We’re seeking individual poems (NOT chapbooks or book-length manuscripts) in any poetry format, including experimental, prose poems, and hybrid. We especially want to hear from marginalized and underrepresented authors, and we are an LGBTQUIA+ safe-space. All accepted pieces receive $10 and publication on The Coil.

Submissions open: March 1, 2024

Submissions close: May 31, 2024

Selections made: Within 4 months

Publication: 2024/2025

• This category is only for INDIVIDUAL standalone poems (not book-length manuscripts). Submissions can be any type of poetry, small groups of linked poems, experimental, prose poems, or hybrid. (Hybrid that most closely resembles fiction or prose should be submitted to the fiction category or to the Luminaire Prose Award. Historical poems should be submitted to Footnote/Charter Oak Award.)
• All genres, styles, and subjects considered. A soft upper limit of 5,000 words is suggested.
• Our journal is hosted on the Medium platform, which is not the best place for poetry that is anything other than left-aligned. We are not the best home for single poems with fancy layouts.
• You may submit up to 5 poems in a single document file.
• All work must be in English and must be the author’s own. Single work by multiple authors considered. We do not consider AI-generated works.
• These submissions are not read incognito. It doesn’t matter if your identifying information is or isn’t inside your submission file.
• If you need to adjust a submission, please use the Request to Edit option through Submittable. Please don’t request to edit for minor flaws, however—all accepted work will go through an editing process and will have the chance to be updated before publication, and your work will not be disqualified for a missing comma.
• All authors must be at least 18 to submit.
• Simultaneous submissions allowed. You do not have to withdraw a piece that is accepted elsewhere, as long as you still own the reprint rights after first publication.
• Previously published pieces are considered, as long as you still own the reprint rights.
• Submit via Submittable only. We do not accept email submissions.
• This is a free form that is unique to you and shouldn't be shared with others. There is a $4.99 submission fee for anyone able to pay.
• Each submission comes with a digital copy of our latest poetry book, Watermark: Poems of the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889 by Barbara Sabol ($7.99 value).
• It is highly recommended that you read our past published poems.
• We will send a response and notification to every submission within 4 months. Form response only, unless we are interested in publishing your book. We are regretfully unable to provide feedback. If you have not heard back after 4 months, please feel free to follow up (kindly).