Dear friends and colleagues,

A gentle reminder of the invitation to submit works – Deadline 30th June 2026 – extended to 15th July 2026.

blackmail press is proud to be celebrating 25 years this coming June 2026. To mark this milestone, we are curating a special anniversary issue featuring work from past contributors, editors, and members of our wider whānau. We would be honoured to include a piece from you.

This commemorative issue will also be produced as a printed publication — self‑funded and printed by INCproductions, with additional support from Creative New Zealand (pending the outcome of our application). By submitting work, you are granting us permission to include it in both the online and printed editions of this special issue.

We warmly invite you to submit:

• Poetry, prose, or short fiction — up to 5 pieces, in Word (.doc) format

• Recorded spoken word — up to 2 MP3 files

• Links to video performances — recorded or live readings welcome

Please send submissions to dougpoole3@gmail.com with the subject line: Blackmail Press Submission.

We will begin assembling the issue in late May, with publication planned for mid July 2026. All submissions will receive a response, and acceptance notifications will be sent by 15 June 2026.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your networks — especially with emerging, unpublished, or nui voices who may wish to be part of this celebration.

We look forward to reading your work and celebrating 25 years of Blackmail Press together.

Ngā mihi nui,

Doug Poole

Founding Editor and e-publisher

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blackmail press

poetry e-journal