submission guidelines
:: submissions are now open ::
Poetry, Essays, Interviews
We are now accepting submissions for an issue focusing on Prime Time Poetry.
Prime Time Poetry, like that sweet spot of the television lineup, seeks to connect with its audience, addressing the concerns of ordinary people in the clearest language possible. In some circles this might be called “accessible” poetry, but, to quote Claudia Emerson: “If we care about readers and all (and not just those in the academy), we have to give them a way into the poem.” This is not to say that we are looking for simple poems; in fact, Emerson goes on to say, “[W]e need to remember that clarity does not preclude depth. If our language is precise, our imagery clear, our metaphors original and well crafted, then we can indeed create poems that will reward a listener on being heard for the first time and also replay the astute close reader.”
We want work that is clear but not simple-minded, that is complex but not indecipherable, that sings, that stands up, that rings true. But, it must work equally as well on the page as on the stage; that is to say, we want the best work out there that represents the various poetries that make up what we are referring to as Prime Time Poetry. Like the proposed anthology by the same name, we are not looking for one type of poetry, but rather poetry drawn from any number of different poetry communities that have in common a desire to connect with, rather than shut out, potential audiences. Some examples: Charles Harper Webb’s Stand Up Poetry; David Kirby & Barbara Hamby’s Ultra-Talk; R.S. Gwynn’s & Kevin Walzer's Expansive Poetry; The Poets Laureate, who “serve as the nation's official lightning rod for the poetic impulse of Americans”; Performance & Slam Poetry; and Cowboy Poetry.
If the kind of work that you are doing might fit roughly into one of the above categories, send it on. If you have mp3s and/or videos of you performing your work, include those, too, please.
We are also interested in relevant interviews & essays. Book review proposals or books for review should be sent to:
Tom C. Hunley / Department of English /
Western Kentucky University / 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11086 /
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1086.
To submit scroll down to the end of this page and:
-- upload ONE Word or RTF document containing a brief cover letter with bio and no more than five poems, one interview, or one essay.
-- use your own name, last name first (i.e. Stevens Wallace), as the document title. This will expedite the selections process.
-- after your document has been uploaded please send a blank e-mail to editor (at) poemeleon (dot) org. Do NOT use the contact link in the sidebar, otherwise you risk having us lose your submission. DO include your name in the subject line of the e-mail, i.e. Submission: Wallace Stevens, so that we can contact you once we have made our decision.
General guidelines:
Simultaneous submissions are fine as long as we are notified promptly when work is accepted elsewhere.
Previously published is also fine, as long as it was in print, not online, and as long as you as the author retain all copyright. Because we strive to be the first online publisher of your poem, if it has appeared anywhere that is publicly accessible on the web (including on your blog) then it is considered previously published. Please feel free to contact us and we will provide clarification on a case by case basis.
We acquire one-time, non-exclusive rights to publish your work, at which time all rights revert back to you as the author. If we should ever decide to create a print anthology and would like to include your work, we will contact you.
Please note that we are a non-paying market.
We do not at this time accept snail mail submissions.
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Deadline for this issue is July 31, 2010.
The launch date for this issue is October 2010.
Please allow 1 - 4 months from the close of submissions for a response.
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We are a proud member of the 
Poemeleon is listed as one of the "Top 25 Most Approachable Poetry Markets" on Duotrope's Digest, a website which provides free writers' resources including market listings, a submissions tracker, and a record of response times.
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BEFORE PROCEDING PLEASE BE SURE YOU HAVE FOLLOWED ALL GUIDELINES AS SET FORTH ABOVE. THIS PROCEDURE IS MEANT TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS, NOT COMPLICATE IT. IF YOU RUN INTO PROBLEMS OR HAVE QUESTIONS/COMMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT US. ( THE CONTACT FORM )
SUBMISSIONS THAT DO NOT ADHERE TO GUIDELINES MAY BE IGNORED.