So you wrote a poem. Now what? You look at those words on the paper and start wondering whether those words would ever be viewed by anybody. It is impossible to think of a poem published, right?
Wrong. Poets everywhere are breaking into print and online publications. Some are teenagers. Others picked up writing after retirement. What separates them from writers who never see their work in print?
They submitted their poems. That’s it. They did research, went by regulations and submitted their work. Publication of a poem is never an issue of fortune or contacts. It is to do with grasping the game and playing the game. Looking to get your poetry published? Let’s chat!
What Are the Best Places to Submit Poetry?
Literary magazines are goldmines for new poets. These publications need fresh content for every issue. Editors actively hunt for voices they haven’t published before. Why? Because readers get bored with the same names appearing repeatedly.
Small press journals operate differently than big publishers. They take risks on unknown writers. Many started as passion projects by poets who wanted to showcase work the mainstream ignored. These editors remember being beginners themselves.
Online poetry sites have exploded in recent years. Websites like Poetry Daily, Verse Daily, and dozens of others need constant content. They move faster than print magazines. Some pay writers. Others offer something equally valuable – exposure to thousands of readers.
Don’t overlook poetry contests. Winners get their poem published in contest anthologies. Entry fees vary wildly. Some charge nothing. Others want fifty dollars. Research the contest’s reputation before paying anything.
How Do You Find Poetry Publishers?
Start by reading poetry magazines. Not just skimming – actually reading them cover to cover. Notice the style differences. Some prefer narrative poems. Others want experimental work. Each publication has a personality.
Your local library probably subscribes to poetry magazines. Most people walk past them without a second glance. Smart poets grab these magazines and study them like textbooks. They contain the secrets to getting published.
Online directories list poetry markets by genre, payment rates, and submission periods. Writers use these resources to build target lists. Some cost money. Others are free. The free ones work just as well for beginners.
Writing groups share insider knowledge. Poets who’ve been publishing for years know which editors respond quickly. They know which magazines pay and which don’t. This information saves months of research time.
What Should You Know About Submission Guidelines?
Every magazine posts submission rules. Some want poems pasted into email bodies. Others demand Word attachments. Miss this detail and your poem goes straight to the trash folder.
Length requirements matter more than most writers realize. A five-page poem won’t work for a magazine that wants pieces under twenty lines. Editors don’t make exceptions. They get hundreds of submissions monthly.
Formatting reveals professionalism instantly. Double-spaced text in standard fonts shows you understand publishing basics. Comic Sans font in rainbow colors suggests amateur status. Presentation matters in poetry just like job interviews.
Simultaneous submissions create confusion for new writers. Some magazines allow you to submit the same poem to multiple places. Others want exclusive consideration. Read the fine print carefully.
How Long Does the Publishing Process Take?
Response times vary dramatically across publications. Fast magazines reply within weeks. Slow ones might take half a year. Academic journals move especially slowly because professors read submissions during breaks between semesters.
Waiting drives writers crazy. You check email constantly. You refresh your inbox forty times per day. This behavior won’t speed up responses. It will make you miserable.
Rejection letters arrive in different forms. Some magazines send form letters. Others write personal notes explaining why your poem didn’t work. Both responses provide value, even when disappointing.
Acceptance emails usually arrive unexpectedly. You are shopping for groceries or taking your dog out and then your phone will hoot. That random notification might announce your poem published successfully.
Do You Need an Agent to Get Published?
Single poem submissions don’t require agents. Poets contact magazines directly. This approach works perfectly for individual pieces. Agents focus on book-length projects that generate bigger commissions.
Poetry book publishers operate differently. Some prefer agented submissions. Others accept unagented work. Study each publisher regarding his/her preferences to submit the entire manuscript.
Building relationships with editors beats having an agent. Attend poetry readings where editors might appear. Follow their social media accounts. Engage with their content genuinely.
Should You Start with Online or Print Publications?
Both formats offer legitimate publishing opportunities. Online magazines reach global audiences instantly. Print publications provide physical proof of your published work. Neither format is superior to the other.
Digital venues often respond faster than print magazines. They don’t worry about printing costs or distribution schedules. Many online publications have earned respect over time. Getting a poem published online absolutely counts as real publication.
Print magazines carry traditional prestige. Some have operated for decades. Literary awards committees often prefer print publications. But this bias is changing as digital literature gains acceptance.
Smart writers submit to both formats. This strategy doubles publication opportunities. Different magazines prefer different submission seasons. Variety keeps your work circulating year-round.
What Happens After Your Poem Gets Published?
Published poems create momentum for future acceptances. Editors notice writers who appear in respected magazines. One publication often leads to another. Success builds on itself in poetry circles.
Publication credits accumulate over time. Each poem published strengthens your writing resume. Such credits are useful during grant requests, residency, or book contracting. They prove your work appeals to editors and readers.
Rights issues become important after publication. Most magazines buy first rights only. This means you can republish the poem elsewhere later. Make records of where every piece was used.
How Can You Increase Your Chances of Getting Published?
Reading widely improves your acceptance rate dramatically. Study poems in your target magazines. Understanding their aesthetic preferences helps you submit appropriate work. Editors notice writers who understand their publication’s identity.
Revision separates published poets from unpublished ones. Polish your work before submission. Rushed poems rarely succeed. Take time to perfect each line. Editing makes good poems great poems.
Respecting editors by adhering to a carefully followed manner of submission saves time. They notice writers who pay attention to details. This professionalism influences acceptance decisions more than most writers realize.
Persistence matters most in poetry publishing. It is a rejection of everybody, even famous poets. It is all about determination whether one makes it as a published or unpublished writer. Keep submitting. Keep improving. Continue having faith in what you are doing.
Getting a poem published requires strategy and patience. Start with appropriate markets. Follow guidelines precisely. Expect to be rejected. Not everyone will get it instantly however, success will be achieved to the person who never gives up.
The poetry world needs new voices. Your perspective matters. Every published poet started exactly where you are now. Stop wondering and start submitting. Your first publication is waiting out there.