Frontier Poetry: Submission Guide

Frontier Field Notes: A submission guide

 

What tips would you give to writers preparing to submit their work to poetry magazines or contests?

 

• Submit to multiple publications. Casting a wide net allows you to get feedback from multiple sources, and increases your chances of getting published. 
• Take breaks. Submitting is an important, yet occasionally daunting step. Give yourself the grace to step away from submissions if it best serves your mental health and writing journey. Literary magazines will be waiting to read your work with open arms when you’re ready.
• Prepare a cover letter. Most poetry publications will ask for a brief introduction to you and your poetry. Preparing a cover letter in advance can streamline the submission process. If you haven’t already, check out our Cover Letter Resource page here!

• • Consistency. Submitting to 20+ publications in a single setting may work for some, but not all writers. Consider integrating submissions into your writing process in a way that fits your rhythm. For instance, maybe it’s best to submit to 5 publications every few weeks.

• Writing is a communal act. If possible, gather friends and fellow writers. Schedule write-ins, create workshop groups, go on writing retreats with others. The encouragement, feedback, and accountability of a writing community is invaluable.

• Writing is revision. Your first draft is seldom the final one. Give yourself the grace to make mistakes. Errors or missteps in writing are often stepping stones to our strongest poetry.

 

What are you hoping to see more of in submissions at Frontier?

 

I hope to see more experimentation with form in our submissions. Poetry is a genre ripe with choices. One of the most important choices a poet can make is form. How to present their work on the page. At Frontier Poetry, we are explorers of language. Voyaging into poetic risks others shy away from. In that vein, form offers a chance to lean away from convention and venture into the realm of burning haibuns, abecedarians, golden shovels, and more. 

 

Similarly, I’d love to see brevity. I’m not looking for concision for the sake of it, but because it challenges a writer to lean into the specificity of their word choice. It takes control and restraint to not go on for pages (unless, of course, the poem calls for it). What would happen if there was only a page or two at your disposal. How would that frugality of space inform the craft choices poets might make. 

 

What are some common mistakes you frequently encounter in the submission process, and how can writers avoid them? 

 

• Third-person bios: Bios in submissions should always be written in third person. Focus on sharing your name, location, previous publications, and if you’re interested, one unique fact about yourself. While creativity is always welcome, bios are a professional text that offer credibility to your work. 
• Final submissions: Always reread your poetry before finalizing the submission. Typos can distract from your writing, create confusion, and undermine an otherwise strong writing sample. 
• Before submitting: Take time to learn about a magazine’s style and mission. Ask yourself, “Is my work a good fit?” At Frontier, we’re drawn to poems that are experimental, innovative, and unafraid to push the boundaries of language and form.

What advice do you have for poets dealing with rejection?

At Frontier, we read each submission with care because we truly value your time and trust. That said, our editors are human too—life can affect how deeply we engage at times. A rejection isn’t a verdict on your worth or ability as a writer. It’s never easy to open your inbox and see a wave of rejections. But try to remember—multiple declines don’t measure your talent as a poet. More often, they reflect your dedication and persistence in putting your work out into the world.

Rejections can be frustrating, but they’re also part of the writing process. Try to see them as moments for reflection—maybe a rejection can help you refine your voice, or show where your poems are starting to grow in new directions. Let them guide you forward.

 

Is there anything you wish you could tell Frontier submitters?

 

Frontier Poetry offers a limited number of free form submissions on a first come first serve basis for BIPOC writers. Keep an eye on the Frontier calendar– available on our website–to plan ahead and potentially avoid the submission fees.  

 

Our New Voices submission category is also open all year, always free to submit, and we are thrilled to offer significant payment to our partner poets: $50 per poem.