Poetry Anthology Information and Submission Guidelines
What is a Poetry Anthology?
In the publishing industry, an anthology is a collection of literary works. A poetry anthology, therefore, refers to a collection of poems ranging from 30 to 1000 different pieces in most cases. These poems can be written by one or several poets and can be organized by poetic form, themes, or other ways.
About PoetrySoup Anthologies
PoetrySoup periodically produces anthologies of member poems. Members must give PoetrySoup permission to use their poems.
Our most recent anthology was produced on November 16, 2023. You can view previously published PoetrySoup books on the PoetrySoup Book Store.
We will let members know when the next anthology is to be produced via email and on this page.
PoetrySoup Anthology Points to Keep In Mind
- Submission is free
- There is no financial compensation for inclusion in this poetry anthology.
- Submission is not a guarantee of acceptance.
- Lifetime Premium Members may submit up to 3 poems and non-paying members may submit 1 poem.
Submission Guidelines
- Do not include any content in the poem text field other than the poem. No titles, no dates, and no notes. Just the poem text itself.
- Poems must be posted on PoetrySoup.com and in English. We do not accept poems via email or postal service.
- You must be the poem's author and sign an online release form allowing us to publish the poetry in print.
- Previously published works are allowed. However, the author must hold rights and be responsible for reprint permissions and fees. A citation to the original publication must be provided.
- Poems must be 50 lines or less. We are focusing on shorter poems this time. You can view your poem line count on the edit poem page.
- Translated works of other authors are NOT acceptable.
- Poems must be in the correct poetic form or requested theme.
- If accepted, you still own the rights to your poem and can publish it elsewhere.
Since anthologies are fairly large publications, we cannot provide free copies to poets included in the anthology.
How to Submit a Poem for Consideration
- Sign Up for the PoetrySoup account (we do not accept submissions via email or the postal service)
- Post a poem on the PoetrySoup website using the Submit Poems page.
- After you've posted the poem, go to the My Poems page.
- From the My Poems page, edit the poem you want to submit to the anthology by clicking the edit link next to the poem you want to submit.
- On the edit poem page, Click the Submit to Anthology link/button to submit a poem for consideration to the anthology.
- Follow the instructions on the Submit to Anthology page.
- That's it. We will let you know if your poem has been accepted for inclusion in PoetrySoup's next anthology.
Submission Deadlines
Our deadline for accepting anthology submissions has passed. Our published anthologies can be found on the PoetrySoup Book Store
Benefits of Poetry Anthology
The unique thing about poetry anthologies is that they benefit everyone. This includes the authors of the poem, the editorial team, and the readers. Let us brush through the benefits poems offer all these individuals.
For the Author;
- Their work gets to be published, giving a sense of achievement.
- It grants credibility.
- Showcases an author's skill and talent.
- Introduces one to a community of fellow like-minded individuals.
- An opportunity for one to soar higher in their writing career.
- Authors get to speak their minds to the world.
For the Editorial Team;
- The editors gain recognition for their great work.
- They can bring together a pool of talented individuals for future projects.
- By critiquing different poems, the editorial team boosts its skills.
- Working with gifted poets is in one way an honor.
For Readers;
- Inspiration on different aspects of life.
- They can also learn about new authors and proceed to look for more of their works.
- Learn and get educated on different themes.
- The act of buying these books is a sign of gratitude.
- In some cases, the proceeds of anthologies go to charity. Making this an act of kindness done to the world.
Having gone through the many benefits poetry anthologies offer to the community, let us look at some of the most well-known poetry books.
Examples of Famous Poetry Anthologies
Compiling a poetry anthology isn't easy. It's surprising how little recognition is awarded to editors for putting together different pieces. With that being said, if you are struggling to find the best poem book, here are examples of famous poetry anthologies worth checking out.
1. Poems that Make Grown Men Cry Compiled by Anthony and Ben Holden – The works of a father and son team, this anthology explores contributions by tens of successful men all coming from industries such as art, entertainment, and the media amongst others.
2. Staying Alive Edited by Neil Astley - If there is a poetry book out there that ventures into these unreal times is the Staying alive anthology. Featuring poems related to breakup, loss, love, and pain, this is the perfect book for anyone who wants to feel human.
3. A Poem for Every Day of the Year Edited by Allie Esiri – A poetry book compiled for everyone. Get it for your family and watch your kids learn about the different events in the calendar. Popular poets featured in this anthology include Longfellow, Stevenson, and Hardy.
4. Too Bright to See from Graywolf Press – These timeless poems by Linda Gregg are devoted to family, romance, love, travel, and a bunch of other aspects that we engage in on a daily basis.
5. Hybrida: Poems by Tina Change – If you prefer to read poems about love that are intertwined with fear, then Tina Chang's poetry anthology will have you up all night long. These poems explore the ferocity of raising mixed-race children.
These are just but some of the most popular poetry anthologies of all time. With time, you will come to realize the talents of one or two of these authors and that's how one builds a list of favorite poets.
Where Can I Find Free Poetry Anthologies to Read
Gutenberg.org is a great resource of free ebook poetry anthologies by various authors and on a multitude of poetic subjects.
Free Poetry Anthologies
The Bottom Line
Poetry is a very unique form of art. It speaks differently and this is why you may have to go through dozens of poems before you can find one that pleases you. Having fully understood what poetry anthologies are and their benefits, feel free to gain inspiration from the above popular poetry books. And if you want to become a great poet, read as many poetry books as you can.