Publishing Your Poems

You've finished your poem. Now what? Submitting is part of being a poet. Know the venues: literary journals (Ploughshares, The Missouri Review), contests, online platforms, anthologies.

Follow submission guidelines exactly. They matter. Know what each journal publishes. Research editors. Personalize cover letters. Expect rejection. Many submissions, few acceptances. That's the game. Keep sending. Keep writing.

Build your publication record. Start small. Work toward larger venues. Eventually, a chapbook, then a full collection. This takes years. Writers who persist get published. Rejection isn't personal; it's business. One editor's pass is another's perfect fit. Keep submitting.