Submission Guidelines

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” --Maya Angelou

Founded in 2007, Poetic Press, an imprint of Xpress Yourself Publishing is a literary press that publishes thought-provoking poetry.  Poetic Press is just getting started! We are building a prestigious roster of talented poets and spoken word artists. Want to be added to this list? Do you think you have what it takes to be a best-selling author? If so, submit your manuscript today.

Reading Period: We are now accepting poetry manuscripts with at least 85 manuscript pages.  Unfortunately we cannot consider previously published work.

Poetry Submissions
If you would like us to consider your work, please send a one-page query letter addressed to the poetry editor, Michael J. Burt, with a brief work sample from your poetry manuscript. In this one-page query letter and work sample, please include:

-- a paragraph containing relevant biographical information;
-- a brief description of the manuscript;
-- a list of published works (books, magazines, anthologies, online) if applicable;
-- twenty pages of poetry, as a sample from the manuscript;
-- and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) for our reply only. We cannot reply if a SASE is not included.

Manuscript Format

-- Times New Roman, double spaced, size 12

-- Include title page (with title of book, full name, and e-mail address)

-- Bold poem titles

-- No more than one poem per page

Manuscript Reviewing
We have a small editorial staff, and we respond to queries within twelve weeks. Poetic Press does not currently accept submissions of any kind by phone, fax, or e-mail. Please do not send your poetry on disk. Because of the volume of submissions we receive, we simply cannot take phone calls or respond to emails inquiring about the status of manuscripts.

Please send manuscripts to:

ATTENTION: Michael J. Burt, editor

Poetic Press

P.O. Box 1492

Laurel, MD 20725

Thank you for your interest in Poetic Press.

Michael J. Burt

Managing Editor, Poetic Press

Poetic Press is an Xpress Yourself Publishing imprint!