The latest short fiction, poetry, promotions and happenings from Popshot Magazine and our extended network.
WEARING HOPE
Louise Green’s poem paints hope as a magical coat that protects both the wearer and […]
April 6th 2018
Can you handle the truth?
An update on The Truth Issue. Plus, reading and writing news from Popshot Towers
April 5th 2018
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NOW OR NEVER
Making the first move is always the hardest, finds the protagonist of Hugh Todd’s flash fiction piece. Illustration by Giuseppe Di Lernia
April 4th 2018
WHAT WE’RE LEFT WITH
Lynsey Morandin’s short story was inspired by her relationship with her mother – the good […]
March 28th 2018
HANGING ONTO A MOVING HOME
Joshua Preston’s flash fiction piece reflects on the experience of moving and making a life […]
March 23rd 2018
THE DISAPPEARANCE
A woman becomes part of a mysterious worldwide disappearance during a great war in this […]
March 15th 2018
THE TRUTH ISSUE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUBMISSIONS
The submissions window has closed for The Truth Issue. We’re wading through your wonderful tales […]
March 1st 2018
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE X IS GONE
Kirsty Dunn suggests how to reignite the passion in a relationship in this satirical manual. […]
February 27th 2018
APP DATING WITH JULIUS CAESAR
What if the Romans had Tinder? Jake Attree’s poem imagines dating apps in another time. Illustration by Partners in Crime
February 26th 2018
SMALL ANIMALS
A wave of heartache has inspired this poem by Cristina Haraba. Illustration by Daria Skrybchenko
February 8th 2018
THE ROMANCE ISSUE HAS ARRIVED
Our spring edition comprises short stories, flash fiction and poetry encapsulating the yearning, promise and excitement of romance
January 25th 2018
ALL FOR LOVE
John Reinhart’s poem offers a vignette about an unusual character who will stop at nothing […]
January 25th 2018
UNE AFFAIRE DANGEREUSE
Robin Vicary’s mesmerising short story takes us to nineteenth-century Paris. Illustration by Emily Wren
January 25th 2018
HOW TO CATCH FIRES
Barry Charman’s flash fiction piece explores the allure and danger of romance. Illustration by Joseph Crisp
January 25th 2018
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN: THE TRUTH ISSUE
Send in your short stories, flash fiction on the theme of truth for our 20th […]
January 15th 2018
THE ROMANCE ISSUE: PROGRESS
A long-awaited update from the editorial team two weeks until the spring issue goes on sale
January 15th 2018
IN THE PLACE OF OUR PARENTS
What happens when we sleep? Ethan Chapman’s chilling short story explores one of his childhood fears. Illustration by Jude Labuca.
January 2nd 2018
HALO
Oeil Jumratsilpa’s poem celebrates those few people who inspire you live better and with more spirit. Illustration by Jai Kamat
December 7th 2017
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ROMANCE SUBMISSIONS
Our inbox is overflowing with hundreds of your short stories and poems. Now we just have to select the finest. Illustration by Yu Ming Huang.
December 6th 2017
THE WHITE FOX
L P Lee’s short story was inspired by East Asian folklore surrounding the mysterious fox spirit. Illustration by Vector That Fox.
December 1st 2017
SHULA AND THE SUN
Hannah Thompson’s short story plays with the light and dark of fairytales. Illustration by Ashley Floréal.
November 2nd 2017
VERNAL EQUILIBRIUM
Steve Harrison’s poem comes from the idea that changing light affects both nature and humankind’s behaviour. Illustration by Thomas Pullin.
October 24th 2017
SUBMISSIONS FOR THE ROMANCE ISSUE ARE NOW OPEN
We are now accepting short fiction and poetry submissions for our nineteenth issue on the theme of ‘Romance’. Send in your writing before November 27th.
October 9th 2017
THE SHORTEST DAY
Andrew Hanson’s short story explores the significance of the tales we tell ourselves about our past. Illustration by Burcin Pervin.
October 4th 2017
LEARNING TO UNLEARN
Jenna Heller’s poem is a parent’s prayer, urging young minds to stay open to the unknown future and all its possibilities. Illustration by Yaimel Lopez.
September 25th 2017
DUMBING DOWN
Rob Stuart’s short story envisages what could happen if a machine became more intelligent than humankind. Illustration by Nevena Katalina.
September 20th 2017
ADVENT
A poem by Luciana Francis, written during her early months as a mother to celebrate witnessing the birth of a voice. Illustration by Marco Melgrati.
September 15th 2017
THE MEN OF BURR
Set in post-war America, Ty Landers’ short story tells the tale of an outcast who became a local hero. Illustrated by Masoud Keshmiri.
September 12th 2017
BLACK INK
A poem by Sean Chard, written after observing hundreds of rooks in a copse while lost in the summer fields of Norfolk. Illustration by Pedro Semeano.
September 5th 2017
CHILDREN OF THE NEW WORLD
Inspired by internet scams and porn culture, Alexander Weinstein’s story explores the dark corners of the digital world. Illustration by Nicole Rifkin.
August 31st 2017
THE GUTTER LIVES WITHIN
A poem by Elles Rebelles, written about the journey people take when travelling in and out of heroin addiction. Illustration by Max Temescu.
August 29th 2017
FOOTPRINTS
Set in a dystopian future, Tracy Fells’ short story follows three girls as they break away from an oppressive regime. Illustration by Mike Lees.
August 23rd 2017
EXORCISM
A potent poem by Gavin Bryce, written after the difficult and potentially dangerous birth of his son. Illustration by Ashley Mackenzie.
August 15th 2017
AUTUMN PLUNDER
A selfless villager finds her annual act of kindness is at risk of being misconstrued in Lucy Brown’s short story. Illustration by Zoë van Dijk.
August 10th 2017
EMULSION
A poem by Matthew Fieldhouse, written to address the vast differences between oneself as a child, and as an adult. Illustration by Tobias Hall.
August 5th 2017
EXODUS OF THE DEAD
Joshua Preston’s flash fiction piece addresses the sudden nature of loss and the various aspects of weight associated with it. Illustration by DAQ.
July 29th 2017
SOME OTHER DAY
Inspired by conversations with his 92-year-old father-in-law, John Rowland’s poem considers the ultimate adventure. Illustration by Bren Luke.
July 24th 2017
DRAGGING THE LAKE
A young boy finds his summer taking a peculiar turn when his mother goes missing in Ethan Chapman’s short story. Illustration by Cristian Fowlie.
July 18th 2017
TEA FOR JELENA
Set in the foggy calm of the Faroe Islands, Matthew Landrum’s poem revels in the present moment. Illustration by Daria Skrybchenko.
July 13th 2017
TRUE ABNORMALITY
A deceitful creator of strange creatures finds his scepticism challenged in Alys Hobbs’ curious short story. Illustration by Phil Couzens.
July 11th 2017
KILLING TIME
A poem by Jim Stewart-Evans, taking a comical and violently literal approach to the notion of killing time. Illustration by Tavis Coburn.
July 6th 2017
THE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE FUTURE ISSUE
Every illustration from our most recent issue has now been added to our growing library of Popshot-published artwork over on Pinterest.
July 1st 2017
A REMINDER TO SUBMIT YOUR WRITING TO THE LIGHT ISSUE
There are now less than four weeks left to submit your poems and short stories to our next issue on the theme of ‘Light’.
June 29th 2017
HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE
Drew Tapley’s short story follows a castaway as he desperately searches for new forms of hope and distraction. Illustration by Mitt Roshin.
June 27th 2017
POST-NATAL
A poem by Zelda Chappel on how the arrival, and departure, of a newborn changes one’s understanding of time and its value. Illustration by Ashley Floréal.
June 15th 2017
LEAVING HOME
Set in a Britain on lockdown, Eleanor Matthews’ short story sees the protagonist make a bid for freedom against all odds. Illustration by Tim Laing.
June 12th 2017
MONKEY BARS
Carmina Masoliver’s poem addresses society’s view of pole dancing by drawing parallels with playing on monkey bars. Illustration by Paul Garland
June 7th 2017
SUBMISSIONS FOR THE LIGHT ISSUE ARE NOW OPEN
We are now accepting short fiction and poetry submissions for our eighteenth issue on the theme of ‘Light’. Send in your writing before July 25th.
June 1st 2017
GIRAFFE
Bryony Littlefair’s prose poem brings a tangibility to the complex emotions associated with recovering from mental illness. Illustration by Patrik Svensson.
May 31st 2017
THE GREEN
Nature claims back the land with rapid and devastating effect in Patrick Griffiths’ speculative short story. Illustration by Guy Shield.
May 29th 2017
KNITTED
Nancy Charley draws parallels between knitting and the creation of a human life in her delicate poem. Illustration by Rupert Smissen.
May 24th 2017
ULTRASOUND
Harry Man’s exquisite poem captures the magic and anticipation that surrounds the birth of a child. Illustration by Raid71 — aka Chris Thornley.
May 18th 2017
WATERING
A short story by Jack Wells, providing a pertinent metaphor for parents who have had to give their children up for adoption. Illustration by Fabio Delvo.
May 15th 2017
SONG
Jon Lemay’s restorative poem addresses the exact moment when one emerges from melancholy into a new frame of mind. Illustration by Jason Mowry.
May 9th 2017
SEVENTH
Abigail Hodge’s post-apocalyptic short story follows a girl trying to find the one person left who means something to her. Illustration by Adams Carvalho.
May 4th 2017
CULTIVATING AT DUSK
Megan Rowlands’ poem challenges the supposed ideals of a domesticated life and champions something much wilder. Illustration by Anne Bastian.
April 29th 2017
THE BASEMENT
Danielle Carey’s short story tells the tale of two mysterious aunts who raise their nieces whilst maintaining a fascinating secret. Illustrated by Matt Murphy.
April 25th 2017
41 WINKS
A poem by Sammy Hutton addressing sleep and the soft spaces of time between wakefulness and slumber. Illustration by Anna Horvath.
April 20th 2017
THE MARGINS OF SILENCE
A mother who can predict the future finds her gift to be more of a curse than a blessing in John Vicary’s short story. Illustration by Romina Birzer.