Popshot | Journal

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

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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

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. […]

June 11th 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