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We're looking to publish new writing that creatively reflects on issues of memory, language and migration
This open call is for emerging writers with an idea for a new piece of creative writing or poetry
Successful applicants will receive a £400 fee, publication on Autograph's website and will be invited to read at our upcoming poetry event
This open call is free to enter but as part of our charitable work, we suggest a donation of £2+
Submit your pitch by 10am (BST) Monday 13 July 2026
Are you an unagented or emerging writer looking to publish new work? We're inviting pitches for short writing or poetry that considers how stories are communicated - or withheld - across generations, and creatively reflect on issues of memory, language and migration in response to Autograph's new exhibition Of Walking on Fire by Nhu Xuan Hua. Rooted in language’s inability to fully convey complex family histories, Hua reimagines archival photographs from her family’s time in Vietnam and their early years in Europe. The uncanny, dreamlike compositions of her work echo how memory can splinter, blur and slip from view through migration.
We will consider submissions for writing in a range of formats so long as it creatively speaks to the themes of the exhibition. This might include – but certainly isn’t limited to – a remembrance, a piece of poetry or a short work of fiction.
The successful applicants will receive a £400 fee to produce the full text, editorial support from Autograph, publication on our website and the option to perform their piece at Autograph's upcoming event: Memory and The Musicality of Language. The selected proposals will need to be ready to publish by mid-August 2026.
Nhu Xuan Hua, Swan – Archive from the year 2000, 2017-2022
Nhu Xuan Hua,
The one who couldn’t talk [detail], 2021
Nhu Xuan Hua, New Chapter – Archive from
the year ’85 [detail], 2026
Nhu Xuan Hua, The Dancers – Archive from the year ’85 [detail], 2017-2022
Autograph is committed to sharing the work of creatives whose work addresses issues of race, representation, identity, human rights and social justice. We select and commission content based on relevance and quality and we’re keen to share the work of individuals with lived experience of marginalisation, misrepresentation and/or inequality.
Our online content aims to be accessible, compassionate and progressive. We want our content to bring joy, understanding, awareness and action. To do this, we need a multiplicity of voices and perspectives involved, which is why we want to hear from you.
If your pitch is successful, Autograph's experienced staff will work with you to:
• Discuss your ideas and support you in developing and editing the text
• Publish and share your writing with others
• Promote the work in our newsletter, on our social media channels and via our networks
Submit an application through the button below by 10am (BST) Monday 13 July 2026
Apply for this opportunity with a pitch: a short summary of the text you would like to write.
🖋️ Please don’t start writing your piece before it has been commissioned.
🖋️ Get to know more about Autograph and our current exhibition: take a look at the exhibition page for Of Walking on Fire (or visit us!) and browse our blog before you pitch to us, to get a better sense of what we publish and what we’re interested in. This is also important to ensure you’re not pitching us something we’ve already covered.
🖋️ Pitch one idea – chose your best or most relevant idea and share it with us.
Is there a word limit?
We're looking to publish texts that are around 300 - 1000 words long, though we will publish shorter texts in some formats (for example poetry).
Who is this opportunity for?
This opportunity is for unagented or emerging writers. Don’t be put off pitching us a piece if you haven’t been published before – we’re keen to work with first-time writers too.
Do I have to be in the UK?
Though we are based in the UK, Autograph welcomes stories from around the world. If you can't attend the live event, we can play a recording of you reading your text.
Can I incorporate images or illustrations into my writing?
We are not able to commission or license images from third party providers to publish alongside your text. If relevant, we can incorporate images from Autograph's exhibitions and collection.
Can I pitch a text that has already been published elsewhere?
No. This call is for new writing only, which has not already been shared publicly.
What is Autograph's scope?
We encourage individuals to share the stories that feel relevant in your communities, whether that’s at a local or national level but please bear in mind that you will need to provide relevant context to ensure your story speaks to a general audience.
If I'm successful, when can I expect my writing to be published?
The deadline for applications is Monday 13 July 2026. If your pitch is successful we will be in touch by 20 July, and we will work together towards a publication deadline in mid August.
Will you provide feedback if I'm not selected?
We are a small team and we are not able to offer individual feedback for applicants who are not successful. Often the reason we’re not able to commission your idea is due to our limited capacity and budget rather than the quality of your pitch so please don’t be disheartened and feel free to pitch to us again in future calls for writing.
Read a new text by Claudia Durastanti, commissioned by Autograph to accompany the exhibition
Read text
Read an interview with the artist to find out more about the themes for this call for writing.
Read interviewAll images © Nhu Xuan Hua.
Images on page: 1) Nhu Xuan Hua, Swan – Archive from the year 2000, 2017-2022. Courtesy of the artist and Anne-Laure Buffard, France.
2) Nhu Xuan Hua, New Chapter – Archive from the year ’85 [detail], 2026. Courtesy of the artist and Anne-Laure Buffard, France. Commissioned by Autograph, London. 3) Nhu Xuan Hua, The one who couldn’t talk [detail], 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Anne-Laure Buffard, France. 4) Nhu Xuan Hua, The Dancers – Archive from the year ’85 [detail], 2017-2022. Courtesy of the artist and Anne-Laure Buffard, France.
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Autograph is a space to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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