Fiction Ed’s Blog: What We’re Looking For

If you’re thinking about submitting a short story, poem or pocket novel to “The People’s Friend” for consideration, here’s what we’re looking for, at the moment.

Christmas Stories

Thanks to everyone who submitted festive fiction.

At the time of writing, we’re finalising the mixes for both our Christmas Bumper Issues, which go on sale in December.

We’ll be in a position to let you know about all Christmas stories over the next few weeks.

No more new festive stories will be considered this year, but you’re welcome to submit Christmas fiction again after April.

Fiction

In terms of what we need for the weekly, we’re now moving into stories for mid-January, 2023, onwards – so late winter, into spring.

We’re also always looking for 2000 and 3000 word stories which are suitable for any issue.

For the Special, we’re into early spring.

We always need seasonal stories, for example, for Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day – which this year, in the UK, is on Sunday, 19^th March.

4000 words and Long Reads are the lengths we’re least in need of, at the moment.

Serials

If you’re an established “Friend” serials author, we’re looking especially for contemporary serial ideas.

We like to vary the number of instalments to give our readers variety – between three and eight instalments works best for us.

Poetry

Abbie is looking for poetry for our February issues onwards.

The length she’s looking for is 12-16 lines – so, suitable for the weekly or Special.

Poetry which would suit Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day, would be welcome.

Pocket Novels

Tracey is looking for pocket novels of between 37, 000 and 39, 000 words.

We try to alternate between contemporary and historical, so both are welcome.

Themes should mirror those in our weekly issues – with the same tone, and genres.

Series

We feature two 30-part series annually, in the “Friend” weekly issue.

Ideas for new series are always welcome!