Another Tuesday, another three markets that are reading your poetry. It”s a sad thing, this digging for open markets. So many of the markets that were there just a year or two ago have folded, and I follow a link from one site to another only to find a 404 error page or worse, a “server not found” error. Publishing quality poetry is not an easy thing, and this is evidenced by the number of markets that feel it is necessary to limit their reading of poetry to only a few months a year, or to close their doors to outside submissions entirely. You can make it an easier thing – and encourage these important markets to stay open – by doing a couple of things. First – read the submission guidelines carefully. Take the time to read a sample copy or two of the magazine. BUY a sample copy to read it… and subscribe to one or two of your favorite literary magazines. If we want a market for our poetry, we MUST support it. Lecture done… now, on to the markets!

PRISM international publishes exciting, original material from established and unknown writers in Canada and around the world. They read poetry year round, and they pay in cash for published poetry – $40 per page for poetry, twice what they pay for published prose. Reply times range from 2 to 6 months because of the volume of submissions that they receive each month. All submissions must be via snail mail, but they prefer that you include an email address in your contact information. They also prefer writing that has not been posted on the internet except to writers” discussion boards. For more detailed submission guidelines, see their submission page

RATTLE bills itself as “Poetry for the 21st Century”. Each issue contains about 80 pages of poetry, most of it from unsolicited submissions. RATTLE accepts both hard copy and email submissions, a rarity among literary journals. In additon, the submission page notes:

Every issue of RATTLE gathers poems from a specific ethnic, vocational, or social group, comprising a special section of about 20 pages. We”re currently seeking submissions from poets of the “Greatest Generation” — those born between 1911 and 1924 — for our Winter 2006 issue. The deadline for this issue is August 15th, 2006. To submit, just follow the regular guidelines, and make a note that you belong to this group. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please spread the word.

We”re spreading the word. If you”re a poet born between 1911 and 1924, RATTLE wants your poetry. You can find out more at their submission page.

Inkwell is a literary magazine published by Manhattanville College, published in the spring and the fall. The reading period is from August 1 through November. They accept poetry up to 70 lines, and up to five poems per submission. From their submission page:

Poetry Previously unpublished work only. Must be typed, 70 line limit per poem. Multiple submissions up to 5 poems.

General Submissions must include a cover letter with your name, address, e-mail phone number, title of piece, and word/line count and an SASE for notification. Do not include personal information anywhere on the manuscript. Inkwell can assume no liability for entries lost in the mail or damaged. No entries will be returned. Contributors to Inkwell receive payment and complimentary copies.

They appreciate diverse voices in both art and poetry. Full guidelines on their submission page