Submissions: 2027–28 publication program

We are delighted to announce that our call for submissions from poets interested in being part of the 5Islands Press 2027-28 publication program is now open.  We will be open for submissions from now until 11 October 2026 (AEST). 

As always, we’re looking for well-crafted poems that have something insightful to say, and that say it in a way that will move the hearts and minds of intelligent and attentive readers.  Please send us a sample of the ten pages from your manuscript that you are happiest with, along with a short note (not more than 500 words) telling us about yourself. The word count limit does not include a list of any awards that you have received and your publication history, which you should add at the end of the biographical note, in the same document.  We will use this submission to select the poets whom we will invite to provide a full manuscript for consideration.  We expect to issue these invitations sometime in December.

If you wish, previously unpublished poems from your sample will be considered for inclusion in our Oystercatcher Three anthology. This is entirely your choice, and there is an "opt out" option on the submission form. The choice you make will have no bearing on our assessment of your submission.

Submissions should be made using the form available on our website. If you wish to make a submission now, there is a link to this form below. There is also a link at the top of our Home page, which will remain active throughout the submissions period.

Submit your sample now

We will acknowledge receipt of your submission by email as soon as possible after we have downloaded and registered your sample of poems and bio.  We will do our best to send the acknowledgement within 72 hours of receiving your submission, but we may not always be able to achieve this.

We will inform submitters whether they have made the shortlist as soon as possible, but cannot give you a date for this until after submissions are closed and we know how many submissions we have to review.