How to Publish Poetry Online

Writers and publishers of poetry should first be readers of poetry. You should read all the best poetry you can, from contemporary, moderns, historical, and even ancients poets. Read the best and the very best. Learn how to write in all the poetic forms that interest you. Read and write. Know that “free verse” has to be well-crafted, poetic, rhythmical.

As for publishing, and especially if you’re a beginner, there are numerous online opportunites for publishing your poetry. At http://www.poetrypoem.com, you can a “get a free website to publish a poem or all your poetry.” You can also publish poetry at http://www.FanStory.com. Also, publish your poetry at web content providers that offer the opportunity for publishing poetry. Many of these also allow for the syndication of your poetry online.

If you’re interested in publishing offline and in print, try first some of the local literary magazines and journals. Get poetry books and journals from your local library, jot down the names of the publishers, jot down the submissions guidelines. Get a copy of Poet’s Market from Writers Digest Books, which contains 1700 publishers of poetry. Note the markets that are receptive to beginning poets. Some of these might offer only publication, pay in copies, but if you are a beginner you must build a “resume” of first publications.

Publishers of poetry can also be found at:

Pmpoetry.com
http://www.pmpoetry.com/publishers.shtml
The Poetry Kit – Poetry Publishers
http://www.poetrykit.org/pubs.htm

Information on getting poetry published can also be found at:
www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/publishpoem/publishpoem.html
www.poetry.com
www.Writing-Smart

If you’re a student join poetry writing workshops and/or start your own. There are also online poetry writing workshops. Gotham Writers Workshop also offers online classes for poets: http://www.writingclasses.com/cgi-bin/redirect.cgi?src=202. If you’re an established poet, then you can also sign up to join their faculty.

There’s a free “publishing your poetry course” located at:
www.suite101.com/course.cfm/19698/seminar
This course is designed to help you publish your poetry. Its classes include: Writing Poetry, Poetry Markets, The Business Side of Things, Promoting Your Work.

If you’re interested in poetry forums, critiques and more publishing information go to:
www.allpoetry.com

For information on how to get started submitting poems:
poetry.about.com/library/howto/htsubmit.htm
www.netpoets.com/market/manuscripts.htm
www.poetrypower.com/poetry.htm
www.poetrysubmit.com

Very few literary agents represent poetry except for established poets, generally booklength, and most poets do most of their own first marketing, and poetry markets generally pay very little. Also many poets do poetry readings & teach poetry workshops to supplement their income. (Of course there exceptions, especially among certain established, popular and/or “celebrity poets.” ) The following agent however advertises being an agent “who represents poets”:

Sunpiper.com
http://www.sunpiper.com

Best poetry websites for kids:
www.surfnetkids.com/reader/rr_pubpoem.htm