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Thank you for submitting
during October 2026
To every poet who took the time to send in an ‘after’ or ekphrastic poem this year, Mark Antony Owen and Victoria Spires would like to say a heartfelt thank you. It’s been the busiest year for submissions since this journal began, with 186 poems received from poets around the world – the most ever.
What happens next?
On November 28th, a link to the
2027 index page will appear
in this site’s menu.
It’ll reveal every poem to be published next year. If you don’t see your poem listed from that date, better luck when the submissions window reopens in October 2027.
Please note we don’t send out emails for poems we decline. You should take some comfort in knowing it’s only the finite number of new and full moons each year that prevents us from publishing a great many more of the exceptional poems we’re sent.
What about the reserves list?
As in previous years, After... is once again operating a reserves list of six poems for 2027. If your poem is picked for this list but doesn’t get published next year, you’re GUARANTEED publication in 2028.
Look out for an email invitation to
our reserves list by December 1st 2026.
Please note 2027 may be the last year for which we have a reserves list. We’ll share more on this once a decision has been made.