Submissions open Oct 1st ~ 31st 2026

After... is a free-to-read online journal for ‘after’ and ekphrastic poetry.New poems are published every new and full moon, with notes on the art that inspired them.Poems can be about anything so long as they respond in some way to another artist or work of art.That art might be a painting, a photograph or a sculpture. It could just as possibly be a film, song, piece of music, book, performance, game or any other creative work.The connection between your poem and the art to which it responds can be direct or oblique. All that matters is that it’s there.Thinking of submitting work that’s racist, bigoted, hateful or otherwise discriminatory? Don’t: it won’t be considered.

When to submitSubmissions are open from midnight on Oct 1st to 23:59 (GMT) on October 31st each year. Poems submitted at any other time won’t be considered.What to sendEmail ONE unpublished poem of no more than 40 lines to afterpoetry@gmail.com using the subject line: ‘Submission to After...’Attach your poem as a Word document, or include a link to a Google Doc. You should include a short epigraph making clear what your poem is ‘after’.In the body of your email, please include:Your full name (or pen name, if preferred)Your poem’s titleThe title of the work it’s ‘after’The name of the artist/creatorA link to the work online (if possible)A short note (up to 100 words) about the work and its connection to your poemPlease don’t attach images,video, audio or a biography.Previously published workYour poem must not have been published previously in any journal, magazine, anthology, book or other publication – online or in print. Sharing your poem on social media or your own site doesn’t count as previous publication. However, if your poem is accepted by After... you should not share it anywhere else from November 28th 2026 until 14 days after it’s been published by this journal.Poems using other languagesYour poem can include words, phrases or passages in languages other than English, but should be written primarily for an English-language readership. Poems translated into English are welcome.Simultaneous submissionsSimultaneous submissions are welcome. If your poem is accepted elsewhere, please let After... know as soon as possible – ideally, at least two weeks before its scheduled publication date.Submissions that don’t follow theseguidelines won’t be considered.The reserves listA small number of poets may be offered a place on the following year’s reserves list. You’ll get an invitation by email to join the list by Dec 1st 2026. If you aren’t called upon during 2027, you’re guaranteed publication in 2028.

On Nov 28th 2026, the full list of poems to be published next year will appear on the 2027 index page. If you don’t see your poem listed, thank you for submitting and better luck next year.The 2027 index page will NOTappear online before Nov 28th.If you’re invited to the reserves list, you’ll get an email by Dec 1st 2026. If you accept a place but aren’t published in 2027, you’re GUARANTEED publication in 2028.

Using digital tools (including AI) for practical support is fine. This might include spelling and grammar checks, research, transcription or for reasons of accessibility.Please don’t use AI to generate ideas, imagery, lines or alternative wording for your poem. People want to read what you have to say – so make sure your poem’s language and final form are your own.Any poem suspected of having been generated wholly or substantially by AI won’t be considered.

Regrettably, no.After... is a free-to-read journal. It makes no money, so there’s nothing available with which to pay contributors.