You can always call the poem “Untitled” if you’d prefer not to give a specific title. Do not leave the title blank, however, as publishers may not be interested in a poem that’s harder to promote.
You can also ask a friend or family member to read over the poem to check for any problems. If issues are found, make changes so the poem is error-free.
Most publications on their website’s submissions page will list guidelines governing font size and style. Be sure to follow these guidelines to increase your chances of getting published.
You can also search online or in your local newspaper for poetry publications based in your region.
Ask yourself, “Will my poem fit with the style and substance of this publication? Is my poem compatible with the type of writing I see here?” (This is not to suggest that you should tailor your work to conform to that of other people. You are, however, looking for a publication that would be comfortable accepting your poetry. ) You may need to read several different publications to try to find one that seems like a good home for your work. Take your time and read several different publications until you find a few that suit your work.
For example, you may write, “Dear Gabriel Blackwell” if that is the poetry editor’s name. You may write, “Dear Poetry Foundation” or “Dear Poetry Division” if you cannot find the poetry editor’s name. Include a short paragraph where you mention your submission and any publications that have accepted your work or awards you have received for your writing. Do not ask for feedback or comments on your poem in the cover letter. Avoid trying to summarize the poem or explain it. End the letter with “Sincerely” and your name. For example, you may write, “Please find attached my poem, ‘September,’ for your consideration. My work has appeared in Black Diamond Journal and Poetry Online. I have received a Stegner Fellowship and was a finalist for the 2017 Poetry Press Prize. ”
For example, you may write, “Fiona Fields’s work has appeared in Black Diamond Journal, Poetry Online, and other publications. She earned her MFA from CalArts (California Institute of the Arts). She currently lives in Los Angeles. ”
You can usually submit more than one poem at a time. Most publications will allow you to submit up to five pages of poetry in a single submission. Some publications charge a small “reading fee” for submitting to them, usually between $3 and $5. This reading fee helps the publication to pay their copyreaders and editors. In some cases you may need to pay more than $5 to submit to the publication. Decide whether you want to pay that much just to submit your work for consideration.
Include a self-addressed business envelope with a stamp so the publisher can easily reply to you. If you would like your work returned to you, include another 8. 5” by 11” envelope, self-addressed with a stamp.
You can follow your favorite publications online through social media or by subscribing to them. Watch for any poetry contests advertised in the publication. Some contests will be themed or have a prompt for poets to respond to. There are sometimes guest judges, often high-profile poets or writers, who pick the best submissions. The submission fee for poetry contests will likely exceed the fee for regular submissions. Contest fees might run between $10 and $30.
Some publications will allow you to make simultaneous submissions, where you submit the same poem to more than one publication at once. If your poem gets accepted by one publication, you should let the other publication(s) know and withdraw your poem from their consideration.
Keep in mind that if you publish a poem on social media, you may not be able to submit it later to literary journals or magazines for publication.
Encourage your readers to comment on your poetry. Respond to reader comments so your readers know you appreciate their presence on your site and that they took the time to read your work.
This is a good option if you’ve had a hard time finding a publisher for your poems and want to try doing it yourself.
