Frequently asked questions

Towards Publication: general guidelines

It is important to know that you are not alone. Thousands of people write poetry and a high percentage of those people want to be published. Although not completely unheard of, it is very rare for a poet to be published who has not already had single poems published in accredited poetry magazines or some success in reputable competitions.

It is equally important to know that publishing companies devote a tiny percentage of their total budget to poetry and small presses receive more poetry than they know what to do with. Bookshops, in turn, do not stock vast numbers of poetry books from mainstream publishers and very, very few from small presses. The reason for this is that sales of poetry books, Heaney and Hughes apart, are tiny. And if you think about it, when is the last time you bought a poetry book?

Writing is a solitary pursuit and it is not always easy for you or your friends and family to be objective about your writing. So it is very important that as a writer of poetry you are also a reader of poetry. Although in the past libraries had very poor poetry sections this is slowly changing and you can always request a specific book. Many people find it useful to attend workshops.

Should you want more in-depth information, reading lists, workshop contacts, etc. then join the Poetry Society.

RETURN TO TOP

How do I get my poems published?

 Step 1 - submit poems to magazines and enter reputable poetry competitions.
Step 2 - after you have had poems accepted in magazines, contact small presses and poetry publishers.

The best source of information about small presses is The Small Press Guide (Writers Bookshop, published annually).  Two writers' guides which give lists of publishers and magazines as well as advice about preparing for publication are:

  • Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (London: A & C Black, published annually) In particular, see John Whitworth's "Poetry into print" section.
  • The Writer's Handbook (London: Macmillan, published annually)

There are also numerous books on the subject such as How to Publish Your Poetry by Peter Finch and Writing Poetry by John Whitworth.

RETURN TO TOP

How do I submit my poems to Poetry Review?

If you are submitting work to be considered for Poetry Review, you should send it to the attention of Poetry Review at 22 Betterton Street, London, WC2H 9BX; your poems must be typed on one side of A4 paper and you must include an SAE to receive a reply.  Full submission guidelines are available here. 

Members of the Poetry Society have the opportunity to have their poems considered for publication in Poetry News; check your latest issue for the current theme and details of how to submit.

RETURN TO TOP

How can I get critical assessment of my work?

Through the Poetry Society's Poetry Prescription service or 1-to-1 advice with Poetry Surgeries at the Poetry Cafe. We also recommend the Poetry School in London - PoetrySchl@aol.com or www.poetryschool.co.uk

RETURN TO TOP

Copyright & legal matters - who should I ask?

 The Poetry Society's Poetry Directory for members answers common questions.

The Society of Authors website is good and has an FAQ page: http://www.societyofauthors.org/faqs.htm

If you are looking for details of copyright holders for specific poets, we recommend the WATCH database:
http://tyler.hrc.utexas.edu/index.cfm

Free copies of Joint Guidelines on Copyright and Academic Research can be downloaded from the British Academy website at www.britac.ac.uk/reports/copyright-guidelines

RETURN TO TOP

Can you direct me to some good poetry magazines?

  • The Small Press Guide (Writers Bookshop)
  • You may also send an sae to the Poetry Library (Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX) and they will provide a list.
  • Links to UK poetry magazines on www.bath.ac.uk/~exxdgdc/lynx/lynx17.html
  • Links at Poetry Kit website (www.poetrykit.org)

RETURN TO TOP

How do I get information on poetry publishers?

  • Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (London: A & C Black)
  • You may also send an sae to the Poetry Library (Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX) and they will provide a list.
  • The Booktrust website has an A-Z list of UK book publishers www.booktrust.org.uk
  • Many of the major poetry publishers have websites, which are listed on our Forthcoming Publications page

RETURN TO TOP

How do I contact a poet?

The Poetry Society has a database of poets; we do not give out personal information, but are happy to forward on any correspondence. Email info AT poetrysociety.org.uk or send (with proper postage to forward) to Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX.
Check to see if the poet is listed on the NAWE database www.nawe.co.uk (click on Directory of Writers link)
Also check the Society of Authors database www.writers.org.uk/society

RETURN TO TOP

What bookshops do you recommend for poetry?

The Poetry Society's Poetry Directory for members lists bookshops with strong poetry sections.
You may also send an sae to the Poetry Library (Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX) and they will provide a list.
Don't forget to check your telephone directory for local bookshops!

RETURN TO TOP

What competitions do you recommend?

Members can request an up-to-date list of competitions from the Poetry Society; otherwise send an sae to the Poetry Library (Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX) and they will provide a list.
For questions about 'dodgy' poetry competitions, we recommend the site www.winningwriters.com.

RETURN TO TOP

How do I find out about Poetry Prizes?

The Booktrust website has an A-Z list of literary prizes and book awards - includes info on the T.S. Eliot, Whitbread and Forward Poetry Prizes www.booktrust.org.uk

RETURN TO TOP

Where do I find out about grants & funding?

Regional Arts Boards have lots of advice (www.arts.org.uk).
See also the Society of Authors www.societyofauthors.org.

RETURN TO TOP

Any poetry on audio suggestions?

RETURN TO TOP

How do I find an agent?

Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (London: A & C Black) has a section on literary agents.
Please note the Society of Authors comment on their website: "It is sometimes said that it can be harder to get an agent than a publisher... Very few agents take on academic, technical, professional or educational works, poetry, memoirs or short stories. Even fiction may not be attractive to an agent unless your first novel sold reasonably well and you can add the lure of enticing titles to come. Alas, agents are particularly hesitant about taking on authors writing in their retirement when the chances of building up a lasting full-time career are reduced..."

RETURN TO TOP

Can you tell me about workshops & courses?

  • The Poetry Society's Poetry Directory for members lists workshops and courses.
  • You may also send an sae to the Poetry Library (Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX) and they will provide a list for Greater London.
  • The Poetry School runs courses: www.poetryschool.co.uk
  • Also try the excellent website Poetry Kit: www.poetrykit.org/wkshops.htm
  • Ask at your Local Adult Education Centre or local library.

RETURN TO TOP

Is there anything available about special interest groups?

Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (London: A & C Black) contains a section of societies, organisations and clubs. It lists, amongst others, The Browning Society and the Kent and Sussex Poetry Society.
See also the Alliance of Literary Societies, website: www.sndc.demon.co.uk

RETURN TO TOP

'Vanity' presses & publishing - what's it all about?

The Poetry Society's Poetry Directory for members discusses this.
Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (London: A & C Black) has a section called 'Vanity Publishing'.
There seems to be greater awareness of scams, recently. Here's a website with a section called 'Scam Busting': www.winningwriters.com  

RETURN TO TOP 

How do I find out about places to perform?

Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (London: A & C Black) - the Poetry Organisations section has a brief list of venues.
See also your local listings, Time Out, Hot Tickets, etc. - by reading these regularly, you can get a good sense of the regular poetry performance venues.

RETURN TO TOP

Who do I contact at the Poetry Society?

For specific enquiries to a particular department:

Education - education AT poetrysociety.org.uk
National Poetry Day - npd AT poetrysociety.org.uk
Membership, Subscriptions, Stanzas and Poetry Prescription -  membership AT poetrysociety.org.uk
poetryclass - poetryclass AT poetrysociety.org.uk
Website - webeditor AT poetrysociety.org.uk
Marketing - marketing AT poetrysociety.org.uk
National Poetry Competition - competition AT poetrysociety.org.uk
Young Poets of the Year Award - education AT poetrysociety.org.uk  
Poetry News - publications AT poetrysociety.org.uk
Poetry Café - poetrycafe AT poetrysociety.org.uk
Finance - finance AT poetrysociety.org.uk

See Also:

  • Who we are, what we do
    at The Poetry Society
  • Membership Benefits
    at The Poetry Society - see also Members Page
  • Events in the Poetry Cafe
    A monthly calendar
  • Events at the Poetry Society
    Listing of current events
  • Poetry Prescription programme
    The Poetry Society's critical service
  • Poetry in Schools
    For information about our extensive Education work, including 'poetryclass'
  • Index of poems on this site
    Links to poems from Poetry Review, Members poems, Poetry Places commissioned work, winning poems from the National Poetry Competition, winning poems of the Young Poets of the Year Awards, and audio poems from the Studio Poetry series.
  • Guides to:
    - Regional Arts Online: http://www.arts.org.uk/index.asp
    - Poetry Competitions
  • Links
    Be sure to visit The Poetry Society's Links page, for extensive resources on taking your poetry further.
  • Submitting work to The Poetry Review
    Advice from the editor.
  • And further FAQ 'Literature Frequently Asked Questions' can be found on the Arts Council of England website:
    http://www.arts.org.uk/directory/regions/london/info_
    point/info_sheets/info_sheets.htm