How to Publish a Poem

Getting your poem published requires as much time and effort as writing the poem. Still, there's no better proof that your poem is worth reading than to know that a publisher is asking readers to pay for the privilege of reading. Follow these steps to get your poem in print.

Things You'll Need

• Poet's Market
• Access to a public library

Instructions

1. Research publishers in the current edition of the "Poet's Market." You can purchase this book or visit the reference desk at your local library to see a copy. Find publications you think might be interested in your poem and read about them. Do they accept submissions for new poets? Do they charge a reading fee? Do they pay? Do they have a website?

2. Read the publications you think might publish your poem. Many have online versions. Your local library will have back issues of others. Ask your librarian for help locating them. As you look through these publications, you will find that some do not publish the kind of poem you have written. Narrow your list of prospects before submitting your poem.

3. Read writers' magazines. These contain advice on how to improve your poem, where to submit, contests you can enter and conferences you can attend. (Many hold contests in conjunction with the conference or have sample issues of publications that are looking for new poets.) Each issue will also have a list of publications you can consider.

4. Consider local publications. Your newspaper may ask for poets to submit poems about the area where you live. The local writers' club may publish its own anthologies or journals or publish a newsletter that may consider your poem for publication.

5. Self-publish your poetry. If you have several poems and want to design, print and sell your own chapbook (a small book of poetry), you can negotiate a contract with a publishing company that offers self-publishing services. Or you can do the job yourself using your own computer and a copying service.

Tips & Warnings

• Publishers receive many more submissions than they can use. If you fail to format your submission properly or follow the publisher's guidelines, you make it easy for the publisher to reject your poem and move on to someone else.

• Don't be fooled by scams like free contests that promise large money prizes but then constantly solicit the entrants to buy expensive books, attend conferences or contract with vanity publishers. Everyone can't be a semi-finalist!