24 of the Best Places to Submit Poetry Online
Meghan Christie and Sean Glatch | January 10, 2023 |
What is the best place to submit poetry online? Just like poetry itself, the answer is often complex. Finding the right home for your poetry can take a lot of time and research.
We’re here to help! In this article, we’ll share our 24 best suggestions for where to submit your poetry online. After that, we’ll share key tips to demystify the poetry publishing world, and we’ll finish with closing thoughts on the online poetry journal submission process.
24 of the Best Places to Submit Poetry Online
You will want to build a publication history and portfolio before attempting higher-tier journals. So, instead of writing a general list of the best places to submit poetry online, we’ve divided our list of online poetry journals into three categories, based on your own level of experience, publication history, and goals as a poet. In order, they are:
- Great first-publication journals: places to submit when you don’t have previous publications.
- Reputable online poetry journals: competitive journals to submit to when you have a prior publications list.
- High-level poetry journals to aspire for: journals at the summit of poetry that can create new opportunities for your writing career.
Now, let’s dive into the best journals for your online poetry submissions!
Places to Submit Poetry Online: Reputable First Publications
These journals will publish poetry from both new and established poets.
The following eight journals will publish poetry from both new and established poets alike. Any publication in these journals is a great achievement!
1. Thrush Poetry Journal
Thrush Poetry Journal is a bimonthly publication of “eclectic, moving, surprising” poetry. Named after the thrush, a bird with “the most beautiful voice in the world,” the magazine sponsors poets both new and established — just let your poems sing.
2. 3Elements
3Elements Literary Review posts a call for submissions each quarter. All poems have to involve the three elements that the journal chooses; for the Summer of 2020, the elements are “trapeze, pinprick, calico.” 3Elements publishes poems that combine these elements in effective and unusual ways, and this publication provides a great and challenging prompt.
3. FreezeRay
Poetry has never been nerdier than over at FreezeRay! This journal specializes in pop culture poetry, publishing anything inspired by modern media, making it a unique place to submit poetry online. From video games to horror to modern film, let today’s media landscape prompt you into writing FreezeRay’s next great poetry feature.
4. Barren Magazine
Barren Magazine publishes monthly issues of literature in all genres. Their preferences lean toward poetry that is introspective, original, and participates in a larger literary conversation. Barren also puts out a fun selection of merchandise and has plans for future online poetry and fiction contests.
5. Ghost City Review
Ghost City Review, an offshoot of Ghost City Press, is regularly accepting poetry submissions from new and established writers. Their tastes are eclectic and embrace both the contemporary and the experimental. Ghost City also sponsors the literary community and remains active in uplifting other publications and keeping money inside the publishing world, so be sure to check out their online poetry submissions process as well as their free e-book series!
6. Rising Phoenix Review
Rising Phoenix Review loves poetry that is “visceral” with “stunning, concrete imagery.” Their tastes lean toward the contemporary, sponsoring poetry that uplifts diverse voices and imagines a better world. They are an offshoot of Rising Phoenix Press, which occasionally publishes poetry chapbooks as well.
7. Eunoia Review
Eunoia Review may be the fastest poetry journal on the internet, as it responds to all submissions within 24 hours! Their poetry tastes range from the eclectic to the storytelling, and they are always open for online poetry submissions.
8. Little Death Lit
Little Death Lit puts out quarterly publications with unique themes. They enjoy poetry that is macabre and gothic, as well as poems that are unconventional and play with the quarterly prompt. This is a great journal for seeing and interacting with new and emerging voices in poetry.
Places to Submit Poetry Online: Reputable Journals
Once you’ve got a few publications under your belt, these online poetry journals could catapult your writing toward a larger audience.
Once you’ve got a few publications under your belt, you might have success with one of the following sites. A publication in any of these online poetry journals could catapult your writing toward a larger, more reputable audience!
9. Palette Poetry
Palette Poetry is among the best places to submit poetry online because it has options for everyone. For published writers seeking to highlight their already published work, Palette Poetry offers a “Previously Published Poem Prize.” Out of the poetry magazines that pay, Palette Poetry has the biggest pay-out, with first place being a whopping $2,500 cash prize plus publication; second place being a $300 cash prize plus publication; and third place being a $200 cash prize plus publication.
For experienced, unpublished writers, Palette regularly features poems online, and for those who are able to become “partner poets,” there is a ~$50 to $150 payout per poem. Palette also hosts a “Community Feedback Monthly Editorial” which gives new and experienced writers an opportunity to engage with—and get extremely valuable feedback from—other poets.
10. Rattle
Rattle: Poetry is another great poetry magazine that pays. The journal puts out several popular contests and publication opportunities, including a monthly ekphrastic challenge, a weekly news-writing challenge, and an annual best poem prize. Payouts range from anywhere between $50-$200; if you’re the lucky winner of the Rattle Poetry Prize, this year’s payout is $15,000!
11. Wildness Journal
Wildness Journal, an offshoot of Platypus Press, publishes a quarterly journal for well-crafted, mystifying poems. Their tastes lean toward the highly literary, preferring works that are inventive and well-constructed. In addition to its journal for online poetry submissions, Platypus Press also publishes poetry manuscripts of at least 35 pages in length.
12. Adroit Journal
The Adroit Journal’s mission is to sponsor the next generation of poets, so their resources are often dedicated to youth poets and college-age writers. They seek works that are bold, eclectic, obscure, and daring. In addition to their poetry publications, The Adroit Journal also offers scholarships and awards for young and emerging writers.
13. Frontier Poetry
As the name suggests, Frontier Poetry publishes poetry on the frontiers of craft and language. The journal admires poetry that’s both contemporary and classical, as long as the poem advances the craft of poetry itself. Frontier is especially friendly toward new and emerging poets, and it hosts several contests every year with awards ranging from $100-$300, making them a great poetry magazine that pays.
14. Split Lip Mag
Split Lip Mag loves honesty, pop culture, and voice. Submissions for their journal open bimonthly, and published poems are often distinct and authentic. Split Lip is another poetry magazine that pays — published poets can expect a $50 payment per poem!
15. 8Poems
8Poems publishes eight poems a month. No more, no less. Naturally, a poem with such a tight publication schedule is fairly competitive, but the journal has a preference toward poetry that is narrative, emotive, and plays with words.
16. Southeast Review
Rounding out the list of more competitive poetry journals to submit to, Southeast Review is open for publication year-round. This diverse journal loves poetry that tells a story, and they make an effort to pay their contributors, so go check them out!
Places to Submit Poetry Online: The Summit of Poetry
Every poet aspires to have their work featured in these exclusive, competitive journals.
Every poet aspires to have their work featured in one of the following journals. These online poetry journals are rather exclusive, sponsoring the voices of poets who have an extensive collection of previously published work. That’s not to say you shouldn’t consider these journals for your online poetry submissions; but don’t be too disappointed if they send you a rejection letter — these publications are a reach.
17. Poetry Magazine
Published through the Poetry Foundation, Poetry Magazine is the oldest monthly poetry journal in the English-speaking world. Poetry Magazine receives over 150,000 submissions each year, making them a prized jewel of publication credits. The journal has a leaning toward traditional craft and academic styles, though more recent publications have sponsored eclectic styles.
18. The New Yorker
The New Yorker is at the forefront of culture and has been since 1925. They publish two poems every Monday and seek work that is fresh and emotive. The New Yorker also receives a huge number of online poetry submissions annually, which is why poets often wait 6 months before hearing back; nonetheless, a publication here is a high achievement.
19. AGNI
AGNI, the official literary journal of Boston University, loves poetry that doesn’t care about “what poems should do.” They publish works that are innovative and evolving, yet still cogent in both craft and language. AGNI’s reading period opens up on September 1st and runs until May 31st.
20. The Kenyon Review
The Kenyon Review, a print and online poetry journal out of Kenyon College, publishes craft-focused, language-advancing poetry. On top of its well-respected journal, The Kenyon Review is an active participant in the literary community, regularly hosting workshops, fellowships, internships, and other programs designed to educate the next generation of literary citizens.
21. Ploughshares
Ploughshares, produced out of Emerson College, puts out quarterly publications of highly literary poetry. Submissions to Ploughshares should engage in the contemporary literary conversation and be submitted between June 1st and January 15th.
22. Harvard Review
Harvard Review looks for poetry that is interested in literary techniques. The journal sponsors both emerging and established voices to, as the journal puts it, publish “writers who will be famous next to writers who already are.” Harvard Review reopens for online poetry submissions on August 1st.
23. Lit Hub
Literary Hub, commonly called Lit Hub, publishes prominent voices in the literary world. What makes Lit Hub unique is that they aren’t “open for submissions” like most journals; rather, they partner with other journals to sponsor important works of poetry, prose, and literary criticism. Lit Hub also publishes new works, though they tend to seek out poets rather than respond to submissions.
24. The American Scholar
Finishing up our list of great poetry journals to submit to, The American Scholar is a publication well-known for its business, science, and current issues commentary, but they also accept poetry submissions, which are usually published in the “Web Only” edition of the magazine. The American Scholar is tough competition, but is also one of the best poetry magazines that pay. Web Only submission pay-outs can be as high as $250.
Tips for Navigating the World of Online Poetry Submissions
Finding a home for your poem can be frustrating — there are so many homes to choose from! What’s more, many journals don’t allow simultaneous submissions or take weeks to review your poem, so some poets spend months finding publication for their work. Finding the right journal that’s accepting poetry submissions is daunting, to say the least.
It’s important to understand the poetry submissions process. Most importantly, no poem is guaranteed publication. Poetry reviewers look over hundreds of submissions for each publication, and they often have to make tough decisions about great poems. Good, publishable poems receive rejections all the time, often because a journal has a finite amount of space to publish each month.
Finally, while we think these 24 poetry journals are the best on the net, there are thousands more. You can find a full directory of poetry journals at the literary magazines page on Poets & Writers!
Despite the competitive nature of online poetry journals, you can take specific steps to improve your chances of publication.
Despite the competitive nature of online poetry journals, there are specific steps you can take to improve your chances of publication. Do all of the following before you submit poetry to a journal.
Review the Journal’s Past Publications
It’s good practice to read what the journal has published in the past. Though many online poetry journals accept a wide range of styles and forms, poetry editors still have preferences for what kind of poetry they like to read and publish. Examine the journal’s past publications with a critical eye, and consider whether or not your poem fits among the journal’s ranks.
Follow Formatting Guidelines
When poetry magazines accept online submissions, they often include formatting guidelines alongside their submission rules. It’s best to follow these guidelines, as well as general MLA formatting rules. Use 1-inch margins, a 12-point serif font, and double space stanzas. Taking the time to properly format demonstrates a seriousness about your poetry, whereas unformatted poems may not receive proper attention.
Perfect The Poem’s Title
The journal’s reader is looking for something that grabs their attention right away. A well-titled poem with a stand-out first line will be far more eye-catching than an untitled poem with a slow start. Remember, the reader goes through hundreds of submissions every month, so poetry submissions should stand out from the beginning!
Shoot for the Moon, not the Stars
Lastly, it’s important to note that not all poetry journals are made equal. The poetry world is competitive, and poets often have to secure publications from lesser-known journals before they attempt publication through a reputable magazine.
Closing Thoughts on Online Poetry Magazine Submissions
The publishing world is tough, fast, and competitive. The internet has expanded poetry’s readership and writership; this is a good thing, but with so many other voices, it can be hard to know where to submit your poetry to add your voice to the conversation. You may encounter one rejection, five rejections, or fifty rejections before you find a home for your poem. Don’t let this deter you.
Often, a rejection of your poetry submission has nothing to do with the quality of your work. Rather, poetry editors have a limited amount of space per publication, and they look to publish poems that, when read together, create a bigger conversation. A rejection can simply mean your poems didn’t work for that month’s issue, for reasons completely out of your control.
Don’t think of a rejection letter as a “rejection,” think of it as: there is a better home for my poetry.
Finally, poetry journals are subjective in their treatment of the poetry submissions they receive. After all, journals are run by humans, and although many humans try to be objective in their tastes and preferences, objectivity is impossible in the arts. Don’t think of a rejection letter as a “rejection.” Think of it as follows: there are other places to submit poetry, and there is a better home for my poetry.
Whatever your level of experience and goals for your poetry, the instructors at Writers.com can help you perfect your poems and find new homes for them. Take a look at our upcoming online poetry writing courses and one-to-one coaching options, and take the next step in your poetry writing journey.
This blog was very helpful in finding online poetry submissions.Thank you so much for putting them out here.
Hi there, I’m happy to hear this post helped you find some good publications to consider! Best of luck on getting some poetry acceptances.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this and putting in so much effort. Your the best:)
Thank u. Very helpful for a novice poet.
Haha:)
I’m just a nosy Christian poet looking at the string of messages and had to intervene on this one.;)
No, I checked and King James is not taking any book submissions but apparently they are doing an open call for grievances, concerns, and poetry that is able to express what you’re also grateful for.. No online or book submissions.. just airmail. Fling it in the air while reciting the material u curated in your mind;)
Sit tight and be patient with your hands folded on your lap. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a reply but just believe in your work and that’s all it takes. Good work doesn’t get you acknowledged here. Just believe in yourself.
Sorry everyone but I had to hahaha
Thanks for this list! It’s always interesting to see such subtle differences in how these publications handle things. Another young publication to check out is called the Skrews Syndication. The focus is on darker themed poetry that is shrouded in pain and ill experiences. Worth a look.
– https://loose.skre.ws
Just to add to your suggestion for young publications The Blood Pudding is also great!
https://thebloodpudding.com/
Thank you for that, Augustine.
Would you recommend we submit our poetry to multiple sources? Does that work with certain sources but not all sources? Or wait for a response each time? Would love to know your thoughts, thanks!
Great question! Many journals will let you do what’s called “simultaneous submissions,” which they will specify on the submission guidelines. If you want to submit to multiple journals at the same time, it will probably speed up how long it takes to get that poem published, though be warned that some journals don’t like knowing you’ve submitted to other journals as well. Read the submission guidelines thoroughly, as well as the journal’s past publications.
Good luck!!
Thank you!! I will do just that.
Thank you for your time. Please include The Weekly Avocet – every weekend, Editor a prompt, courteous and kind Charles Portolano, Very encouraging to emerging Nature poets. Their guidelines:
If you don’t send them, we can’t share them!
Share one of your Fall-themed poems,
4 photos, haiku (up to 10), Saving Mother Earth Challenge poems
Please read the guidelines before submitting
Only one poem, per poet, per season. Please send your submission to angeldec24@hotmail.com
Or cportolano@hotmail.com
Please put (early or late) Fall/your last name in the subject line.
Please be kind and address your submission to me, Charles. Thank you.
(Just so you know: I do not read work from a poet who doesn’t take the time
to address their submission to the editor, who they want to read their work.)
Please do not just send a poem, please write a few lines of hello.
Please do not have all caps in the title of your poem.
Please no more than 45+ lines per poem.
Please no religious references.
Please use single spaced lines.
Please remember, we welcome previously published poems.
Please put your name, City/State, and email address under your poem. No Zip codes.
Please send your poem in both the body of an email and an attachment. We look forward to reading your Fall submission…
Thank you for this review, could you guide me where can i submit poems in spanish ?
Hi there,
This is a great question! I don’t know too much about Spanish language journals, but a little bit of digging turned up this article: https://www.latinobookreview.com/database-of-spanish-literary-magazines–journals-in-the-us–latino-book-review.html
Hope this helps, and good luck!!
Hi Sean
Thank you very much for this list , exactly what I have been searching for.
Best,
Giovanni
Hi, is there a journal you recommend related to grieving?
I am looking for the same thing. Let me know if you find anything.
I think that the Ekphrastic Review is one of the very best online magazines. They publish poems based on works of visual art. The poems can be of any style — traditional or free verse.
I have a narrative poem about a day in the life of a Covid nurse; would like to get it out there asap.This poem is begging to be published where the most readers are likely to see it. Any journals or online publications that might be especially receptive to this poem?
Thank you!
Lucinda
They just posted a whole list of publications that might consider your poem. It seems that you already have what you need. Remember, “Good things come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” -Abraham Lincoln
Researching poetry lists today, I came across the American Journal of Nursing – which apparently accepts poetry at $150 per poem, at least at the date of the listing I was reading. Worth checking out! Good luck!
Hi Lucinda. Fellow poet here. Years back I published a poem related to cancer treatment in the Canadian Medical Journal (CMJ). They include a poem at the end of each issue. It’s comparable to the New England Journal of Medicine. So, not a literary magazine, but a sizable readership. Just a thought. -Karin
Thank you for this informative and comprehensive article Megan and Sean. I have so far secured three publications this year with small lit mags. When do I move away from phrases such as ‘I am an emerging poet’ when writing a cover letter to publishers? How many publications do you realistically need, to then refer to ones self as ‘a semi- established poet’ (if that’s the correct phrase)? Any tips on how I can professionally convey this will be most helpful. Thanks.
Hi Neekole,
Great question! Phrases like “emerging poet” are helpful categorizations for publishers and journals, because many publications (nowadays) want to support new literary voices. Generally, an “emerging poet” is a poet who hasn’t yet published a full-length collection of poetry (48+ pages).
That said, you don’t need to call yourself an emerging poet, if you don’t want to. Represent yourself however you like! You can just as easily say you’re an “environmental” poet, a “heartbroken” poet, or a “professional” poet. Most adjectives work!
Where would to the best place to submit dark content poetry. Stuff about the evil that man does to the planet and his fellow man greed and money and the judgment that’s coming
I think there’s already a whole book dedicated to poetry and other literature about “the evil that man does to the planet and his fellow man greed and money and the judgment that’s coming.” I don’t think King James is taking anymore submissions though.
Thank you for the information. If I get published, I’ll give you guys a shout out in my “About the Author” section. Thank you, Meghan and Sean! Now if you guys have any articles on “How to Write a Poem”, let me know please.
Is there a good website giving inspiring poems for polio survivors? If not, perhaps there should be.
There’s a lot of us around, even though the disease was eliminated a long time ago in most countries. Polio killed or crippled many; even those who recovered well may now be struggling with post-polio syndrome.
I had a go at writing such a poem. Here it is:
Overnight hospital stay
first for a very a very long time;
when a toddler, illness forced
a fearsome confinement –
hours of therapy daily,
no contact with other kids;
the compensation has been
that restriction reluctance
kept me out of jail and hospital!
This poem is in the 15/6/19 post of my non-commercial blog about various subjects. The blog is easy to find, and its pictures are popular.
I would suggest ‘ COMMAFUL and Craigslist as well. I just Published a poem I wrote in a free classified ads section of the DAYTOÑA BEACH BOOKS and MAGAZINES and it will remain their for 6 months and it did not cost me a penny either. I’m also considering starting up my own PODCAST and if I do I will be doing poetry readings on it . Brian Keith Mino
Thank you for this information. It helps me a lot.
Thanks for the list. It will be very helpful for me . Thankyou
Excellent. Grouping in order of importance or professionalism is very useful.
When rejected, I think “bastards”.
‘…and there is a better home for my poetry.’
I have a boss who would like to have a favorite poem he likes, but did not write, printed in a publication for him to enjoy. Can he do this? With which publications can he make a request to run the poem?
Hi Donna, good question! Unfortunately, literary journals don’t work this way–they only seek new, unpublished works of poetry, submitted from the poet themselves. You may be able to find some publication venues in local newspapers or periodicals, but since literary journals have a finite amount of space (and a wealth of submissions), they probably won’t consider other kinds of submissions.
This is a very nice site to learn and read the poetry of international writers.
I congratulate all behind this great creative job.
Am grateful
Another young digital literary magazine that has a new issue out each month and loads of opportunity: opendoorpoetrymagazine.com – and it’s free to subscribe and free to submit
We want to read your stories!
I am establishing a micro-publishers called goatshedpress. We are going to be publishing high-quality, cutting edge chapbooks of collected writing. I would love to read your short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Contributors will receive free copies to sell/distribute, and an author bio both in the chapbook and on our website (still in development).
Email your writing to goatshedpress@gmail.com and I will try my best to get back to you in under two weeks. Look forward to reading your work!
Jack
Would this include poetry for children?
Jack I am.veru interested. My poems stem from earlier experiences growing up in a segregated city..Childhood extended family experiences..self worth and identifying your strengths. I have submitted 7 collections and begin self publishing my works.
Unpublished, new poet.
Wondering what kind of info to include/not include in a cover letter with my poem submissions,
Thank you.
Hi David,
Good question! Rather than reinvent the wheel, I’m going to point you towards this article from Writer’s Digest, which sums it up perfectly: https://www.writersdigest.com/personal-updates/sample-cover-letters-for-poetry-submissions
Best of luck!
Thank you for this article. I wish I had it to read when I first started submitting. My experience at submitting backs up what you say about the journals here.
Folks, realize that 5% acceptance rate of your poetry is common. It’s really about finding the exact audience for your home and voice.
Some of my best poetry has been submitted a dozen times and still not found publication while other poems that aren’t as good just fit what editors we’re looking for.
This is a great list! There are so many online journals that are good for poetry! Check out The Westchester Review at this link: https://www.westchesterreview.com/
Nice article.
Would request if you could add http://www.littleauthors.in/ in your article which caters to young adults.
Where is good place to publish tasteful poetry with a sensual flare?
Oh yes, I would love to know this as well because I write soft erotica poetry! It’s very tasteful and sensual.
Please include the following CFS :
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Literature Today- January 2023 Issue
We are inviting submissions for January 2023 issue of ‘Literature Today-An International Literary Journal’. The theme of our January 2023 issue is ‘Love’. You can send us poems, short stories, memoirs and one minute plays on :
1. love at first sight
2. poem/story/one minute play in memory of a loved one
3. love as an aesthetic experience
4. love and teenagers
5. love and romance as predestined event
6. love relationships and role of gods
7. love and marriage
8. love as illusion
9. love in the age of internet
10. lovers as rebels
11. platonic love
12. love and immortality
13. disappointment/deceit in love
14. lovers as saints
15 any other theme related to love
Submission Deadline: December 20, 2022.
Submission Guidelines:
1. Send not more than 4 poems (preferably short poems upto 1 page for each poem).
2. Send not more than 2 short stories (word limit of 500 words for each story)/2 one minute plays (2 pages for each play)/ 2 memoirs (1000 words for each memoire).
3. Work submitted for publication must be original.
4. Simultaneous submissions are also welcome.
5.Send all submissions to editorliteraturetoday@gmail.com
6. Please send a cover letter and short Bio-data, (Maximum 100 words) in third person narrative, with your submission. Please attach a high resolution photo of yours too.
Submission Deadline: December 20, 2022.
To check the free E-book of June 2022 issue please visit: https://literaturetodayjournal.blogspot.com/
To know more about us please visit:
Website: https://literaturetodayjournal.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/literaturetodayjournal
Linkedin:https://in.linkedin.com/pub/literature-today-journal/96/a4a/47a
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/literaturetoday/
Don’t forget Written Tales.
https://writtentales.substack.com
They help authors get seen and read. Worth checking them out.
“Remove Literary, Grammatical & Syntactical Inhibition.”
– Jack Kerouac
– Author of “On the Road” and 15 other novels. Allen Ginsberg described his writing style as “poetical fiction.”
This list is fantastic, thanks so much! I’ve been working on my poetry journal for years now and am finally ready for others to read my poems. 🙈
I too, have been working on my poetry portfolio for a few years. I’ve been on the website called FanStory.com and there is a 12.95 fee monthly, however it is well worth it, considering the benefits of being a member on the site. This is not only for poetry but novels, screen plays, short stories and poetry. You join and start writing. You are met with honest reviews and you have a placement on where you’re at in your particular work. It definitely helped me when writing poetry because I took the constructive criticism and allowed that to make me a better poet! You also become better at editing your own work, which is an art of is own!
TRY IT❣️
Thank you for this list of poetry submissions, I’m going to certainly be submitting ASAP ❣️
Is there a magazine that responds to submissions and pays within 24 hours of submission??
There’s also Silent Spark Press and they have e-books of diverse types of poetry and I believe they accept submissions all year long, to make sure check them out!
They chose my poem titled STRENGTH last year and I was elated, to say the least!
They also published my poem to a hard back cover, as well as the e-book. The e-book was called EXEMPLARY POETRY and they had diverse genrés of poetry that they accept. Check them out!
Hi! I really found this very helpful thank you! And I found the comments helpful as well. Do you have advice or an article on copywriting? I don’t know what the best way for poetry is, and I would want to get that finished before submitting my work to lit journals.