The Munster Literature Centre

There are presently no open calls for submissions.

Welcome to the Munster Literature Centre submissions manager



Southword Literary Journal

Southword: New International Writing is a print literary journal published twice a year by the Munster Literature Centre. Southword has published the likes of Medbh McGuckian, Helen Ivory, Haruki Murakami, James Lasdun, Kim Addonizio, Tess Gallagher, Colm Tóibín and Vona Groarke. Our spring issue is composed of prizewinning and shortlisted entries from our Gregory O'Donoghue and Seán O'Faoláin competitions, as well as specially commissioned work. Unsolicited submissions of poetry and short fiction (for our autumn issue) are open as follows:

POETRY: December 1st, 2022 ‒ February 28th, 2023

FICTION: January 1st ‒ March 31st, 2023

Southword pays contributors €40 per poem and €250 per short story. Payment to writers within the Republic of Ireland is made by bank transfer. Writers abroad must accept payment through PayPal.

Subscribe or buy individual issues here.


Other opportunities for publications, mentorships, readings and more will appear here periodically throughout the year.


Annual Competitions

Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition (open for entries 1st May to 31st July).

Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition (open for entries 1st June to 31st August).

Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Competition (open for entries 1st September to 30th November).


Questions/troubleshooting on using Submittable system

E-mail support@submittable.com or visit their help centre.

The Munster Literature Centre