The publishing world is built for people who are financially secure, who have family or friends in the business, and who can afford time off without worrying about income. Because of that, many books and journals reflect middle- and owning-class values and experiences.
Lumpen is a journal of poor and working-class writers. That means:
- Many of our writers work full-time jobs.
- Many are earning minimum wage, relying on benefits, or using food banks.
- Many have been told they’re “not smart,” that their speech or language is wrong, or that their ideas don’t matter.
We welcome unsolicited submissions from people who self-identify as poor or working-class. We aim to pay our writers fairly for their craft.
We publish Lumpen every quarter, and you’ll find it online and in bookshops across the UK.
In Lumpen you’ll read:
- First-hand accounts of living through austerity.
- Critical takes on the left and activist culture.
- Stories about football, sex, loss, education, mis-education, dreams, and adventures.
Current issue: Class and Care
Call for submissions Spring 2026: Lumpen 17 Callout – WORK. Deadline 21st February 2026.