MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 78: Onlypoems.net
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “onlypoems.net” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to onlypoems.net.
You will learn what onlypoems.net wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
How to Write, Submit, and Earn from ONLY POEMS — A Beginner’s Guide
This guide gives a practical, step-by-step plan so a beginner poet can prepare strong submissions, use ONLY POEMS’ official submission routes, and turn publication credits into paid opportunities. It includes formatting templates, sample cover letters, and direct links to the submission pages, the member portal, contest pages, and editorial resources.
Use this as a checklist + SOP (standard operating procedure): read the site pages linked below, prepare samples, and then submit with confidence.
Section 1 · What ONLY POEMS publishes
Quick overview: voices, formats, and editorial focus
ONLY POEMS is a poetry magazine and online editorial project that publishes single poems, short collections such as “Poet of the Week” slots, monthly themed pieces (Poem of the Month), contests, and short-form daily poems via its daily project. The editorial mix includes essays on craft, interviews, reading lists, and workshop announcements. Editors often look for strong voice, craft, and a clear artistic decision in each piece.
The site organizes poetry by categories like Poem of the Month, Poet of the Week, Short Poems, themed contests, and occasional fellowships. Use the site’s navigation to read example poems and editorial notes to learn what the editors highlight. Reading their recent published poems will quickly reveal the tone and styles they favor.
Editors prioritize: craft (line-level control), originality of image/phrase, clarity of voice, and work where each poem does something distinct. They value work that rewards close reading and that can be accompanied by a brief contributor’s note or editorial comment.
Read a handful of recent Poem of the Month winners, Poet of the Week features, and the Latest essays. Notice length, the presence of an editor’s note, and whether the poem appears standalone or as part of a short sequence.
Section 2 · Where & how to submit (direct links)
Use the correct submission avenue — don’t guess
ONLY POEMS uses multiple submission routes: a public “Submit” page (their site), Submittable pages for contests, and a Member Submission Portal form (their internal form for some categories). Pick the correct route for the category you want. Below are the most important links (open them in new tabs and read the specific guidelines).
| What | Why use it | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Official Submit page | Primary landing with category descriptions, how to format, and policy notes | onlypoems.com/submit |
| Submittable portal | Used for contest entries and some paid calls (check which contest uses Submittable) | onlypoems.submittable.com |
| Member submission portal (form) | Free member submissions for Poet of the Week category and similar slots | forms.onlypoems.net/free-submission-portal |
| Poem of the Month page | Official rules, monthly themes, and payment for winners | onlypoems.net/poem-of-the-month |
| Contests & prizes | Full contest rules, prize periods, and past winners | onlypoems.net/contests |
| Latest & Updates | Announcements about submission windows and site changes | onlypoems.net/updates |
Do not send poems by email unless the site specifically requests that channel. Follow the specific submission instructions on the page for your category. If a category says “Submittable”, go to the Submittable link and submit there. If the category uses the member portal, use that form. This avoids lost or misdirected submissions.
Section 3 · Categories & money
What categories pay, approximate rates, and response windows
ONLY POEMS offers several categories that can include payment (fees vary and may be updated by the editors). Public page notes and contest announcements have listed approximate contributor payments. Below are the common categories and what to expect.
| Category | Typical payment (reported) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Poet of the Week | Reported contributor payments (e.g. a flat fee noted publicly; amounts have varied) | Often “fast response” option: select pay category if you need quicker reply. Check the submit page. |
| Poem of the Month | Publicly noted: approx. $33 for the winning poem (confirm current amount on the contest page) | Themed monthly contest; winners get an editorial note and artwork. Submission window usually early month. |
| Short Poems / Daily pieces | Small fees reported (e.g. $22) for selected short pieces | Often published via the daily/mini project — check guidelines for length and rules. |
These amounts come from the site’s public submission pages and contest pages. Editors may update fees and terms at any time — always confirm payment and rights in the submission instructions or any editor email you receive.
Response times vary by category. For Poem of the Month and short poem contests the site often promises responses within a few weeks to a few months. For contests, read the contest page and Submittable listing for precise timelines. Plan submissions accordingly.
Section 4 · Preparing your poems
How to edit, select, and prepare files that stand out
Good poem preparation is 60% of successful submissions. Editors read many poems quickly; a few structural and formatting choices make it easy for them to appreciate your work. Below is a practical editing checklist and a short routine to level up your submission quality.
Line-level clarity
Read each line aloud. Remove duplicated signposts, tighten imagery, and make sure every line earns its place. If a line doesn’t add sound, sense, or image, consider cutting or rewriting it.
Trim for focus
Editors appreciate poems that do one thing beautifully. If you have a long sequence, ensure the sequence coheres; for single poems, keep the energy and attention tight.
Format consistently
Use standard fonts and simple spacing. When you submit text, most systems prefer plain text (no fancy formatting) or a PDF/doc if the guidelines allow. Avoid weird fonts or complex layout unless the piece is visual/experimental and the submission instructions accept attachments.
Peer feedback
If possible, trade poems with a poet friend or a workshop group. Take at least one external revision round. Editors respond well to writing that has already been tested in a workshop or edited thoughtfully.
Use a clear file name (e.g., Lastname_Firstname_PoemTitle.txt). Put poem title(s) at the top of the submission document, followed by the body. If you submit multiple poems in one submission, separate them with a blank line and label each poem (“Poem 1 — Title”).
Section 5 · Formatting + a sample cover letter
How to format your submission and what to write in your cover note
Many editors read the cover note first, so make it brief and professional. For submissions that ask for a cover letter or bio, include exactly what’s requested: a short bio (2–3 lines), a single-sentence summary of your submission (optional), and any prior publications (if relevant).
Subject: Submission — Poem of the Month — “The Long Blue Line”
Cover note:
Dear ONLY POEMS editors — please find attached my poem “The Long Blue Line” for the
Poem of the Month theme “Loss“. I am [Your Name], a poet living in [City]. My work has
appeared in [Journal A, Journal B] (if applicable). Thank you for reading — I appreciate your time.
Best —
[Your Name]
[Short 3-line bio: “They are a poet and teacher based in X. MFA [if relevant].”]
If the guidelines ask for simultaneous submission or disallow simultaneous submission, follow that instruction exactly. Many sites allow simultaneous submissions but ask you to withdraw quickly if your poem is accepted elsewhere.
Section 6 · How to use Submittable & the member portal
Step-by-step: Submittable, the member form, and confirmation
Submittable is a common submission manager. If a contest or call uses it, the Submittable page will have a clear form: upload your file(s), add a cover letter text box, and fill in metadata (name, email, bio).
- Create a Submittable account if needed (free).
- Choose the correct call and category (e.g., Poem of the Month).
- Attach files: plain text or PDF as per guidelines.
- Fill cover note and check simultaneous-submission policy.
- Pay any required fee (if the call has a fee) and confirm the receipt email.
Some categories use a direct member form (for example, the free submission portal for Poet of the Week). This form typically asks for contact details, a short bio, and pasted poem text. Use the portal link on the site and follow the field instructions carefully.
Section 7 · Contests, deadlines & strategy
When to enter contests and how to stack your submissions strategically
ONLY POEMS runs monthly contests (Poem of the Month) and seasonal contests/fellowships. Use the contest pages and “Updates” feed to learn windows, themes, and rules. If a contest has a fee, evaluate the expected value and whether a paid entry is worth it for your work and career goals.
Poem of the Month: usually open the first seven days of each month (check the current year’s calendar on the Poem of the Month page). Contests like the Leonard Cohen Poetry Prize or fellowships run on specific annual windows — mark your calendar and prepare at least 1–2 weeks in advance.
- Polish 3–6 poems and rotate them across categories where allowed.
- Enter Poem of the Month for themed poems — align your work with the theme instead of shoehorning a poem.
- Use the free member portal for Poet of the Week to get editorial visibility without fees.
- Keep your best poem for a targeted contest that matches its strengths.
Section 8 · Turn publications into earnings
How a publication can lead to income
Getting published is both direct income (fees for accepted pieces) and indirect income (visibility, readings, book sales, commissions, workshops). Below are ways to convert a publication into longer-term earnings.
After publication, announce the piece on social media, your mailing list, and create a short reading video. Book local or virtual readings, and use the published credit in introductions to generate paid performance opportunities.
Use publication clips in pitches for paid workshops, chapbook submissions, or freelance editing. A published poem increases credibility when you market a chapbook or a poetry course.
Section 9 · Checklist & templates
Practical checklist you can copy and paste
Create a spreadsheet with columns: Date submitted | Title | Category | Submission link | Method (Submittable / Portal) | Fee paid | Response date | Outcome | Notes. This helps you manage follow-ups and plan next actions.