The next issue of Popshot will be on the theme of…“Joy.”

We have just finished putting together the Water issue (thank you to all who submitted, the magazine will thump through letterboxes and appear on newsstands soon), allowing us to open the doors for new submissions.

Our next theme is ‘Joy’ and we are interested in writing that looks broadly at what it means to experience feelings of great happiness and pleasure.

Writers might want to consider the importance of the search for joy on the human condition, and what that means when you consider that moments of joy are often just that – moments. What happens between the joy? How does the exhilaration of intense happiness frame our other experiences? And can the transient nature of bursts of joyfulness make it impossible to enjoy the lulls between them? We want to know what brings you proper joy, what your definition of joy is, and what you would sacrifice in order to obtain unbridled joy. Feel free to take us to the bright, light, heights of happiness; or go dark, exploring what happens when joy is sought but unsatisfactory.

Successful submissions must display excellent writing, creative flair and originality. We are looking for a mixture of humour, social commentary, honesty and thrilling storytelling. We welcome all genres and writing styles so long as they follow our guidelines for submission (for more on which, click here).

Submissions for the Summer 2022 issue are open until 9am (UK time) on Tuesday, 1 March 2022.

The Joy Issue will be published in May 2022.

Guidelines for submission are here.

Three entries maximum. Entries over the word count will not be considered. We’re very sorry but due to volume we cannot reply to submissions unless they are successful, so if you haven’t heard from us by the end of April 2022 please take it as a pass.

To discover more about Popshot, pick up a copy from WHSmiths or another reputable newsagent (here are a few other ways you can safely find it). You can subscribe to either hard copy or digital editions. Four issues are published per year showcasing the best emerging fiction writers.

To see your writing published and illustrated, head to our submit page for the full guidelines. Include the issue and form of your work in the subject line (i.e. Joy – Poetry). We are open to original contributions from anyone, anywhere in the world.

At Popshot towers we have just wrapped up the Water Issue, which will be on sale from 3rd February 2022.

Got a question? Drop us a line at hello@popshotpopshot.com

To ensure that you never miss a future issue of the print magazine, subscribe from just £24 for 4 issues.