and as hard as we’ve tried, it’s difficult to find a definition much more punchy than that. Not necessarily in terms of its subject matter but in the way it’s composed the beauty in the language that’s been chosen and the ability to ensure that each word is weighed, measured and found to say much more than just the word itself. What we look for in poetry is much the same as with fiction - clear writing, being hooked from the first line, being emotionally stirred - but it’s much more a question of beauty. Those stories that hit us in the viscera - the ones that really make us feel something - are the ones we look to publish.
Submission: CURRENTLY until 31st December Young Adult Anthology poems or flash. If a story brings out our gooseflesh, we put it in the magazine. Paper Swans is run by Sarah Miles, supported by a team of talented editors. Thirdly, we love a twist, an unexpected turn or something that will stir the emotion. If the first line makes you want to read the second and the second line makes you want to read the third, that’s where we stumble across the hallowed ground of ‘unputdownable’. Secondly, they capture your attention from the first line, providing enough detail to instantly understand the scene but not so much that the reader’s curiosity is met. Arguably, the best stories are written in such a way that we forget a writer has even written them. Firstly, it must be written clearly and should not be fussy, allowing the reader to lose themselves in the story rather than try to navigate what’s going on. There are three criteria we look for in a fiction submission. In a review by The List, it was noted that ‘the standard of writing is uniformly high, and on this evidence Popshot looks for the best and finds it.’ Submissions It has been named as one of ‘the fresh breed of literary magazines’ by The Independent, ‘the new face of British poetry’ by Prospect and ‘a who isn’t yet who of contemporary literature’ by Dazed & Confused. With a reputation for combining some of the most intriguing contemporary fiction and poetry with some of the finest contemporary illustration, the magazine has become a highly regarded publication for the quality of its writing, its strong visual and design aesthetic, its extremely high production values, and its ability to attract readers both young and old. Since launching its first issue back in 2009, Popshot has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most exciting and accessible literary magazines. Each issue centres on a theme and the selected poems and short stories are then illustrated by some of the world’s finest contemporary illustration talent. The magazine is published bi-annually, releasing a new issue every April and October. It produces content for 17 special interest brands that are published in print and on multiple online platforms.Popshot is an illustrated literary magazine that publishes short stories, flash fiction, and poetry from the literary new blood.
The Chelsea Magazine Company is a boutique publisher based on the King’s Road in Chelsea. It has been released twice a year since 2009, but it will now be published quarterly to meet the rise in demand for short stories. Popshot is an illustrated magazine that publishes short stories, flash fiction and poetry from new literary talent. The birds of paradise cover was designed by illustrator Matt Harrison Clough. It also features an exclusive preview from Bad Romance, a new short story collection by Emily Hill, published by Unbound.
It references all aspects of history and culture – from Tinder to Julius Caesar.
Issue 19 includes stories and poems about first love and secret affairs, deep longing and desperate heartbreak. When can a man approach a woman? Are apps a waste of time? Are all relationships doomed to fail? Without romance, the world would be a poorer, lonelier place.” “The flood of interest in romance during a tumultuous time shows a real and sustained desire for connection, passion and tenderness. Our bright and bold issue conjures up a sense of yearning, promise and excitement. Laura Silverman, Editor of Popshot, said: “In the age of Weinstein and Tinder, romance is having a rough ride. The Romance Issue offers a punchy look at a topical theme, calling for a Romance Renaissance. Popshot ‘s Editors selected 25 stories and poems from more than 800 submissions worldwide. The short story “Cat Person”, written by Kristen Roupenian and published in The New Yorker in December 2017, quickly became one of the most read stories on the site. More than 690,000 short stories and anthologies were sold in the UK in 2017, making these the highest sales since 2010. Sales of short story collections rose 45 per cent last year. The spring issue will reveal a bigger and bolder look for the title in response to an increased demand for short stories among readers. The Chelsea Magazine Company has announced the launch of the latest issue of Popshot, the illustrated magazine of new writing.