Mslexia: the UK's bestselling magazine for women who write

Diary & Planner 2027

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Women's Writing Days: Poetry

A poem in a day

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The independent writer's route to publication

Indie Press Guide (5th Edition)

The independent writer's route to publication

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Mslexia Fiction Competition 2026

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Mslexia Newsletter

Mslexia: for women who write

Welcome to Mslexia! Our mission is to help women express themselves and get their writing noticed: in print, online and in performance.

We produce the bestselling quarterly magazine for women who write – where every reader is a potential contributor too. We publish over 70 names in every issue, so you might find your work alongside award-winning authors such as R F Kuang, Eliza Clark, Liz Berry, Diana Evans, Val McDermid or Alice Oseman. Every issue includes fiction, nonfiction, short story, flash fiction and poetry.

But Mslexia is not just a magazine. We run life-changing competitions, which have propelled the careers of many women writers to the next level. We also host the Salon, where members can attend writing surgeries, Q&As, and our famous Agent Extravaganza. Then there’s the Indie Press Guide, the Mslexia Minis writing guides, and our writer's Diary & Planner – all designed to kickstart your creativity.

Magazine

Our autumn issue has landed. Issue 111 is out now, and it contains our usual sprinkling of writerly advice, new fiction and poetry, and all the tips and tricks you need to take your writing career to the next level.

Join our vibrant community of likeminded women writers who turn to Mslexia every quarter for creative fuel, industry insight and practical support.

Submissions

We're now accepting submissions for Issue 112! Check out all the opportunities on our 'Submissions' pages. Submit before 5 October 2026 for the chance to be published in the September issue.

Competitions

Our 2026 Mslexia Fiction Competition is open! Send us short stories up to 3,000 words; flash fiction up to 300 words; and the first 5,000 words of your novel for adults or young adults. Closing date: 21 September

Our 2026 Mslexia Poetry Competition is open! Send us up to three poems or pamphlets of up to 18-20 poems. Closing date: 7 December

Shop

Subscribe to the magazine, join our online Salon, or nab a single copy of the mag to check out how our 20 submission categories look on the page – to make sure you’re aiming in the right direction!

Every year Mslexia helps Arvon reach an engaged, diverse and vibrant community of writers. It is without a doubt a core part of our advertising campaign.

Arvon Foundation

We have been advertising in Mslexia since 2014 and the service we receive is second-to-none. We have been able to introduce our postgraduate courses, short courses and annual writing competition to a highly targeted market and have benefitted hugely from the results.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Advertising with Mslexia is a rare delight. Easy, flexible – can I say “forgiving”? – and, with exactly the right audience for us, effective, too.

Faber Academy

A huge basket full of ‘thank you’s for all the Mslexia Max events − the best thing that ever happened to me as a writer. Not only did my novel pitch profit a lot from the thoughtful feedback you gave me during the ‘pitch surgeries,’ but one of the Max events changed my writers’ life.

Sophie van Llewyn, author of Bottled Goods

Mslexia was a tangible support to me in the anguished years of writing my first novel and continues to be a source of bristling writerly energy.

Diana Evans

The sort of friend you never outgrow - a source of tips, tricks and deeper inspiration.

Hilary Mantel

The place for poets to see and be seen.

Carol Ann Duffy

I remember when I was writing my first novel - what a lifeline Mslexia was.

Naomi Alderman

There is no other writing magazine on the market that comes anywhere close to the quality of Mslexia. I began my subscription when I was a new writer; I'm a professional now and the magazine continues to cater for my needs as much as ever - as my writing buddy, mentor and literary news feed.

Zosia Wand

Inspired, inspiring, invaluable.

Sarah Waters