How to Format Poetry Submissions
In addition to privately owned poetry magazines, many colleges and universities publish a literary magazine, giving poets a variety of ways to get their work published. Because poems are typically a page or shorter in length, literary magazines often publish far more poems than short stories or essays. The quality of your poetry is what gets it accepted for publication, but proper formatting ensures it's not tossed in the trash before getting read. Formatting varies based on the publisher's rules, but there are general guidelines that are valuable to follow.
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Things You'll Need
- Poetry Submission Guideline Handbook
- White bond paper
- Two envelopes
- Proper postage
Instructions
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Read a current issue of the poetry publication you want to submit to. Notice how its poems are formatted, and what type of work it usually publishes.
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Read the publication's submission guidelines, which are typically found on the publication's website. Here is where they detail the rules, such as how you should format your poems, how many you can send at one time, and whether to send them electronically or through the mail.
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Type your poem, using a traditional font, such as Times New Roman. Use a standard font size too, such as 12.
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Write the title of the poem and your name near the top of the page.
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Indent the poem any way you please. Poetry often has unique indentions and formatting, but make sure it is readable.
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Create a header for each page of your poem that includes the poem's name, your name and contact information, such as phone number and email address.
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Write a cover letter that includes your contact information -- name, mailing address, phone number and email address -- and a brief bio that mentions previous publications and awards. Don't describe the poems you're submitting, but instead include information relevant to your career as a poet.
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Submit the poems through the publication's preferred method, whether mail or online. If submitting through mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. This is how they mail back rejection or acceptance letters.
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Tips & Warnings
Read your work backwards while proofing. This makes the material unfamiliar and removes the ability of your brain to gloss over errors because of context or familiarity.
Never send your originals. They could get lost or ruined anywhere along the way.
Don't use colored, decorated, onion skin, or erasable bond paper. Plain really is best in this case.
Do NOT include copyright symbols or information anywhere on your work. You hold the copyright regardless of this being listed, and publishers will readily identify you as an amateur if you do this.
