How to Start Publishing Poetry
Tips and Techniques for Submitting to Literary Magazines and Poetry
Aug 5, 2009
Not everyone who writes poetry wants to be a published poet. For some, it is simply a hobby, a way of expressing their thoughts and feelings through language and rhyme. For others, however, poetry is a vocation, a way of life and, hopefully, a way of making a living (or at least making a little money). Perhaps more importantly, it is their way of communicating with the world, and thus, they’d like it to be read and heard outside of their own social circle.
For those in the latter group, publishing is the ultimate aim of writing poetry, but as many hopeful poets find out all too quickly, it can be a very difficult aim to achieve. Poetry readers are an increasingly select group, it seems, and poetry publishers are finding it harder and harder to be profitable. In fact, very few publishers specialize exclusively in poetry, and most major publishing houses publish only one or two poetry titles a year.
Would-be poets shouldn’t let this discourage them, however. The obstacles to publishing a poetry collection are steep, but there is a way around them. The key to publishing poetry, especially for the first time, is entering poetry contests and submitting to small poetry magazines and literary journals.
Poetry Journals and Literary Magazines
Most hopeful poets or writers have a few literary journals around; they may even have a subscription to one or two of them. The problem is, these tend to be the well-known, high-end magazines — the kind that publish mostly known writers. And even if these journals say they are willing to publish new writers, the odds are slim.
Poets who are just beginning to send out their work should target smaller, lesser-known poetry journals. Many university English departments sponsor literary magazines, and there are a number of other options, as well. NewPages offers a list of literary journals both large and small, and Poets&Writers also maintains a database of literary publications. Of course, there’s also the perennial Poet’s Market, available online or at your local bookstore or library.
The advent of the Internet has given poets yet another medium for publishing their poetry: cyberspace. Online poetry journals are gaining popularity, and many actively seek submissions for each issue. This can be a remarkable opportunity for beginning poets; after all, once you’ve published, even if it’s online, it’s easier to publish again — this time, perhaps in print.
Submitting to poetry journals is usually free, but it may take a while for poets to hear back — in some cases, several months. Payment also tends to be minimal; sometimes, the remuneration is simply a copy or two of the issue in which the submission appears.
Some journals offer to return submissions with comments, as long as entrants enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Again, it may take months for a response, but this can be an invaluable service to beginning poets.
When submitting to any poetry journal or literary magazine, be sure to follow the submission guidelines exactly. Not only is it polite, but it also portrays professionalism; besides, some places use the guidelines as an initial sorting feature and discard non-conforming entries without even reading them.
Poetry Contests
Poetry contests are another great way to start flexing poetic muscles. Most literary magazines and poetry journals run annual poetry contests, and these can be an easier way for beginning poets to get published in the better-known magazines. As an added bonus, most contests also include a monetary prize for winners.
Of course, unlike regular submissions, contest entries must often be accompanied by an entry fee — usually between $20 and $50. However, this generally includes a one-year subscription to the publication.
As with journals, poetry contests are also popping up in cyberspace. It is important for would-be poets to take caution when entering online poetry contests, however; the Internet is a prime medium for scams. Thoroughly investigate the contest’s sponsoring organization or publication to ensure it’s legitimate. If there are any doubts, it’s better to forego entering.
Like submissions to poetry journals, contest entries should be formatted exactly as stated in the contest information. Generally, contest rules require that entries be free of identifying information. The poet’s name and contact information are to be listed only on a separate cover sheet, along with the names of the poems submitted. That way, the judging can be conducted blindly; the poems are only matched to their authors after the winners have been decided.
Literary journals and poetry contests are great places for beginning poets to try out their work. Even if the poems are rejected, the submission process is great practice. Beginning poets should take advantage of publications that offer feedback on submissions and should not let rejection deter them. Many successful poets are rejected their first time out; perseverance is the key to eventually seeing one’s poetry published.
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