Where Can I Submit Poetry to Be Published?
Writing poetry is a creative form of artistic expression and many aspiring poets have their sights set on having their work published in magazines, journals, newspapers and anthologies. Pitching your poetry to a potential publisher can make presenting and sharing your work much easier and more accessible. With that in mind, it’s worth exploring the steps poets should take when looking to submit their work.
Therefore, it is important to understand the kind of platform that is available to poets looking to be published. Poets can submit their work to literary journals and magazines, writing circles and anthologies. Each of these avenues has different invites and processes for the submission of poetry, so it’s important to get acquainted with the kind of criteria these platforms require.
Literary journals, for example, are highly competitive. Writers and poets have to be on the lookout for the calls for submissions, which are available on their websites. This can be particularly difficult to navigate as frequently, respondents have to present their work in a very specific format and include particular biographical information.
Furthermore, magazines can usually be found in bookstores or online and are typically open to unsolicited submissions. Another compelling option is to submit your poem to a poetry contest. There are many organizations that offer the opportunity to poets – such as The Poetry Society or The Poetry Foundation. Not only will you have the chance to get your work noticed and appreciated, there is also the chance of winning a prestigious award or a monetary reward.
In addition to these options, another good way to gain more recognition for your work is to read your poem at open mic events or poetry slams. Here, you can share your work with an audience, develop a connection with them and get a sense of what resonates with them. It may be that potential publishers will be present at these events.
Self-publishing has also become an increasingly popular option for poets. Publishing your own poetry can be liberating and it may help you secure the backing of a successful publisher later on. Examples of self-publishing platforms include Wattpad or Poets and Writers.
The internet is, overall, an excellent tool to boost visibility and readership. There are various websites that offer exposure to poets, such as Poem Hunter and Writers Café. Such places allow people to share and recommend work and enter competitions, so they’re worth exploring.
Making the Most of Social Media
The power of social media should not be underestimated. Not only can it provide exposure and access to an unlimited readership and potential publishers, it is also often free and convenient to use. Tasked with finding new readers, writers and poets can use social media platforms to create communities and follow trends that could lead to potential exposure.
Social media has become an invaluable tool for poets to gain notoriety and support from like-minded people from around the world. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook allow poets to showcase their work, quickly generate recognition and even create discussions.
It can be an effective way to get other poets to read and share your work – even if it’s not formally published. Author and poet Shannon Madden claims that many of the platform’s users are ‘poets and savvy marketing enthusiasts’ who can be particularly influential in helping creatives spread the word about their work.
Likewise, poetry has a considerable influence on YouTube, with millions of viewers engaging with spoken word poetry that ranges from informational pieces such as ‘The Story of stuff’ to more poetic pieces by authors such as Zolani Mahola.
Do Your Research
Whichever path you choose to take, it is important to do your research. You must get familiar with the kinds of publication platforms that poets usually submit to, spot calls for submissions and take advantage of them if you see something that may interest you.
Finally, it is important to approach the act of submitting your work with care and confidence. Professionalism, organization and attention to detail can be extremely helpful during the submission process.
How Can I Improve My Chances?
Having a portfolio that can be accessed easily is a great way to demonstrate your work to publishers. Consider creating a website that showcases your poems and bio in the most attractive way. Many poets also find it useful to have a blog with their work in it, as it can help attract more potential readers and editors.
Once you’ve built a portfolio, it is important to build a strong online identity. Keep in mind that many readers, prospective publishers and artists are out there looking for new talents online, so it’s a great idea to make sure that your work is visible and easy to find. Building sharp and interesting biographies will make your work more accessible and draw more attention from potential publishers.
Familiarizing yourself with the basics of the publishing industry is also incredibly helpful. Research the kinds of magazines and journals that would be interested in your work, build relationships with the editors and build a strong connection with established writers to get an idea of what editors are looking for in the submission process.
Where to Find Creative Publication Platforms
Nowadays, there are many alternative outlets that can provide poets with the platform they are looking for. Scrivener is one of these outlets – it is a platform specially designed for poets that offers helpful resources and feedback from some of the best poets and writers around.
Medium is another useful digital platform, in which poets are able to make their voices heard. Writers can create accounts and start their own journals and magazines here, enabling them to attract more attention for their work and even raise money for them.
Submittable is a great online platform for writers that curates opportunities for writers, poets and creatives to submit their work. Poets can search for potential contests and platforms here. The calls for story submissions are constantly updated.
Moving into the real world, poets may want to explore the possibilities of performing their work in person. Poets can get in touch with a local café or restaurant and politely ask if they can read at an open mic night. Here, you are likely to gain a small but devoted readership. It is also a great way of starting conversations and having a greater understanding of how your work resonates with a live audience.
Benefits of Networking and Collaborating
Having a strong network of writers, poets and artists around you can be of tremendous help when it comes to submitting your work. Consider teaming up with other writers, editors and poets who can help create and build an online portfolio for you and develop press releases and marketing campaigns with the aim of getting your work more visibility. Collaborations can help to build and hone your skills, explore new styles and genres and establish yourself in the community.
These sorts of networks can help you to make useful contacts, expand your reach and increase your chances of getting your work published. Crafting meaningful and effective relationships with creative professionals can be a great way to get your work noticed and potentially published.
Know the Market
It is important to keep in mind that the market for poetry is quite limited in comparison to that of other literary genres. There are fewer poetry magazines and journals available, so it’s worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the ones that do exist and their preferences and criteria. For example, some journals might prefer certain styles, such as humour-filled sonnets or more traditional classical ghazals, whereas others may be more flexible and open to experimentation.
Therefore, the key to getting your work published, rather than just accepted, is to know the target publications and cater to them. You must keep in touch with what’s trending in the industry and make sure that your poems are fresh and relevant, whilst making sure they retain their artistic integrity.
Where to Find Support
Finding guidance can be of great importance and help build confidence when working to get published. Poetry residencies, workshops and mentorships can provide poets with other kinds of support, such as living and medical expenses during the writing process and the opportunity to build or refine manuscripts in a secure environment.
Programmes such as Cave Canem offer free creative writing education for poets that aim to help and create a community for them to share their work and learn from one another. Writers can join workshops and literary forums where they can have conversations with authors, review manuscripts and join monthly newsletters on exciting writing opportunities.
Overall, getting your poetry published can be a daunting task, particularly when awards, calls for submissions and competitions can easily be missed. Therefore, it is important to make informed decisions, do your research and suggest achievable goals and decisions.
Finding platforms to express yourself can be challenging but with creativity, hard work and determination you can get your work noticed, shared and ultimately published.
