I had the pleasure of speaking with Effy Kousteni, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Spellbinder, an independent literary and arts magazine committed to gathering creative voices from around the world. Spellbinder has grown into a vibrant space for poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, drama, and visual art — a quarterly publication that pairs thoughtful editorial vision with an inclusive, ever-curious community.

In our conversation, Effy reflects on the magazine’s origins, its commitment to welcoming writers at every stage, and the kind of work that excites her most: pieces that take risks, embrace complexity, and explore the shifting edges of identity and perception. She also shares insight into Spellbinder’s evolving mission, upcoming issue, and how contributors can connect with the team.

Full interview and submission details below.

HOPKINSON: Tell me a little bit about Spellbinder. 

KOUSTENI: Spellbinder is an independent literary and arts magazine dedicated to showcasing creative voices from around the world. We publish poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, drama and visual art in a quarterly magazine available in print and digitally. Beyond the magazine, we use Instagram and our Substack blog to connect with artists and continue conversations around literature, art and the creative process. At its heart, Spellbinder seeks to bring together an inclusive community of writers and artists, celebrating work that is original, thought-provoking and true to their own experiences. 

HOPKINSON: How/why was Spellbinder originally started? 

KOUSTENI: Spellbinder was founded in 2020 by a group of students in Durham, England. Tatianna and I worked together as Drama Editors for about a year before becoming Editors-in-Chief, and we were thrilled to build on the creative community that had already been established. The magazine grew out of a shared passion for art and a desire to give emerging writers and artists more opportunities to share their work. It was also conceived as a way to encourage conversations around art and literature, and that original spirit of discovery, expression and camaraderie continues to shape the magazine today. 

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience? 

KOUSTENI: One of the things I love most about Spellbinder is that it isn’t aimed at one particular demographic or level of literary experience. We want anyone, whoever they are, whoever they want to be, and whoever they may not have had the chance to become, to feel welcome. Our readership is anyone with a love of literature and the arts, and a curiosity about different perspectives. 

HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for in submissions? 

KOUSTENI: We welcome poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, drama and visual art. We’re particularly drawn to emotionally resonant work that takes creative risks, whether through strong storytelling, distinctive perspectives or inventive forms. We also value writing that approaches complex subjects with nuance and empathy. We’re open to a wide range of genres, styles and themes, and we don’t impose specific themes for submissions, allowing contributors the freedom to explore whatever matters to them. 

HOPKINSON: What do you wish you’d see submitted, but rarely comes in? 

KOUSTENI: I’m particularly drawn to writing that explores ambiguity and the shifting nature of identity, where certainty gives way to complexity and the boundaries between realism and the surreal begin to blur. I love work that asks what it means to be human and how we make sense of ourselves, especially when our perceptions are unsettled or transformed. I also have a soft spot for irony, particularly the kind that says, “I’m not alright, but at least I’m creative and self-aware enough to write my way through it.” 

Tatianna and I would also love to see more monologues as drama submissions. There’s something deeply intimate about the form: a single voice can reveal as much through its silences as through what it openly expresses, inviting us to question the relationship between truth, memory and self-perception.

HOPKINSON: What are some of your favorite lit mags/journals?

KOUSTENI: I’m excited by literary magazines that build genuine communities around literature. I admire publications that make room for diverse voices and experimental work while maintaining a strong editorial identity. L’Esprit Literary Review is one of those. It approaches literature as a living revolution of consciousness, carrying forward the spirit of High Modernism through work that challenges convention and expands our understanding of form and perception. 

HOPKINSON: What is your favorite part of being on staff with the Spellbinder?

KOUSTENI: My favourite part is getting to work with such wonderful people. Spellbinder is an ongoing conversation, both within the team and with the writers and artists whose work we publish. We share ideas, advice, support and inspiration, and I get to encounter perspectives I might never otherwise come across.

Literature reminds us of the power of language, something we can easily take for granted in everyday life. Even the most mundane things can take on new meaning when we find the words to describe them. Language shapes how we understand the world and our place within it, what we choose to accept, what we challenge, and what we feel needs to change. The words we use can reinforce existing ways of thinking, but they can also question them and open up new possibilities. There’s something wonderful about being part of a magazine that gives people the space to challenge familiar perspectives and imagine alternatives 

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions? 

KOUSTENI: You can submit your work through the online submission form on our website: spellbindermag.com/submission-form. Submissions are free, and we welcome writers and artists from around the world who are aged 18 and over. 

HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you? 

KOUSTENI: The easiest way is through the contact form on our website at spellbindermag.com/contact. Please be as specific as possible so we can direct your question to the right person. If you’re enquiring about a submission, it’s helpful to mention the category you’ve submitted to. We also share updates and announcements through our social media channels.

HOPKINSON: Is there anything exciting coming up you’d like to mention? 

KOUSTENI: We’re continuing to develop Spellbinder as a space for ambitious, original writing and art, and we’re excited to see how the magazine evolves through the work we receive. Our 25th issue is scheduled for Winter 2027, with submissions closing on 1 November 2026. We’re also working on ways to deepen our relationship with our readership and make the magazine more accessible to a wider creative community. We look forward to sharing more soon.

Click here to read submission guidelines.

• SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Nov. 1, 2026 (for next issue)
  • Submissions are open year-round, with our main reading periods following a quarterly schedule. We’re currently accepting work for our Winter 2027 issue until 1 November 2026, and we aim to respond to all submissions within six weeks of the closing date.
• FORMAT: Online and print. We publish a quarterly paperback magazine and offer digital access to issues via our website.
• SUBMISSION FEE: None, submissions are free.
• PAYMENT: We are currently unable to offer contributor payment or honorariums.
• ISSUE FREQUENCY: Quarterly
• AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME: We aim to respond within six weeks of the submission window closing.
• SUBMISSION METHOD: Online submission form on our website.
• SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: Yes, though please notify us as soon as possible if your work is accepted elsewhere.
• FORMS: Poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, drama (including stage plays, screenplays and monologues), and visual art.
• LISTINGS: Chill Subs, Duotrope
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram

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