about

SICK is an independent, thoughtful magazine by chronically ill & disabled people, founded & edited by Olivia Spring and designed by Kaiya Waerea.

SICK is committed to elevating the voices of sick & disabled people by publishing essays, features, poetry, visual art, interviews, and more. Our aim is to increase representation of sick & disabled people in publishing and the arts, and to challenge the harmful stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding disability.

Issue 2 is now available to order here. PLEASE NOTE we are not accepting submissions at this time; see below for more information and frequently asked questions.

You can buy SICK online and at 22 shops across seven countries. Please note that some locations are currently closed or online-only due to COVID-19.

United Kingdom

magCulture, Housmans, Stack, TenderBooks, Burley Fisher Books, BOOKS Peckham, Atika, The Second Shelf (London)
Arnolfini, BAM Store + Space, The DIY Supermarket (Bristol)
Rare Mags (Stockport)
Magalleria (Bath)
Good Press (Glasgow)
Shelflife (Cardiff)

Germany

ROSA WOLF, do you read me?! (Berlin)

Portugal

Under the cover (Lisbon)

Spain

CHANDAL (Barcelona)

USA

Iconic Magazines, McNally Jackson (NYC)
BYE BYE NEIGHBOR (NYC-based online shop)

SICK is also available to read at Wellcome Collection Reading Room in London and Norwich Millennium Zine Library.

FAQ

Do you pay contributors?

Yes, we pay 10p per word and £40 for visual art and poetry as we work to increase rates.

When will you be open for submissions?

We do not work with a set timeline, but aim to publish one issue per year. If you would like to be alerted when submission re-open, please sign up to our mailing list and follow us on social media @asickmagazine.

Can I submit if I am not based in the UK?

Anyone who is sick or disabled located anywhere in the world can submit. Please note we pay in GBP.

Does mental illness count as chronic illness/disability?

Of course! Under the 2010 Equality Act, you are considered disabled ‘if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal activities.’

SICK does not publish work that includes medical advice, reviews of treatments/diets/alternative medicine, ‘wellness’ tips, or timelines of personal health.