The latest short fiction, poetry, promotions and happenings from Popshot Magazine and our extended network.
CHARLOTTE PHILBY INTERVIEW: I DON’T WANT TO GLAMOURISE THE WORLD OF ESPIONAGE
The author of A Double Life and The Most Difficult Thing speaks to Popshot editor Matilda Battersby. Illustration by Richard Allen. Charlotte Philby has the ideal surname for a writer […]
February 18th 2020
THE MYSTERY ISSUE IS HERE
The Mystery issue is now on sale in bookshops, WHSmiths and online. The 27th issue of Popshot is a collection of vivid writing exploring our fascination with solving riddles, disentangling […]
February 6th 2020
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SUBMISSIONS FOR SUMMER 2020 ISSUE ARE OPEN
We are now accepting short fiction and poetry for our 28th issue on the theme of ‘earth’. Send in your writing before 9am GMT on Monday 2 March 2020. It’s […]
January 31st 2020
PLAYING THE GAME
In Jessica Squier’s brilliant short story we learn that the toss of the coin may not always bring random consequences, especially when love and friendship are in play. Illustration by […]
January 7th 2020
NEST
This poem by May Blythe is about how an unexpected, unlooked for encounter can bring about a dramatic change in perspective and trajectory. Illustration by Dóra Kisteleki. I thought I’d […]
December 20th 2019
MOST TERRIFYING THOUGHT
This poem by Criselda Cayetano featured in The Chance Issue of Popshot Quarterly. Illustration by Wendy Denissen. Most Terrifying Thought the possibilities of the lives that we can live are […]
December 12th 2019
WHY CHANCE IS ALWAYS POWERFUL
In every issue of Popshot Quarterly we include quotes related to the theme by big names in the world of literature. Illustration by Jason Lyons For The Chance Issue we […]
December 2nd 2019
THE CHANGE
This incisively witty short story by Rowena Fishwick examines mermaids, puberty, girlhood and motherhood. Illustration by Ran Zheng It started a little before my fourteenth birthday. The day was hot […]
November 20th 2019
JOE DUNTHORNE INTERVIEW: THE BIGGEST JOY OF WRITING IS NOT KNOWING WHERE I’M GOING
The Chance Issue of Popshot features a poem written by award-winning author Joe Dunthorne who first made his name with debut novel Submarine and whose first collection of poetry, O […]
November 14th 2019
THE CHANCE ISSUE IS HERE
The Chance issue is a collection of vivid writing exploring luck, opportunism and coincidence. This issue includes stories ranging from the allegorical to the worryingly real: from the slaughter of […]
November 7th 2019
PATCHED
Aaron Menzel was inspired to write short story “Patched”, featured in The Escape Issue, after undergoing laser eye surgery. Illustration by Matthew Brazier “How much longer?” “Not much, Mrs Asvang. […]
November 5th 2019
SUBMISSIONS FOR SPRING 2020 ISSUE
We are now accepting short fiction and poetry for our 27th issue on the theme of ‘mystery’. Send in your writing before 9am GMT on Monday 2 December 2019. UPDATED […]
November 1st 2019
BABY ELEPHANT
Is there a baby elephant in your writing room? Farhana Khalique’s flash fiction describes the weighted down feeling of stalled creativity. Illustration by Jake Williams Baby Elephant is trying to […]
October 17th 2019
TO THE GARDEN
Luciana Francis’s beautiful poem ‘To The Garden’ likens new parenthood to nurturing a garden. Illustration by Sophie Parsons. the last word I said before they raised you to the lights […]
October 8th 2019
WHAT FANTASY MEANS TO GEORGE RR MARTIN
The author of the Game of Thrones books’ definition of ‘fantasy’ featured in the current issue of Popshot magazine. Illustration by Harry Woodgate. “The best fantasy is written in the […]
September 27th 2019
SIDE GIG
In Andrea Holck’s brilliant (and she would like to make clear, not autobiographical!) story, we find out what one woman is willing to do for £50. Illustration by Esther Lalanne. […]
September 16th 2019
THE BLUNDERGAFFE
Florianne Humphrey’s poem was inspired by an American President and Lewis Carroll’s ‘Jabberwocky’. Illustration by Mitt Roshin. The Blundergaffe ‘Twas quickly that the Blundergaffe, Did raise its slithy head when […]
September 9th 2019
CHANCE ISSUE UPDATE: SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
We are no longer accepting submissions for the 26th issue of Popshot. Illustration by Martina Messori. Well, you had your chance. And we very much hope you took it — […]
September 2nd 2019
JOANNE RAMOS INTERVIEW: ‘THE IDEAS IN MY BOOK HAD BEEN STEWING IN MY HEAD FOR DECADES’
The Fantasy Issue of Popshot includes flash fiction by the author of bestselling novel ‘The Farm’. Illustration by Ewelina Rynkiewicz Joanne Ramos, whose debut novel The Farm, about a surrogacy […]
August 16th 2019
THE FANTASY ISSUE IS HERE
The Popshot editors are pleased to introduce the latest instalment of our journal, The Fantasy Issue! We asked our contributors to write about their wildest dreams; to examine whether fantasy […]
August 8th 2019
SUBMISSIONS FOR THE WINTER 2019 ISSUE
We are now accepting short fiction and poetry for our 26th issue on the theme of ‘chance’. Send in your writing before 9am GMT on Monday 2 September. The Chance Issue […]
August 1st 2019
OBSOLETION
This flash fiction by Luke Larkin which featured in The Nostalgia Issue of Popshot was inspired by his father’s cassette tapes. Illustration by Toby Morison. Dad lived in a time […]
July 23rd 2019
HANGING ON TO A MOVING HOME
This piece of flash fiction by Joshua Preston reflects on the experience of moving and making a life, or lives, with a loved one. Illustration by Jan Siemen. Stretching its […]
July 8th 2019
ALL FOR LOVE
This poem by John Reinhart is about an unusual character who will stop at nothing to find love. Illustration by Sam Dunn I tried inverting tried changing my skin grew […]
June 27th 2019
THE WOODEN VIKING
This piece of flash fiction by Alice Spotorno was inspired by a wooden Viking that stands at the entrance to her local park. Illustration by Charlotte Price Erik lives in […]
June 21st 2019
HOLLIE MCNISH: I’M NO GOOD AT POLITE CONVERSATION
The poet Hollie McNish, whose exclusive new poem features in The Escape Issue of Popshot, speaks to editor Matilda Battersby about writing and parenthood Hollie McNish’s viscerally honest memoir and […]
May 29th 2019
STRANGERS
Charlotte Spires explores the idea that we romanticise strangers, even those lovers we once knew so well who have since become strangers. Illustration by Karolina Burdon Strangers There are strangers […]
May 23rd 2019
STORY PUBLISHED IN POPSHOT TO BECOME A FILM STARRING COLIN FARRELL
A family discovers just how attached they’ve become to their robotic helper in Alexander Weinstein’s unsettling speculative fiction piece, taken from his new short story collection, Children Of The New World.
May 10th 2019
THE ESCAPE ISSUE IS HERE
The Popshot editors are pleased to introduce the latest instalment of our journal, The Escape Issue! We asked our contributors for writing about escape in all its forms, from disappearing […]
May 9th 2019
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FOR AUTUMN 2019
The Fantasy Issue At Popshot we are asking for submissions of poetry, flash and short stories on the theme of fantasy. The next issue will be about fantasy, so we […]
May 1st 2019
Saint Merle of the Desert
Flash fiction by Brian Winters. Illustration by Dave Cutler Lee was already into his second cup of decaf when he saw Caryl pull his pick-up into the Black Bear Diner […]
April 8th 2019
A Stay-at-Home Dad Documents His Sex Life on a Fitbit
Short story by Ryan Shoemaker, whose short story collection is titled ‘Beyond the Lights’ For dinner, make Lisa’s favourites: the Southwestern kale and black bean salad and the organic chicken […]
April 1st 2019
My Brilliant Career
By Barbara DeCoursey Roy. This poem was inspired by an abandoned baby handed into the hospital where she works one Christmas Deposited in a cardboard box on the doorstep of […]
March 21st 2019
Sheila
By Anne Walsh Donnelly, a poet from the West of Ireland. Illustration by Aurélie Garnier. Sheila burns the queen cakes Mam told him to make so she won’t ask him again. […]
March 8th 2019
When I Cook
Oeil Jumratsilpa is a London-based copywriter who loves to read, paint and cook. Illustration by Eric Chow Here, I say, is my story: on a plate or in a bowl […]
March 5th 2019
The Barber
Sherry Morris is a UK-based writer from America’s heartland. This story was inspired by her love of facial hair. Illustration by Robbie Cathro The men who come and sit in […]
March 1st 2019
A Receipt for Our Romance
Jade Cuttle tots up the sum total of a brief relationship. This poem is the unlikely product of Jade Cuttle’s stint as a litter-picker. Jade has performed her poetry on […]
February 13th 2019
Identify great writing
At Popshot Towers, we are delighted to introduce the arrival of our 23rd edition, The Identity Issue Identity has been the subject of art since the earliest humans daubed pigment […]
February 7th 2019
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FOR SUMMER 2019
The Escape Issue At Popshot we are asking for submissions of poetry, flash and short stories on the theme of escape. SUBMISSIONS FOR THIS ISSUE ARE NOW CLOSED The next […]
February 1st 2019
FEELING NOSTALGIC?
Drum roll, please. The team at Popshot Towers is delighted to announce the launch of our 22nd edition, The Nostalgia Issue.
November 16th 2018
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FOR SPRING 2019
The Identity Issue The editors of Popshot are looking for submissions on the theme of identity. Writers are invited to examine how the self is formed or undermined, how society […]
November 2nd 2018
We took six poets and five illustrators and asked them to create work about nostalgia
We’re delighted to share nostalgic work from poets and illustrators who took part in our first workshop with UnFOLD and Lyrix Organix at the House of Illustration
October 1st 2018
UNDERSONG
Lizabeth Yandel’s poem explores a past relationship through the thick lens of nostalgia. Illustration by Nik Neves
August 9th 2018
REGRET
David Romanda’s poem was inspired by a childhood encounter with a neighbour. Illustration by Joseph Crisp
August 1st 2018
WE MISSED FLYING THE MOST
A boy longs for his girlfriend – and sleep – in this bittersweet story by Lydia Ruffles. Illustration by Ruth Kingsbury
August 1st 2018
THE DREAM ISSUE IS HERE
We are delighted to announce the launch of Issue 21, The Dream Issue. Our cover illustration is by Vector That Fox
August 1st 2018
ASTRAL
This poem by Helen Cox follows two characters in a transatlantic love affair. Illustration by Charlie Davis
July 31st 2018
JOIN OUR FREE POETRY AND ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP
We’re launching our first workshop this month with Lyrix Organix and House of Illustration in London. Sign up here
July 23rd 2018
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE WINTER 2018 ISSUE
It’s what you’ve all been waiting for… the announcement of the theme for our next issue
July 16th 2018
CLAIRE
Young love, fate and betrayal are explored in Alex Amey’s short story about old school friends. Illustration by Sara Gironi Carnevale
July 5th 2018
THE DREAM ISSUE IS ALMOST READY
We’ve chosen the poems and stories, our illustrators are scribbling away, and we’re preparing the pages
July 4th 2018
TOWNS LIKE OURS
A woman delights in exposing secrets in William Hillier’s sizzling short story. Illustration by Alexandru Savescu
July 4th 2018
AIRBAG
Lucy Winrow’s poem suggests that even small acts can ease what seems like insurmountable grief. Illustration by Ivan Canu
June 21st 2018
THE DREAM ISSUE: AN UPDATE
We’re sifting through your submissions and will soon be selecting your short stories and poems
June 11th 2018
IN THE SUN’S SHADOW
Justin Dolby’s fantastical short story of sentient plants is guaranteed to produce a sniffle. Illustration by Vector That Fox
May 31st 2018
THE ISLAND
The truth remains unsaid in this moving poem by Ruth Steadman. Illustration by Cody Muir
May 25th 2018
JUDE
Our friends’ lives often turn out quite differently from our expectations, as Ian Inglis’s narrator finds in this short story. Illustration by Junghyeon Kwon
May 10th 2018
WELCOME TO THE TRUTH ISSUE
The stories and poems in our 20th issue explore truth and half-truths, lies and revelations. Illustrations by Daria Skrybchenko
May 2nd 2018
THE NIGHT EVA GOUEL’S WORLD TILTED
A painful truth in a relationship is exposed in this poem by Jo Burns. Illustration by Sibel Ekemen