Poetry Submission
Unbarred Press publishes new literature by authors with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
We are currently open for poetry submissions for a forthcoming anthology.
This call is open to writers and poets whose lives have been impacted by the criminal justice system, whether through custody, probation or supervision, professional involvement, or its impact on family and community life.
We welcome submissions from writers at any stage of their practice.
We are interested in work that approaches language with seriousness, care, and intent.
Poems may draw from lived experience, but we are not seeking testimony alone. Craft, voice, and authenticity are central.
There is no set theme.
Please submit:
● Up to three original poems
● In a single Word or PDF document
● A short third-person biography (100 words maximum)
Submissions close on 30th April 2026. The deadline may be extended at the editor’s discretion.
Please send submissions to:
submissions@unbarredpress.co.uk
Subject line: Poetry submission and writer’s name.
FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions asked.
Who can submit?
This call is open to writers whose lives have been affected by the criminal justice system. This may include personal experience, family experience, professional involvement, or wider community impact.
What can I submit?
Please submit up to three original poems in a single document. There is no set theme.
What happens if my work is selected?
Selected poems will be included in a forthcoming Unbarred Press anthology. Contributors will receive a copy of the book and will be able to purchase additional copies at a reduced rate.
Do the poems need to be unpublished?
Yes. We ask that all submissions are previously unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere.
Do I need to share details about my personal circumstances?
No. Writers may choose how much personal information they wish to share.