Status: Submissions are currently closed
Open: 21 March – 21 April 2026
About Us
Write Bloody UK publishes 4–8 full-length poetry collections each year. We seek poets whose work is electric on the page and magnetic in the room—not for theatrics, but for presence.
If your poems live beautifully in print and carry weight aloud, we invite you to send them our way.
What We Publish
Full collections only (no chapbooks)
Finished manuscripts of 90–140 pages (roughly 40–60 poems total)
Printed at 6 × 9 inches
Poems that thrive in print and resonate when spoken
Distinctive work from solid writers who craft their work for the page. We welcome all writers, including underrepresented voices
Writers who submit are open to sharing their work at readings or events, and are pretty good at reading out loud
Note: We do not publish “slam books, performance poetry collections, or spoken word books.” Our focus is publishing beautiful, honest poems that have craft + presence.
Submission Guidelines
Send up to 5 poems, maximum 8 pages total
One poem per page, 12 pt Garamond, Times New Roman preferred
Title of manuscript (blind reading process)
File formats: PDF (.pdf) or Word (.doc/.docx)
Filename format:
WBUK2026.SUBMISSIONTITLE.pdf
In your email body include: name, hometown, submission title, short bio, and social handles/website (if any).
Do not put this info on the manuscript.
📩 Email to fern@writebloodyuk.com with a copy of your book receipt. We ask that all those submitting buy one of our titles - there is no submission fee. Only send during submission period. Do not send any submissions outside of the submission period dates, please.
Subject line: Your Name — Submission Title
Process & Timeline
March 21 – 21 April 2026 → Submissions open. Please email us your 5 poems!
Blind read by the editorial team
Finalists announced June 21. Finalists asked for 20 poems (including the original 5 is okay) + a simple video reading (due 21 July). Videos can be links to YouTube, Instagram posts, or videos from a phone
New authors announced at the end of August (books published the following Spring)
All submitters receive confirmation of receipt; finalists get follow-up instructions (Note: full manuscript is 40-60 poems)
If You’re Selected
Work with our team on editing, design, and publicity. You have a voice!
Join us for readings/events (we ask for ~ 20 readings in your first year—these can all be local or tour outside the UK! We know the good spots.)
Maintain a basic online author presence and post poems online. We are not publicists.
Treat publication as a partnership, not just a transaction.
Royalties & Author Copies
50% royalty rate after 500 sold.
Full distribution world wide for your book
Authors are expected to actively promote their book, including purchasing author copies at wholesale cost. Authors keep all profits from books sold live.
FAQ
Do I need previous publications? No. We value strong work over credentials. You can be brand new.
Simultaneous submissions allowed? Yes—please notify us if accepted elsewhere.
Feedback on rejections? Sorry, no (volume). All work is read with care.
Do I need to live in the UK? We prioritise UK-based poets, but international writers connected to the UK community may apply.
Are performance poets welcome? Yes—if the work is strong on the page first.
Submission fee? No. But we do ask that you buy a book.
Not sure if you’re a fit? Read a few of our books. If they feel like kin, you may be right for us.
Bold Voices. Beautiful Books. Write Bloody UK.