Confluence; Issue 18 Preview

A first look at what’s flowing into the forthcoming issue; new voices, familiar names, and writing that meets in the middle like rivers do.

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We’re pleased to share a first look at the next issue of Confluence. It brings together a wide mix of voices and styles, with poems and stories that meander and wind. We’re delighted to feature writers new to us, alongside some old friends.

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This issue features a stunning cover and black-and-white images by the late Rosemary McLeish. This is the third cover which has featured Rosemary’s art. Wordsmithery is also working on a book about Rosemary’s life in poems and art, so this is a teaser for that book!  

Plus, we’re also opening the Rosemary McLeish Poetry Prize 2026, which recognises poems inspired by Nature. This year’s theme is ‘River’ and the competition runs from 20/06/26 to 12/09/26. Find out more on the Wordsmithery website when the competition opens.

 

Featuring poems and stories by:

• Amirah Al Wassif

• Paul Bavister

• Lawrence Blake

• Lydia Blundell

• Ahimsa Timoteo Bodhràn

• B.C. Brock

• JW Burns

• Alex Carrigan

• Ellie Cottrell

• Seth Crook

• Clive Donovan

• Simon Ewing

• Derek M. Ferguson

• Martin Ferguson

• Giles Goodland

• Philip Kane

• Joseph Long

• Joe Marshall

• Rosemary McLeish

• Rebecca O’Hagan

• Eugene O’Hare

• Carolyn Oulton

• Nadia Perrotta

• Sue Proffitt

• Peter Richardson

• I Rose

• JJ Steinfeld

• Richard Storey

• Azalia Suhaimi

• Sarah-Morgan Thorne

• Julia Vaughan

• Rod Whitworth

 

Coming soon:

Pre-order your copy here.

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