Getting Your Poetry Published
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:58 pm
Getting a poem published in a poetry magazine or e-zine is easier than getting a novel published or having your screen play accepted by Hollywood.
There are many poetry magazines out there that will publish good poems by new poets.
A full list of poetry mags can be found at Poetry Kit:
UK
http://www.poetrykit.org/magsatok.htm
or e-zines at: http://www.poetrykit.org/ezines.htm
USA
http://www.poetrykit.org/usa/usmags.htm
Australia
http://www.poetrykit.org/oz/ozmags.htm
However, before you send off your precious poems check out the following bullet points:
* Research the magazine in advance to try and get a feel for the type of poems that they publish. Different magazines have different editorial policies.
* Type up 3 - 6 of your best poems. Make sure that they are well presented and easy to read i.e. a single poem on a sheet of A4 paper. Remember to enclose a S.A.E.. Many poetry magazines are run on a shoestring and, therefore, cannot afford to pay for return postage.
* Do not send in your life history or say how good you think you are; let your poems do the talking.
* Do not expect the editor to provide a detailed critique of your work. His/her job is to produce a poetry magazine. You may get some useful feedback or you may simply get a compliments slip with "yes please" or "no thank you" written on it. If you want feedback on your poetry, join a creative writing group or use a forum like this one.
* Allow the editor time to consider your work. Some editors are very prompt but some are very slow. If, after 3 months, you have heard nothing it is reasonable to write and enquire.
* Most paper-based magazines will not accept submissions via e-mail.
* If you are fortunate enough to have a poem accepted don't expect a big payment. You might receive £10-£20 or you might get nothing at all.
* Beware of scams. There are some people out there who will try to prey on your desire to be published e.g. Poetry.com and Forward Press. As a general rule, reputable publishers will not ask you for money!
* When you have had at least half a dozen poems published in reputable magazines you could try sending a larger selection to a poetry book publisher with a view to getting your 1st collection accepted.
At the top of the tree there is Faber and Faber:
http://www.faber.co.uk
However, there are a number of other small, quality poetry publishers including:
http://www.peterloopoets.co.uk
http://www.bloodaxebooks.com
http://www.anvilpresspoetry.com
http://www.carcanet.co.uk
http://www.enitharmon.co.uk
http://www.viking-press.com
Remember: Many are called, but few are chosen!
Good luck and may the force be with you.
Cam
There are many poetry magazines out there that will publish good poems by new poets.
A full list of poetry mags can be found at Poetry Kit:
UK
http://www.poetrykit.org/magsatok.htm
or e-zines at: http://www.poetrykit.org/ezines.htm
USA
http://www.poetrykit.org/usa/usmags.htm
Australia
http://www.poetrykit.org/oz/ozmags.htm
However, before you send off your precious poems check out the following bullet points:
* Research the magazine in advance to try and get a feel for the type of poems that they publish. Different magazines have different editorial policies.
* Type up 3 - 6 of your best poems. Make sure that they are well presented and easy to read i.e. a single poem on a sheet of A4 paper. Remember to enclose a S.A.E.. Many poetry magazines are run on a shoestring and, therefore, cannot afford to pay for return postage.
* Do not send in your life history or say how good you think you are; let your poems do the talking.
* Do not expect the editor to provide a detailed critique of your work. His/her job is to produce a poetry magazine. You may get some useful feedback or you may simply get a compliments slip with "yes please" or "no thank you" written on it. If you want feedback on your poetry, join a creative writing group or use a forum like this one.
* Allow the editor time to consider your work. Some editors are very prompt but some are very slow. If, after 3 months, you have heard nothing it is reasonable to write and enquire.
* Most paper-based magazines will not accept submissions via e-mail.
* If you are fortunate enough to have a poem accepted don't expect a big payment. You might receive £10-£20 or you might get nothing at all.
* Beware of scams. There are some people out there who will try to prey on your desire to be published e.g. Poetry.com and Forward Press. As a general rule, reputable publishers will not ask you for money!
* When you have had at least half a dozen poems published in reputable magazines you could try sending a larger selection to a poetry book publisher with a view to getting your 1st collection accepted.
At the top of the tree there is Faber and Faber:
http://www.faber.co.uk
However, there are a number of other small, quality poetry publishers including:
http://www.peterloopoets.co.uk
http://www.bloodaxebooks.com
http://www.anvilpresspoetry.com
http://www.carcanet.co.uk
http://www.enitharmon.co.uk
http://www.viking-press.com
Remember: Many are called, but few are chosen!
Good luck and may the force be with you.
Cam