Letters of London

Anyone living in London, for any length of time. We especially welcome letters from those who feel their voices aren’t always heard in mainstream media.

Tell us a little about yourself

We ask for a few simple details so we can pair you with someone whose experiences differ from your own. This helps create meaningful, cross-demographic exchanges.

We match you with someone else in the city

Your partner may live in a different borough, be a different age, have a different background or daily life. That’s the point: unexpected conversations.

You write your letter

Handwrite it, type it, sketch something in the margins — all styles are welcome. Length can vary. What matters is your voice.

You receive a letter back

If your letter becomes part of a correspondence, you’ll get a reply. These paired exchanges form the heart of each issue.

We may publish it

If your letter is chosen for print or digital publication, we’ll contact you first. You can choose to use your name, initials, or remain anonymous.

Payment

Letters of London is fully independent and volunteer-run. Payment varies by section and issue funding. Fees will always be confirmed upon commissioning.

Dear London is the magazine’s open letter to the city. Every issue begins with a question — a prompt, a provocation — sent out to writers across London. Their answers return like postcards from different lives, revealing the city’s rhythms, tensions and quiet intimacies.

Word Counts

• Essays & criticism: 1,000–2,500 words
• Shorter pieces / letters: 300–1,000 words
• Interviews / long-form: 1,500–3,000 words
• Dear London responses: 200–1,200 words (varies by prompt)

Formatting

• Submit written work as a Word document or PDF
• Include a short bio (50–80 words)
• Visual submissions should be high-resolution JPEGs or PNGs, with a brief contextual note

Originality & Rights

We consider previously unpublished work. Simultaneous submissions are welcome — please notify us if your piece is accepted elsewhere.

We request first publication rights for print and digital. All rights revert to the author after publication, with credit requested for future reproductions.

Email submissions to lettersoflondonmag@gmail.com with the subject line:

SUBMISSION — Your Name — Title

Anything that reflects your life in London:

• A moment that shifted how you see the city
• Something you wish others understood about your experience
• A memory tied to a neighbourhood or place
• Hopes, frustrations, or questions you’re carrying
• Observations from your everyday life
• What “home” means to you here

Ordinary experiences are often the most meaningful.

Do letters have to be about London?
Mostly yes, but we also welcome letters written from London to somewhere or someone else.

Does everyone get published?
Not yet — but we read everything, and some letters appear online even if they don’t make the print edition.

Can I write anonymously?
Absolutely. Some of the best letters arrive without names.

Can I submit art instead?
Yes. We commission illustrators and photographers for each issue, so feel free to send a portfolio.

When is the first issue coming out?
We’re currently gathering letters. Sign up to be the first to know.

Is this only for writers?
No. This is for humans who have felt something in London.

We are hoping to host letter-writing circles in various boroughs — small, informal gatherings where people write together. Free and open to all.