Guide: How to Use Poetry Foundation (and nearby markets) to Get Published & Earn as a Poet

Section 1 · What the Poetry Foundation / Poetry Magazine are

What you need to know (short version)

The Poetry Foundation runs PoetryFoundation.org and publishes the long-standing print and digital journal Poetry (often written in uppercase, POETRY). The site contains thousands of poems, essays, interviews, and the magazine’s submission and subscription information. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Why it matters: getting a poem into Poetry is a major credential — it can raise your profile, lead to readings, and open doors to grants and book offers. The magazine also runs open calls (through Submittable) for many categories (text poems, visual poems, translations, video) during specific reading windows. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Section 2 · How submissions actually work (Submittable & policies)

Open windows, simultaneous subs, response times, and pay

The magazine uses Submittable for submissions. During open reading periods (commonly September 15–June 15 for some categories) you can upload your poem(s) directly to a listed call. The Submittable listings include precise instructions (how many poems, page limits, file types). Always use the Submittable link on the Poetry Foundation site so you are in the correct category. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Important submission rules often include:

• Submit only previously unpublished work (work on social media counts as published for many editors).
• Submit one submission per category at a time; if you submit twice in the same category before hearing back, later submissions may be archived unread. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Poetry’s staff reads tens of thousands of submissions; response times can be long (their Submittable pages mention up to ~eight months in some listings). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Payment: Poetry states that poets compensated for published poems are paid per published line with a minimum honorarium (the Submittable listing for visual poems and the general Poetry Submittable manager show a $10/line rate and a minimum per-poem honorarium). Always confirm the exact rate on the Submittable call you use. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Section 3 · How to prepare your poems (formatting & selection)

Concrete steps so your submission isn’t knocked out for avoidable reasons

Editors reject many submissions by form (not quality) — wrong file type, missing translation, formatting hidden in an image, or sending previously published work. Here’s a checklist that removes those basic barriers.

Section 4 · Submission SOP: step-by-step for beginners

From final poem to “Send” — a simple reproducible routine

Follow this small SOP every time you prepare to submit — it reduces errors and helps you keep an accurate record of where your poems are.

Section 5 · How poets actually earn money (real routes)

Magazine pay, contests, readings, books, teaching, and more

There’s no single path — professional poets typically combine several income streams. Below are the main, practical ways poets earn money and how to approach each one.

Section 6 · Market list & tracking tools (links you’ll use a lot)

Databases, submission trackers, and trusted lists

Below are the highest-value sites for finding paying markets, tracking submissions, and checking contest legitimacy. Bookmark them and build a small routine for weekly checks.

Section 7 · How to turn publication into income (practical tactics)

Concrete, repeatable actions you can take after an acceptance

An acceptance is not the end — it’s the start of a small promotional and business process. Below are high-ROI steps to convert a poem acceptance into money and opportunities.

Section 8 · Pitch & cover letter templates (copy, paste, adapt)

Short, honest templates for submissions and event pitches

 Hello —
Please find attached three previously unpublished poems for consideration:
“Title A” (1 page), 2) “Title B” (1 page), 3) “Title C” (2 pages).


Bio: [20–30 words — your current project, one credit]
Thank you for your time and for reading.
Best,
 [Your Name]
 

 Hello [Curator Name],
My name is [Your Name]. I’m an author and poet recently published in [Magazine — link]. I offer a 45–60 minute reading (20–30 minute reading + Q&A) and an optional 60–90 minute practical workshop on [topic: ekphrastic poems / lyric essay craft / writing prompt workshop].
I can travel [area] / run remotely via Zoom. Fee: [state your range] + travel.
Available dates: [list].
Thank you for considering — I can send a speaker one-sheet and sample audio.
Best,
 [Your Name]
 

Section 9 · Final checklist, ethics, & FAQs

Before you click SUBMIT — the final items to check

Section 10 · Long resource list (links you’ll need)

Open these in separate tabs — your core market & pay-finding toolkit