Louise Green’s poem paints hope as a magical coat that protects both the wearer and […]

An update on The Truth Issue. Plus, reading and writing news from Popshot Towers

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Making the first move is always the hardest, finds the protagonist of Hugh Todd’s flash fiction piece. Illustration by Giuseppe Di Lernia

Lynsey Morandin’s short story was inspired by her relationship with her mother – the good […]

Joshua Preston’s flash fiction piece reflects on the experience of moving and making a life […]

A woman becomes part of a mysterious worldwide disappearance during a great war in this […]

The submissions window has closed for The Truth Issue. We’re wading through your wonderful tales […]

Kirsty Dunn suggests how to reignite the passion in a relationship in this satirical manual. […]

What if the Romans had Tinder? Jake Attree’s poem imagines dating apps in another time. Illustration by Partners in Crime

A wave of heartache has inspired this poem by Cristina Haraba. Illustration by Daria Skrybchenko

Our spring edition comprises short stories, flash fiction and poetry encapsulating the yearning, promise and excitement of romance

John Reinhart’s poem offers a vignette about an unusual character who will stop at nothing […]

Robin Vicary’s mesmerising short story takes us to nineteenth-century Paris. Illustration by Emily Wren

Barry Charman’s flash fiction piece explores the allure and danger of romance. Illustration by Joseph Crisp

Send in your short stories, flash fiction on the theme of truth for our 20th […]

A long-awaited update from the editorial team two weeks until the spring issue goes on sale

What happens when we sleep? Ethan Chapman’s chilling short story explores one of his childhood fears. Illustration by Jude Labuca.

Oeil Jumratsilpa’s poem celebrates those few people who inspire you live better and with more spirit. Illustration by Jai Kamat

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.

L P Lee’s short story was inspired by East Asian folklore surrounding the mysterious fox spirit. Illustration by Vector That Fox.

Hannah Thompson’s short story plays with the light and dark of fairytales. Illustration by Ashley Floréal.

Steve Harrison’s poem comes from the idea that changing light affects both nature and humankind’s behaviour. Illustration by Thomas Pullin.

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.

Andrew Hanson’s short story explores the significance of the tales we tell ourselves about our past. Illustration by Burcin Pervin.

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.

Rob Stuart’s short story envisages what could happen if a machine became more intelligent than humankind. Illustration by Nevena Katalina.

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.

Set in post-war America, Ty Landers’ short story tells the tale of an outcast who became a local hero. Illustrated by Masoud Keshmiri.

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.

Inspired by internet scams and porn culture, Alexander Weinstein’s story explores the dark corners of the digital world. Illustration by Nicole Rifkin.

A poem by Elles Rebelles, written about the journey people take when travelling in and out of heroin addiction. Illustration by Max Temescu.

Set in a dystopian future, Tracy Fells’ short story follows three girls as they break away from an oppressive regime. Illustration by Mike Lees.

A potent poem by Gavin Bryce, written after the difficult and potentially dangerous birth of his son. Illustration by Ashley Mackenzie.

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.

A poem by Matthew Fieldhouse, written to address the vast differences between oneself as a child, and as an adult. Illustration by Tobias Hall.

Joshua Preston’s flash fiction piece addresses the sudden nature of loss and the various aspects of weight associated with it. Illustration by DAQ.

Inspired by conversations with his 92-year-old father-in-law, John Rowland’s poem considers the ultimate adventure. Illustration by Bren Luke.

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.

Set in the foggy calm of the Faroe Islands, Matthew Landrum’s poem revels in the present moment. Illustration by Daria Skrybchenko.

A deceitful creator of strange creatures finds his scepticism challenged in Alys Hobbs’ curious short story. Illustration by Phil Couzens.

A poem by Jim Stewart-Evans, taking a comical and violently literal approach to the notion of killing time. Illustration by Tavis Coburn.

Every illustration from our most recent issue has now been added to our growing library of Popshot-published artwork over on Pinterest.

There are now less than four weeks left to submit your poems and short stories to our next issue on the theme of ‘Light’.

Drew Tapley’s short story follows a castaway as he desperately searches for new forms of hope and distraction. Illustration by Mitt Roshin.

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.

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.

Carmina Masoliver’s poem addresses society’s view of pole dancing by drawing parallels with playing on monkey bars. Illustration by Paul Garland

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.

Bryony Littlefair’s prose poem brings a tangibility to the complex emotions associated with recovering from mental illness. Illustration by Patrik Svensson.

Nature claims back the land with rapid and devastating effect in Patrick Griffiths’ speculative short story. Illustration by Guy Shield.

Nancy Charley draws parallels between knitting and the creation of a human life in her delicate poem. Illustration by Rupert Smissen.

Harry Man’s exquisite poem captures the magic and anticipation that surrounds the birth of a child. Illustration by Raid71 — aka Chris Thornley.

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.

Jon Lemay’s restorative poem addresses the exact moment when one emerges from melancholy into a new frame of mind. Illustration by Jason Mowry.

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.

Megan Rowlands’ poem challenges the supposed ideals of a domesticated life and champions something much wilder. Illustration by Anne Bastian.

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.

A poem by Sammy Hutton addressing sleep and the soft spaces of time between wakefulness and slumber. Illustration by Anna Horvath.

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.