This is so helpful, Emily! I recently had my first novel accepted for publication (yay!), so after spending LOTS of time researching/writing/perfecting a fiction query letter, it's useful to see what a poetry query letter might look like, as I start to think about trying to pull together a poetry manuscript next...
Thank you! I submitted my packet to Copper Canyon this morning. I followed your “just start writing the letter” advice and it was really helpful. I had a lot more to say about my work than I thought I did.
< Copper Canyon’s next reading period ... has a twist. Rather than submitting a full manuscript, they want just a sampling of poems and a query letter. >
Last month I received a prompt acceptance for my collection of formal verse "Cancer Courts My Mother" from a university press in California who had requested five poems and a proposal instead of a full manuscript.
Interestingly, Green Writers Press had also accepted "Cancer Courts My Mother" - - but G.W.P. offered me a hokey-pokey HYBRID agreement (i.e., the poet pays G.W.P. for the "privilege"), which I declined.
My cover letter / pitch / proposal was dramatically different than the one offered here but I really enjoyed this process and hope to see more university presses and indie presses adopt it.
My track record for 2023:
I had four (yes, 4!) poetry manuscripts accepted by four different publishers ** AND ** I also helped two poet friends place their manuscripts. Their two presses were hand-selected by me - - and each friend received a "yes" on the first try.
It is not rocket science.
Pitching means you understand your material + have researched which is the best door(s) to knock on.
Congrats on your success, LindaAnn, and thanks for that update on Green Writers Press. I didn't realize they had moved to a hybrid model and will note it on the spreadsheet of publishers. That wasn't their model when I submitted four or so years ago.
Emily, thank you! I'm excited about all of this - - especially being able to help my colleagues place their poetry mss successfully!
FYI: Brandylane Publishers [5 S 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219] also presents themselves as a "traditional publisher" - - then sent me an acceptance letter with a hybrid contract.
Clearly, Green Writers Press (once a traditional press) has stepped over this line as well. Tsk-tsk.
Hi there! I am wondering whether I include my poetry sample selection in the body of the email or as an attachment? Much love and appreciation for what you shared!
The requirements vary from publisher to publisher -- their guidelines should say how exactly they'd like to receive the materials. Good luck with your submissions!
Thank you for this really detailed and informative post. It will help me and I’m sure many other writers. ❤️
This is so helpful, Emily! I recently had my first novel accepted for publication (yay!), so after spending LOTS of time researching/writing/perfecting a fiction query letter, it's useful to see what a poetry query letter might look like, as I start to think about trying to pull together a poetry manuscript next...
Congrats on your novel, Kristen! Glad this was helpful, and guessing your novel querying will help make the poetry process a little easier.
Phenomenal!
Emily! This is such a wise resource -- your guidance for developing a query is really great.
Thanks so much for the shout out!! :)
This is incredibly helpful! Thank you. I came across this post via Lit Mag News and am so glad to have this Substack in my rotation now. :)
Thanks, Claire!
This is incredible, Emily. Just discovered your work and am loving your thoughtful words here, thank you!
Thanks so much, Samantha!
Thank you! I submitted my packet to Copper Canyon this morning. I followed your “just start writing the letter” advice and it was really helpful. I had a lot more to say about my work than I thought I did.
So glad to know this was helpful, KateLynn -- hoping for good things with your submission!
< Copper Canyon’s next reading period ... has a twist. Rather than submitting a full manuscript, they want just a sampling of poems and a query letter. >
Last month I received a prompt acceptance for my collection of formal verse "Cancer Courts My Mother" from a university press in California who had requested five poems and a proposal instead of a full manuscript.
Interestingly, Green Writers Press had also accepted "Cancer Courts My Mother" - - but G.W.P. offered me a hokey-pokey HYBRID agreement (i.e., the poet pays G.W.P. for the "privilege"), which I declined.
My cover letter / pitch / proposal was dramatically different than the one offered here but I really enjoyed this process and hope to see more university presses and indie presses adopt it.
My track record for 2023:
I had four (yes, 4!) poetry manuscripts accepted by four different publishers ** AND ** I also helped two poet friends place their manuscripts. Their two presses were hand-selected by me - - and each friend received a "yes" on the first try.
It is not rocket science.
Pitching means you understand your material + have researched which is the best door(s) to knock on.
My two cents! :-)
Congrats on your success, LindaAnn, and thanks for that update on Green Writers Press. I didn't realize they had moved to a hybrid model and will note it on the spreadsheet of publishers. That wasn't their model when I submitted four or so years ago.
Emily, thank you! I'm excited about all of this - - especially being able to help my colleagues place their poetry mss successfully!
FYI: Brandylane Publishers [5 S 1st St, Richmond, VA 23219] also presents themselves as a "traditional publisher" - - then sent me an acceptance letter with a hybrid contract.
Clearly, Green Writers Press (once a traditional press) has stepped over this line as well. Tsk-tsk.
Hi there! I am wondering whether I include my poetry sample selection in the body of the email or as an attachment? Much love and appreciation for what you shared!
The requirements vary from publisher to publisher -- their guidelines should say how exactly they'd like to receive the materials. Good luck with your submissions!