The Second Shelf: A Quarterly of Rare Books & Words by Women is currently accepting submissions for our quarterly print magazine. 

The magazine is a literary quarterly and rare book catalogue hybrid, the aim of which is to increase the visibility of women’s writing throughout history. Each issue showcases beautifully photographed, carefully curated books, from first editions to fine bindings, and other rediscovered works by women. Contextualising these works are original commissions by writers, artists, photographers, and illustrators—including essays, poems, interviews, and profiles. As such, it combines the visual quality of a glossy art magazine with the calibre of writing found in exceptional literary journals. The Second Shelf is a response to a male-dominated rare book trade--which is a key supply line to readers' bookshelves, universities, archives, & libraries. Women have been left under-recognised and given less space on shelves. The Second Shelf invites readers to feminize their bookshelves and provides writers a space for contributors to champion, celebrate, and ruminate on work that has made a difference to them. 

We accept general pitches and submissions for consideration and will post themed submissions as they arise. 

All work accepted for publication by The Second Shelf is paid.