The other day I was looking up publications to submit to. Sometimes I get in a poetry rut and get stuck submitting to the same (awesome) journals, but like anyone who has been in the field for awhile I want something new, something fresh. Enter Google. I searched “places to submit poetry.” And became infuriated by the results.
There are multiple websites on “Where to Submit Your Poetry” that appeared to be geared to new or emerging poets.
The list of recommended journals included:
The New Yorker (0% acceptance rate on Duotrope)
Ploughshares (.4% acceptance rate on Duotrope)
Poetry Magazine (1.5 % acceptance rate on Duotrope)
and more extremely competitive journals
However, what the article didn’t say and what beginning poets might not realize is that poets who are published in these journals usually don’t get in their first or even eleventh try. Some (at least the ones I have talked to) have submitted for 10 plus years. I know a very well and respected poet with many books, and a drool-worthy career, who just made it into the New Yorker after writing for 30 years. 30 years!
So it is important to remember that 1) Publishing is a long game and 2) Where you submit your work should be tailored to many different things: your dreams, your experience, and how badly you want a win. You must know the odds.
Have I submitted to the New Yorker at least 10 times? Did I get in? Definitely not. But I didn’t let it crush me, of course not! I knew my odds.
So if you want a poetry win, or to increase your poetry chances, you need to find a journal where you 1) know your odds) 2) feel like you have a shot.
Let’s be clear, I am NOT saying do not submit to your dream journal. Submit away! I do. And nothing is going to stop me. But please don’t let it crush your poetry dream, if they say no. Once. Twice. Even eight Times. I have so many white whales that I refuse to stop chasing. Like I said, looooooooong game.
Of course submitting to more approachable journals (Duotrope has a wonderful list) along with the fastest, slowest and most challenging journals is not a guarantee that your work will get accepted. Also don’t let it crush your poetry dream if a non-dream journal, one on the approachable list, says no. You are learning, you are getting your work out there. It is a game, just like anything else you need to learn some strategy and skills to improve your approach.
There is no magical poetry pill to get an automatic yes, but if you are looking for that “W” applying strategy to take your best shot makes a world of difference.
Before we dive into helpful tips, it's important to know what to expect.
WHAT TO EXPECT
1.Expect Some “Nos”
Rejection happens. If you consider it part of the process, it will be an easier pill to swallow. I know for poets who aim for 100 rejections, because the more “nos” you collect there are bound to be some “yeses” mixed in.
2.Expect to Wait
I know the feeling. You write a poem, or maybe a book you love, and you want the world to see it, the editors to swoon, by 6 months later it’s already been rejected twice or is not even “in-progress” yet. Publishing is often about the long game. The averages book takes 3 years to get accepted. When my book was picked up, I then rewrote half of it. It all takes time. Expect it to be a few months to sometimes a few years to get a yes on that poem you love.
3. Expect a Numbers Game
As mentioned before, it’s a numbers game. Putting all your eggs in one basket makes for a very precious basket. So diversify. Spread out your submissions to as many journals with a variety of acceptance rates as possible.Yes submit to those dreamy ones, but also a few you feel you feel could reply with some good news.
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR ODDS
Do Your Research (or let Duortrope do it)
Being informed matters. Having realistic expectations (while dreaming wildly) matters. Whenever I submit, I look at Duotrope to see the projected acceptance rate, wait time, and more. I have heard poets complain that Duotrope is not 100% accurate. I’m sure they’re right, but it’s definitely more accurate than knowing nothing at all.
Percentages Help
I’ve always been interested in the odds. You know the odds you can play the game better. I want to know if I have a 75% chance of getting into a journal or a 2%. I don’t mean to sound like an ad for Duotrope (even though it’s only $5 a month and so helpful) but I think it helps you establish clear expectations and again a way to not to be precious with your work.
Three approachable journals are:
The Daily Drunk (59% acceptance rate)
Instant Noddles (51% acceptance rate)
Grand Little Things (40% acceptance rate).
Automate (As Much as Your Can)
Batch your work. Have 5 poems you want to get out. Send those five poems (and the same document to multiple journals). Put your cover letter in Submittable, so it pre-populates. Most cover letters say the same things anyway. 1) Please consider the following poems 2) Here’s my bio. The fact that you want them to consider the poems will never change, neither will your bio. However, always be sure to update the name of the poems and journal you are submitting to.
Make it a Habit
Pair submission with something you do everyday to make it a habit. Do something James Clear of Atomic Habit calls “habit stacking.” For example, every day after I make my morning coffee (something I do every day) I will submit to one journal. If you make submission part of your day, especially every day, three-months from now, you are bound to see some results. Remember 100 rejections per year usually yields some yeses.
It’s important to fall in love with the process, not the product. See submissions and the strategies above of a way of knowing the industry and your work better. Life is about finding your people, and using these tips, you will (hopefully) find the right home for those poems (eventually).
Kelly Grace Thomas is a self-taught award-winning poet, editor, educator and poetry coach. Kelly is the winner of the 2020 Jane Underwood Poetry Prize and 2017 Neil Postman Award for Metaphor from Rattle, 2018 finalist for the Rita Dove Poetry Award and multiple pushcart prize nominee. Her first full-length collection, Boat Burned, released with YesYes Books in January 2020. Kelly’s poems have appeared or are forthcoming in: Best New Poets 2019, Los Angeles Review, Redivider, Muzzle, Sixth Finch and more. Kelly is the Director of Education for Get Lit and the co-author of Words Ignite. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and daughter. www.kellygracethomas.com