Values
1—Inclusivity
We have a free and open submissions policy, and read blind—except when authors put their name on the work itself. We realise that bias can be unconscious, and actively seek out work from under-represented groups, periodically reviewing our submissions and publishing activities with this in mind. The magazine team is diverse, and we aim to increase this diversity. We keep our cover price as low as possible given our high print standards.
2—An international outlook
Although nominally a British magazine, Structo was founded in the Netherlands, and its staff are spread over three continents. Our contributors are also international, and on the translation side we have published work from languages and dialects as varied as Arabic, Bengali, Catalan, Chinese, Faroese, French, German, Jèrriais, Korean, Russian, Shetlandic and Thai.
3—Support
We currently pay a token fee for publication and support our authors long after publication. This is accomplished in many ways, including: free subscriptions to agents, editors and others in the industry; nominations to prizes and other competitions; and a chapbook series open to submissions from previously published authors and poets. Stories first published in Structo have been chosen for multiple anthologies, including Best British Short Stories, and have been shortlisted for the Stack Award for Best Original Fiction.
4—Independence
We are not linked to a university or any other institution, nor do we receive any outside funding. Since our founding in 2008 we have not carried any advertising, instead choosing to be completely reader-supported. The magazine grows as its readership does.
5—Ethical printing
The print edition of the magazine is printed with vegetable oil-based inks on FSC-certified, 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper. Prior to switching to print-on-demand, our per-issue sell-through rate was >80%.
6—Community
We do not charge a submissions fee, however we do require those sending in work to also attach a photo of a recently purchased literary magazine before their submission will be considered. This has many wonderful upsides, including a more engaged contributor base and finding out about wonderful new magazines. We are members of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, and started a Facebook group for literary magazine staffers to share knowledge.