If you’re looking to publish your poems in a place that values artistic integrity, experimentation, and poetic craft, Poetry Magazine is the platform to aim for.

It is one of the oldest, most respected, and influential poetry journals in the world.

With over a century of history, it has published some of the most iconic voices in literature — and it’s still going strong.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to get published in Poetry Magazine, what kinds of work they accept, how much they pay, and why it’s worth your time.

Let’s get started. 

What is Poetry Magazine?

Founded in 1912 by Harriet Monroe in Chicago, Poetry is the oldest monthly journal devoted to verse in the English-speaking world.

From its inception, the magazine has followed an “Open Door” policy — committed to printing the best poetry being written today, in any form, genre, or voice.

In its inaugural issue, Monroe described her hope that poetry might have a dedicated space of its own — one where voices could find each other and be heard:

“Every sport, every little industry requires its own corner, its own voice, that it may find its friends, greet them, welcome them.”

That same spirit still guides Poetry more than a century later.

Over the decades, it has published groundbreaking work by:

• T.S. Eliot
• Langston Hughes
• Robert Frost
• Sylvia Plath
• Marianne Moore

Today, Poetry continues to present a dynamic mix of renowned poets and bold new voices from around the world.

Published by the Poetry Foundation, an independent nonprofit literary organization, the magazine forms part of a larger mission to amplify poetry’s role in culture and daily life.

It remains unaffiliated with any institution or school of thought — focused only on excellence, diversity, and innovation in the art of poetry.

What kind of content do they accept?

Poetry Magazine accepts a wide range of work and encourages submissions in every style, genre, or approach.

Whether your voice is experimental or traditional, minimalist or lyrical, politically charged or quietly reflective — there’s room for it here.

They publish:

• Text poems
• Visual poems
• Audio and video poems
• Prose related to poets and poetry, including essays, reflections, and literary reportage
• Roundtable discussions and book reviews

Their prose section is open to more personal and unconventional explorations — not academic criticism. Past topics have ranged from political identity and disability, to craft lineage and poetic process.

They’re especially interested in work that highlights poetry’s cultural impact, sheds light on overlooked voices, and builds conversation across differences.

In short: if your work speaks to poetry’s relevance and power, there’s a place for it here.

What are their writing guidelines?

Poetry Magazine considers only previously unpublished work.
Anything posted online — including on social media — counts as published.

For poems:

• Submit up to 4 poems, or up to 10 pages total
• Include all poems in a single document

For video poems:

• Submit up to 4 videos
• Include written versions of each poem

For essays:

• 1,500 to 2,500 words (max 10 pages)
• If longer, mention that in your cover letter

For book reviews:

• 1,200 to 1,800 words (max 7 pages)

If you’re submitting work that involves collaboration (e.g. a co-written poem or a video with a performer), include the name and short bio of all contributors.

Work that’s inclusive, bold, and fresh will stand out — regardless of its form.

Who can write for them?

Anyone can submit — 
regardless of where you’re from or whether you’ve been published before.

• Writers of all experience levels are welcome
• You can submit from anywhere in the world
• Poems in any language are accepted, as long as you provide an English translation of the non-English portions

This translation is for accessibility purposes only and does not reflect a preference for English.
The goal is to ensure the editorial team can fairly consider all submissions.

How much do they pay?

Poetry Magazine offers generous compensation for all accepted work.

Here’s how much you can expect:

• Text poems: $10 per line, with a minimum of $400 per poem
• Visual poems: $400 per poem
• Video poems: $600 per poem
• Prose (including essays and reviews): $250 per published page

Payments are made via ACH, wire transfer, check, or JPay.

They acquire first serial rights and non-exclusive reprint rights, meaning you retain the right to republish your work elsewhere after it has appeared in Poetry.

Note:
You do not get paid just for submitting.
You get paid if your piece is accepted and published.

Why should I write for them?

Publishing in Poetry Magazine is more than just a paycheck or a line in your portfolio.
It is a rare opportunity to place your work at the heart of the poetic tradition — and at the forefront of its future.

For over a hundred years, this journal has been the place where poetic careers begin.
Where the work of new voices finds resonance alongside giants of literature.

When your poem appears in Poetry, you’re not just getting published — you’re becoming part of a living archive, a continuous and evolving conversation about what poetry is and what it can be.

Your work will be read by a wide, engaged, and serious readership — on the page, online, and beyond.
It will receive the editorial care and attention it deserves.

And it will carry the weight of the magazine’s reputation, opening new doors and possibilities for your writing life.

Publishing here means your voice has been recognized for its strength, clarity, originality, and resonance.

And that matters.

How do I get started?

Begin by reading recent issues.
This helps you get a feel for what they publish and how your own voice might enter the conversation.

You can explore their full archive for free on their website, or subscribe for print and digital editions.

To submit:

• Use their Submittable page
• Only one submission per category at a time
• If you prefer mail, send your submission to the address below. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope

Poetry Magazine
61 W. Superior St
Chicago, IL 60654

Submission window:

• Open year-round, except closed annually from June 15 to September 15
• Response time can take up to 8 months due to high volume (150,000+ submissions per year)

Be patient — 
every submission is read by their small editorial team.

Before you submit:
Paid writing opportunities like these are limited — and they exist because editors are still willing to accept unsolicited submissions from writers around the world. To help keep these opportunities open, don’t submit AI-generated content or low-effort work clearly intended as spam. It wastes the editors’ time and takes away chances from real writers who care about the craft. Respect the opportunity. Respect the process. And respect the people reading your work.

Ready to submit your poem?
Head over to their website to get started.

WRITE FOR POETRY ➤

Final thoughts

Publishing in Poetry isn’t easy —
but it’s deeply worthwhile.

This is a journal with a long memory and a sharp eye.
It prizes originality, precision, and emotional truth.

And while competition is fierce, the reward is more than just a paycheck or a publication credit.

It’s about legacy.
It’s about joining a tradition of poets who have helped shape the literary conversation for more than a century — while also expanding that conversation for the next generation.

If you’re serious about your craft, if you have something urgent and honest to say, and if you’re willing to wait patiently for the right moment to be heard — then this is the place to submit.

Read widely.
Write well.
And submit only when your work feels finished — 
because this magazine deserves your best.

It might take months to hear back.
It might take years to get in.
But if you do, you’ll be part of something that matters.

And that’s worth striving for.

Looking for more sites that pay you to write?

Here’s a curated list of sites that pay writers.

You’ll find magazines, websites, and platforms in all kinds of niches, from poetry, fiction, and greeting cards to travel, lifestyle, parenting, and more.

Each site includes everything you need to know — from the type of content they’re looking for, to how much they pay, to how to submit your work — so you can confidently land your next paid writing gig.

SEE THE FULL LIST ➤