People’s Friend Magazine accept short stories, fiction serials and poems from new and experienced writers and pay for those they use (£80 per story for writers new to them). They ask that writers read their magazine to get a feel for their target readership’s tastes and material be posted to them rather than emailed. You’ll find their guidelines here.

Mslexia Magazine for women writers stage annual competitions for poetry, fiction and memoir, with many of those short-listed going on to win themselves an agent. Further information here.

For those interested in poetry, Jim Bennett’s Poetry Kit Newsletter includes a monthly list of poetry competitions with forthcoming deadlines. You can sign up to receive it here.

Writers’ Forum Magazine run monthly competitions for flash fiction (500 words), short stories and poetry, with a range of entry fees which are reduced for subscribers to the magazine. Further information can be found here.