The largest of Scotland’s literary magazines, Chapman has an average circulation per issue of 2,000 with a readership estimated at about 6,000.

Founded 1970 as an 8-page pamphlet, Chapman has gradually grown to 144 pages with high quality production values. It began placing greater emphasis on world-writing, then changed to focus on Scotland given the lack of publishing resources for Scottish writing. Initally covering poetry only, it expanded to include fiction, theatre, reviews and general cultural discussion. It has played a significant role in the development of the Scottish cultural infrastructure, in politics, language, theatre and other areas. Despite its longevity, it remains genuinely open to new writers and new ideas.

Chapman also stimulates a critical environment by commissioning critical articles mainly on living writers; and provides a forum for debate on cultural issues, mainly centred on Scotland – language, cultural policy, funding and artistic priorities. The magazine also covers theatre, and, from time to time, music and the visual arts. Every issue has a ‘featured artist’, among whom has been Jack Vettriano (100-1), John Bellany (102-3) and William Johnstone (104). There is also an extensive reviews section.

Chapman has never been afraid to be controversial. Themes are chosen by the writers themselves and the editors stress that they do not seek out work with an overt Scottish content. The magazine is well known for its ‘surprises’ – and regularly features highly unusual work, eg Scotland: a Predicament for the Scottish Writer (35-6), On Scottish Theatre (43-4) – and many others. Chapman was the first Scottish publication to attempt to evaluate the contribution of women to the arts in Scotland (Woven by Women – Chapman 27-8, 1080). Its 2002 Centenary issue (100-1) – A Party Between Two Covers – invited all the writers who had appeared in the magazine to submit work, and the response was so great that the ‘Party’' went on for 3 more issues (102-3 and 104).

Unsolicited work is welcomed (but contributors should include a stamped self addressed envelope or envelope with IRC if writing from overseas) and new writers unknown to the magazine feature in every issue. Payment for accepted work varies, but is in the region of £10.00 per page.