Wasafiri International Contemporary Writing See other projects related to this listing. About Wasafiri encourages readers and writers to travel the world via the word. For four decades, we have created a dynamic platform for mapping new landscapes in contemporary international writing featuring a diverse range of voices from across the UK and beyond. Committed to profiling the ‘best of tomorrow’s writers today’ we simultaneously celebrate those who have become established literary voices, offering a creative space for dialogue and debate.Wasafiri is the UK’s leading magazine for international contemporary writing. Launched in 1984, it is now renowned for publishing some of the world’s most distinguished writers including Chinua Achebe, Kamau Brathwaite, Anita and Kiran Desai, Sam Selvon, Nadine Gordimer, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Michael Ondaatje, Vikram Seth, Nayantara Sahgal, Gillian Slovo, and Ben Okri amongst many others. Important: They accept critical articles year-round, even when closed to other forms of nonfiction. Peer Review: This publication uses peer review for some or all submissions. Check for details. Country of Publication & Year Established United Kingdom Established in 1984 Publication Medium & Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationPublished 4 x per year AI Policy AI use may be permitted in some circumstances (see their site for details) Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: All nationalities, Britons, All ethnic groups/populations.Genres: GeneralLengths: Short Story: 4,000 - 6,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Unknown payment to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pay ranges from Unknown payment to Professional payment. Details: Typical payment: GBP £150 for fiction.Submissions:Method: Submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: All nationalities, Britons, All ethnic groups/populations.Lengths: Interview: 4,000 - 6,000 words. Review: 800 - 1,200 words. Article: 5,000 - 7,000 words. Essay: 2,500 - 3,000 words. Essay: 4,000 - 6,000 words.Styles:Academic, Critical.Topics: Humanities. Literature/Books: Theory/Analysis/Criticism. Society/Culture.Payment:Unknown payment to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pay ranges from Unknown payment to Professional payment. Details: Typical payment: GBP £50 for book reviews; £125 for review essays; £150 for life writing; £200 for interviews.Submissions:Method: Submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: All nationalities, Britons, All ethnic groups/populations.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 5 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Unknown payment to Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Pay ranges from Unknown payment to Professional payment. Details: Typical payment: GBP £50 for poems.Submissions:Method: Submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook FacebookInstagram @wasafirimagX (Twitter) @WasafiriMag Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Wasafiri Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include related projects Accuracy We have received 2 reports from 2 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Pending 1 response is pending (162 days waiting). This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The editors will try to make a decision within 180 days. Most recent response reported was received on 10 Nov 2025. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 20 Aug 2025. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 08:40 UTC (1 hour, 7 minutes ago). Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsQueen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize Charges fees for all submissions Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 05 Aug 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only