Apricot Press is an online literary magazine dedicated to publishing emerging writers. It publishes poetry, short stories, flash fiction, and essays written by fresh and upcoming talent.

In a world that is becoming ever more changeable and turbulent, we are seeking pieces that will uplift and inspire readers on the theme of HOPE.

What makes you feel hopeful? How do you try to cultivate hope? Are there places, people, events, initiatives, everyday rituals, or aspects of the natural world that make you feel optimistic? How does it feel to experience hope?

However you interpret this theme, we want to hear from you!

Send us your poetry, flash fiction, short stories and essays by midnight Friday 8 May 2026.

We can’t wait to read your work!

Submission guidelines:

Please do not submit to more than one category.

Work should not have been previously published in print, online, or on social media.

We do not accept simultaneous submissions.

Send no more than 2 poems. Poems should be no more than 30 lines long.

Send 1 story. Story should be under 1,500 words.

Send 1 piece of Flash Fiction. Flash Fiction should be under 500 words.

Send 1 essay. Essays should be under 1,500 words.

In the subject line of your email, please include the title of the theme you are submitting to, the title of your piece, your author name, and (poetry), (story) (flash fiction) or (essay) as is relevant.

Attach your work as a Word.doc or as a PDF.

Please include a 100-word bio in the third person in the document file.

If we believe your work to be AI-generated or plagiarised, it will not be accepted.

Apricot Press is a labour of love, and we are not in a position to pay contributors at the moment. This is a free, online platform looking to boost the voices of emerging writers and provide valuable opportunities for publication. However, we have added a ‘tip the author’ feature so readers can send money directly to our writers, and you may include a link to a PayPal.Me page or alternative alongside your bio for us to embed.

Submit only during submission periods.

Please allow up to 6 weeks after the closing date for acceptance.

Please send all submissions to apricotpresslit@gmail.com.

Submissions which do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered.