Litro accepts submissions of short stories, flash fiction and creative non-fiction up to a maximum of 3,000 words. We also publish poems, but on a commissioned basis only. Please do not submit poetry as it will not be read.

We welcome new, emerging and established writers in any style or genre and on any subject or none. Please, however, note that we are usually unable to publish work that includes gratuitous language, racial abuse, explicit descriptions of sexual activity, violence or the misuse of drugs. There are plenty of internet forums for that stuff.

Litro is an independent magazine which is distributed for free. As a result we do not pay contributors at present. If you would like to see your work appear in a high-quality literary publication with a monthly circulation of approximately 100,000 copies in various locations across the UK and France and gain the exposure that would come with this, we would welcome and carefully consider your submission. Please see below for more details on future issues and submitting your work to us.

NB –All submissions for any particular theme should be received by the 1st of the month preceding that in which the issue will appear: e.g. if submitting for November’s issue, please make sure your story gets to us by 1st October.

Litro is now closed to unthemed submissions until early 2012. We look forward to reading the stories in our current pile – in the mean time, please feel free to submit fiction of up to 3,000 words to any of our forthcoming themes:

Forthcoming themes for 2011/2012 include:

2011

December: Food

Christmas is a time of gluttonous excess, where food takes on an even more central role in our lives, from the first mince pie of the season to the slap-up Christmas dinner – so we’re waiting to read your stories about food. Too much or not enough? Fear of food and desire of food. Sexy food, weird food, scary food, cooks and waiters, bingers and gourmets, we want them all (and they don’t have to be Christmas-related …)
Submission deadline – November 1st

2012

January - Litro takes a break

February: Holland

The best stories from the leading lights of Dutch literature – plus some of yours, perhaps?
Submission deadline – January 1st

March: Work

Work. Most of us have it – some of us have too much. Some of us feel the lack of it, and others hate the thought of it. Astronauts or accountants, bond traders or arms dealers, it’s all in a day’s work, so whether your characters do something they adore, hate their boss, love a customer or colleague, or have bizarre, wonderful or revolting jobs, we’re looking for tales of work and the workplace in March.
Submission deadline – February 1st

April: Brazil

Watch this space for more details on our fantastic springtime South American-set issue!
Submission deadline – March 1st

All submissions should be emailed as Word documents (ideally .doc rather than .docx) to editor@litro.co.uk with the word ‘Submission’ and the theme clearly marked in the subject line. No Zip files please. And no viruses! Due to the high volume of submissions, we’re not always able to respond as quickly as we would like. Please be patient; if you haven’t received a response within six weeks you’re welcome to contact us.

Litro Spoken Words

In early 2011 we will be launching Litro Spoken Words. All budding writers are now able to submit an MP3 recorded file of their story alongside their written submission for possible entry into our new Spoken Words section. We will pick one audible story per theme each month to be showcased online at litro.co.uk.

Litro holds all first publishing rights world wide, and electronic rights to all stories published.

If you have any queries which this page doesn’t answer, please write to editor@litro.co.uk with ‘Query’ in the subject line.