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Go shoppingSubmissions · Open from 1 September 2026
Submissions are open
Open now — Litro World Series 2027
Breaking Borders II
Ten years after Litro published the first Breaking Borders edition, we are returning to the theme for a new print and digital edition, with events and public programmes across Los Angeles, London and New York in 2027. Breaking Borders II asks what divides us now — borders between countries and languages, but also between races, genders, classes and generations; between citizen and migrant, public and private, human and machine.
Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and audio. Strong work, not slogans.
Submit to Breaking Borders II Follow the programme →
General Litro submissions
General submissions reopen on 1 September 2026: fiction, flash, essays and nonfiction, poetry, art & photography, and Litro Lab audio. Categories appear on Litro’s Submittable as they go live.
Current reading
Read before you submit
The clearest way to understand what Litro publishes is to read it. Two editorial worlds are live now.
Future Archives · London
Future Archives — London
Yimin Xiang, Paul Majek and Makiko Harris, with new fiction and conversation, in a larger-format Litro edition on city life, memory and what a city leaves behind.
The conversations: Yimin Xiang · Paul Majek · Makiko Harris
Litro World Series
Breaking Borders 2027
Writers, translators and artists across London, New York and Los Angeles — continuing a publishing history that runs through Litro’s international editions: Mexico, Brazil, and the original Breaking Borders of 2017.
Guidelines
Submission guidelines
Before submitting, spend some time with recent Litro work. We look for distinct voice, pressure, movement and writing that stays with the reader.
Categories & word counts
- Fiction: around 3,000 words. Exceptional work may be considered up to 5,000.
- Essays / non-fiction: up to 2,000 words.
- Flash: up to 1,000 words.
- Poetry: up to 3 poems, around 40 lines each.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If your work is accepted elsewhere, withdraw it from Litro promptly.
Art & photography
Submit photography, illustration or visual art as a focused mini-series or one strong standalone image.
- Up to 4 JPEGs.
- Maximum 5MB each.
- Include title, name, captions or credits, and a short artist statement where relevant.
Litro Lab / audio
Litro Lab considers short audio-led storytelling.
- Ideally 3–8 minutes, maximum 10.
- MP3 preferred.
- Include a written version of the piece.
Requirements
Work must be your own and not previously published in print or online. We consider original translations where the necessary rights are held.
- Submit one piece per theme.
- You may submit to different themes at the same time.
- Withdraw your piece if it is accepted elsewhere.
Formatting
Upload .doc, .docx or .pdf. Put the title and word count on page one. Use a clean filename such as
Surname_Title_Category.
Rights & contributor terms
If accepted, publication is subject to Litro’s contributor terms.
Response times
General submissions reopen on 1 September 2026. Response times vary by category and volume; updated estimates will be published as the reading period progresses.
Frequently asked questions
When do general submissions open?
General submissions reopen on 1 September 2026. Open categories appear on Litro’s Submittable as they go live.
Is Breaking Borders II open now?
Yes. Breaking Borders II — Litro World Series 2027 is open on Submittable.
Writer development
Looking for structured writing support?
Litro also runs writing courses and masterclasses for writers developing work over a longer period. View Litro Masterclasses.
