Did you know that there are many legitimate ways to get paid writing poetry online?
I know the idea, like many of the posts I have written here, sounds too good to be true, but I promise you, it’s actually legit! As you’re about to find out, there are quite a few magazines/websites that will pay you up to $150, sometimes even more.
And, yes, you can make some great money simply submitting your poetry work, but before you get excited, it’s not going to be enough to quit your full-time job.
Instead, view it as a way to supplement your ordinary income. From my research, it’s best to expect anywhere from $1 to $250+ per submission, all depending on whom you work with, but I will try my best to let you know what each publication will pay you inside each description.
In today’s post, I wanted to talk about the many companies/websites that will actually pay you to write poetry, but like a lot of methods I have recommended, it will take a pinch of effort on your part.
Yes, they are legit and be worth your time. Just make sure you read the submission guidelines to ensure your work gets accepted.
So, if you like the idea of writing poetry and getting paid for doing so, let’s jump and take a look at the many companies willing to look at your work.
Get Paid to Write Poetry Online (x Free Websites)
50 Haikus
Each issue of 50 Haikus features both new and established poets, and they accept all forms of haikus.
You can submit up to five times each month, one poem per submission, but if you’re considering, just make sure it’s 100% original and can’t be found elsewhere.
50 Haikus pay cash, $1.50 for everyone or $10 if your submission is marked as “Editor’s Choice.” All payments are made via PayPal.
- Website: 50 Haikus
AGNI Magazine
GNI is an American literary magazine that publishes poetry and more twice a year in print from its home at Boston University.
The magazine accepts poetry submissions, paying $20 per printed page for accepted poetry, up to a maximum of $150.
The magazine does have quite a few submission guidelines, so do make sure you read them in depth before applying.
- Website: AGNI Magazine
Alaska Quarterly Review
The Alaska Quarterly Review, a literary journal devoted to poetry and so much more, is published by the University of Alaska Anchorage in partnership with the Center for the Narrative and Lyric Arts.
It appears they are looking for literary nonfiction in traditional and experimental styles, not to exceed 20 pages.
Editors do encourage you to submit work, but it must be known that the reading period is from August 15 to May 15.
- Website: Alaska Quarterly Review
American Journal of Nursing
Yes, the American Journal of Nursing will accept poem submissions as long as it relates to the nursing/healthcare field.
If you read the “information for authors” page, the journal “welcomes submissions of… poetry that is relevant to nursing or health care.”
To submit a manuscript, follow the link below as to what’s expected of you before submitting.
- Website: American Journal of Nursing
Antigonish Review
The Antigonish Review is open to any poetry on any subject that’s written from any point of view. However, as per the guidelines, they do expect the work to be within the “old and new poetry in English and other languages.”
They prefer that you submit three to four poems per submission, but no more than eight if possible.
To learn more about the guidelines and submit your poem, refer to the link below for more information. You must submit your poem through this portal to be considered.
- Website: Antigonish Review
Arc Poetry Magazine
For 40 years, Arc has been publishing the best in contemporary poetry and is always open to accepting poetry from all writers.
Arc pays $50 per page and does ask that you read the long list of submission guidelines to ensure your work is considered.
According to the submission page, they will try to respond within six months.
- Website: Arc Poetry Magazine
The Atlantic
Yes, you can submit poems to one of the largest publications in the world, The Atlantic.
While you can’t find too much information on their website, it appears payments start at $0.05 per word.
Contact the publication for more information.
- Website: The Atlantic
The Baltimore Review
Baltimore Review is an American literary magazine founded in 1996, publishing poetry and topics related to creative writing.
Accepted submissions can earn $40 per piece, but they do ask that you wait up to four months before hearing back for a decision.
- Website: The Baltimore Review
Bayou Magazine
Bayou will pay $25 and will consider no more than five poems at a time.
The magazine strongly encourages you to submit online, but you can mail in your submission as well if you choose to do so.
- Website: Bayou Magazine
Bennington Review
The Bennington Review is published twice a year, with submission periods opened during select periods.
All work must be unpublished and submitted online.
They pay $20 per approved poem.
- Website: Bennington Review
Blackbird
Blackbird is an online journal of literature as part of the Virginia Commonwealth University that only posts twice a year.
And, if interested, you must submit during the submission period, which is from August 1 to March 15. This may change, but you can learn more via the submission page.
You can send up to six poems at a time.
- Website: Blackbird
Black Warrior
Black Warrior Review is an American literary magazine based at the University of Alabama.
Published biannually, they pay a “nominal lump-sum fee” for all works published.
Please wait up to six months before consideration.
- Website: Black Warrior
Blue Moutain Arts
This one isn’t so much a payment opportunity, but rather, you can enter a contest for a chance to win hundreds of dollars.
The company suggests that you write using your emotions and feelings as you write as the poems will be judged on the basis of originality and uniqueness.
There are no limits to as many poems you can submit.
- Website: Blue Moutain Arts
Boulevard Magazine
Boulevard Magazine is a biannual literary magazine, striving to publish only the finest in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction.
The magazine only accepts submissions from October 1 to May 1 and has a list of guidelines, so I do recommend you read them carefully before applying. To get a feel for the style, they also ask that you check out their previous publications as well.
At a minimum, they will pay $25, with payments as high as $250.
- Website: Boulevard Magazine
Capilano Review
The Capilano Review is a Canadian tri-annual literary magazine located in Canada.
This magazine does accept unsolicited poetry submissions but only during their open calls, all of which you can find out about via the link below.
Contributors are paid $50-$150.
- Website: Capilano Review
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Yes, the very popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series allows writers to submit their poem for payment consideration.
And, according to the submission guidelines, it appears they are looking for poems that tell a story, allowing the reader to walk away learning something from your writing..
If they do decide to publish your story, you will be paid $200 one month after publication.
- Website: Chicken Soup for the Soul
The Christian Science Monitor
The Christian Science Monitor welcomes short poem submissions, only asking that you don’t submit anything related to death, aging, disease or anything dark for that matter.
Submissions are only accepted via e-mail, with no more than five submitted at a time.
- Website: The Christian Science Monitor
Clubhouse Jr. Magazine
The Clubhouse Jr. Magazine focuses on children three to seven and reaches more than 50,000 children and parents.
According to the magazine, they pay anywhere between $0.15 to $0.25 per word, with payments often in the $100 to $200 range.
- Website: Clubhouse Jr. Magazine
Contrary Magazine
Contrary Magazine is a quarterly literary journal that publishes poetry, commentary and short stories.
The submission page does note that they are looking for the “plurality of meaning, for dual reverberation of beauty and concern. ”
They also note that they do receive a lot of submissions, only able to accept a small percentage of the work they receive.
If accepted, they pay $20 per author per issue.
- Website: Contrary Magazine
Crazyhorse
The College of Charleston’s literary magazine, Crazyhorse, welcomes general poetry submissions from September 1st through May 31st only.
For poetry submissions, they do ask that you submit three to five at a time and allow up to 16 weeks to hear back, sometimes even longer if your work is taken seriously.
Payments range from $20 to $200.
- Website: Crazyhorse
Cricket Media
Cricket Media publishes a variety of magazines, featuring poetry for children ages 6 months and up.
According to the submission page, they “welcome submissions from writers of every level,” but they do ask that you don’t submit the same piece to all of their magazines at once.
Be sure to read the submission page as they talk about each magazine and who it targets to give you a better idea as to who you should use.
- Website: Cricket Media
Edwin E. Smith Publishing
Edwin E. Smith Publishing will pay $5 per page published, which works out to 32 lines of poetry per page.
They do ask that you submit work that “respects form” and “pleases the ear.”
- Website: Edwin E. Smith Publishing
Ember Journal
Ember, a journal of luminous things, is a semiannual journal of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction for all age groups.
Unlike most of these magazines that accept work from almost anyone, they strongly encourage readers aged 10 to 18 to apply.
Poems from 3 to 100 lines have the best chance of acceptance.
- Website: Ember Journal
EPOCH Magazine
The EPOCH Magazine, founded in 1947, is a triannual American literary magazine published by Cornell University.
While the magazine reads submissions year-round, they only read unsolicited work between September 15 and April 15.
Unlike a lot of these publications that allow you to submit online, they only allow you to submit via mail.
Payments vary depending on the funding, but as I write this, they were paying a minimum of $50.
- Website: EPOCH Magazine
Event Poetry and Prose
Event Poetry and Prose is looking for poems that “lyrical without being overwrought” and “profound without being pretentious.”
The publication isn’t always accepting submissions so make sure you read the following submission page for more information.
- Website: Event Poetry and Prose
The Fiddlehead
The Fiddlehead editors are always open to unsolicited poem submissions, but they let it be known that they only accept up to 2% of the work submitted.
If you are serious, they do recommend at least reading an issue to get a sense as to what they are looking for, but it isn’t mandatory, however.
There are two submittable submission periods, so be sure to check these dates before submitting. Pay starts at $60+.
- Website: The Fiddlehead
Frontier Poetry
Aspiring poets can submit poetry year round as long as your work hasn’t been published before.
All approved poems can make at least $50, up to $150.
- Website: Frontier Poetry
Fun for Kidz Magazine
This Fun for Kidz Magazine, a publication catered to girls six to 13 years old, only publishes 18 or so poems per year but is always open to submissions.
They will pay a minimum of $10 per poem if accepted.
- Website: Fun for Kidz Magazine
GeoLiterary
Geometry is an international literary journal based in New Zealand and accepts poetry submissions.
The submission page is short and sweet, but they do ask that you do not submit any novel extracts, children’s fiction and/or genre fiction.
Writers are paid $10 to $50 for accepted submissions.
- Website: GeoLiterary
Georgia College Arts & Letters Magazine
The Arts & Letters publication at Georgia College accepts unsolicited submissions of up to four poems per submission.
Reading the guidelines, they do ask that you submit one genre and follow specific guidelines, much like these other companies.
The only downfall is that they do charge a small fee to submit, part of which supports the publication. However, if accepted, payment starts at $10 per submitted page.
- Website: GCSU.edu
Goblin Fruit
Goblin Fruit pays up to $15 for an original, unpublished poem or $5 for solicited reprints.
If you’d like to submit a poem, they do ask that you submit during certain timelines, all of which you can find via the official link below.
- Website: Goblin Fruit
Grain Magazine
Grain is a Canadian literary magazine featuring poetry, short fiction, non-fiction, and artwork, published quarterly.
They only accept submissions from September 1st until May 31st and strongly recommend you read at least one copy before submitting your work.
All contributors are paid $50 per page, up to $250.
- Website: Grain Magazine
Iowa Review
The Iowa Review is always looking for the best poetry from all writers, regardless of your experience.
They only accept submissions during the fall semester only (September-November), so it’s important you only submit your poems during this time to be considered.
Pay starts at $40.
- Website: Iowa Review
Iron Horse
Operated by Texas Tech University, the Iron Horse magazine accepts all unsolicited poetry submissions, but they do ask that you submit online via the e-mail linked below.
Pay close attention to the submission periods before submitting to ensure your work is accepted. Pay starts at $50+ per poem.
- Website: Iron Horse
Leading Edge
Leading Edge is a science fiction and fantasy magazine that’s always accepting submissions from the public.
Like almost all of these options, there are many rules, so do make sure you at least read them before consideration.
For all accepted poetry submissions, pay ranges from $5 to $20+
- Website: Leading Edge
Lockjaw Magazine
The Lockjaw Magazine is interested in work from writers of “color, queer folk, creators with disabilities, socioeconomic disadvantage, and any and all marginalized groups.”
Submit via the link below but only during the open submission times.
Pay is said to be $10+ submission.
- Website: Lockjaw Magazine
Michigan Quarterly Review
The Michigan Quarterly Review, published by the University of Michigan, seeks out quality submissions during their submission periods, all of which you can find via the link below.
They recommend you submit three to six poems, with payment in the $25~ range.
- Website: Michigan Quarterly Review
mojo 16
mojo 16 is interested in poems that “blur contemporary styles with traditional modes” as well as “poems that are willing to take risks while maintaining clarity of expression.”
Send up to four poems at once, no more than eight pages at a time.
The company pays a flat $15 per poem.
- Website: mojo 16
Nashville Review
Nashville Review is an online, MFA student-run literary magazine at Vanderbilt University, and according to their submission page, they “seek to publish the best work we can get our hands on, period.”
You can submit your poetry up to three times a year, but all they ask is that you wait up to five months to hear back on your status.
All accepted work can earn $25 per poem.
- Website: Nashville Review
New Letters & BkMk Press
New Letters does accept poetry submissions, but they do encourage you to at least read one or more issue before submitting work to get a feel as to what their magazine is like.
If interested, they ask you to submit one submission at a time, no more than six poems at once.
They are open to critical discourses about writing, art, or culture, as long as the writing itself is lively and fresh.
To learn more about the guidelines and how to submit, be sure to visit the link below.
- Website: New Letters & BkMk Press
New Yorker
The New Yorker reviews poetry on a rolling basis, only accepting poems via their submission page below.
They ask that you only send up to six poems at a time and no more than two submissions in a year.
- Website: The New Yorker
Orion Magazine
Orion is a quarterly, advertisement-free, nonprofit magazine focused on nature and culture, founded in 1982.
The magazine does ask that you familiarize yourself with the magazine before approaching them with any unsolicited work.
Submissions only accepted during designated windows, from April 15 to June 15.
- Website: Orion Magazine
PANK Magazine
You can submit up to five poems at once, but they do ask that you wait up to six months to hear back.
For more information, follow the “submittable” link below.
- Website: PANK Magazine
Pedestal Magazine
Pedestal Magazine supports both ” established and burgeoning writers” and welcome you to submit your work as long as it’s unique and hasn’t been published elsewhere.
To read about the current and upcoming guidelines, as well as what the magazine is looking for, do refer to the link below as this continues to change.
It appears they pay $50~ per accepted poem.
- Website: Pedestal Magazine
Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation will examine all work they receive, but like most of these options, they will only consider work that has never been previously published.
Payment is made at the rate of $10 per line, with a minimum payment of $300.
To see what type of files you can submit as well as the e-mail you can send your poetry to, please follow the link below.
- Website: Poetry Foundation
Poetry Magazine
If you’re a fan of poetry, there’s probably a good chance you’ve heard of Poetry Magazine, quite possibly the largest publication in the industry.
The magazine does let you submit poetry pieces, but like most of these options, they do have strict guidelines. For instance, they do ask that you submit all of your poems in on documents and limit it to 10 pages.
If you do decide to submit, keep in mind that the response time is up to seven months, so it could be quite some time before you hear back.
- Website: Poetry Magazine
The Potomac
The Potomac will allow you to submit any unsolicited poetry work to the email via the link below.
As of right now, they are accepting submissions year-round, but just make sure you read the guidelines closely before submitting anyways as this can always change.
- Website: The Potomac
Qu
Qu is a contemporary literary magazine from the Queens University of Charlotte.
The magazine pays $50 per poem, but as a note here, they will not accept international submissions.
There is a limited time window to submit your work, but you will know if they are accepting as the magazine will let you know with a message at the top of its submission page.
- Website: Qu
Rattle
Rattle always welcome poetry submissions year-round, ensuring that it’s always free to submit your work.
Just make sure your work is original and not published elsewhere to be considered.
If accepted in print, they will pay $100 per poem plus a one-year subscription to the magazine or $50 per poem for online submissions. Free submissions are automatically considered for the annual Neil Postman Award for Metaphor, which offers a $1,000 prize determined by the editors.
- Website: Rattle
The Rumpus
Launched in 2009, The Rumpus focuses on a lot, including poetry.
If you want to submit a poem, they allow you to do so via their online submission tool, but as like most of these options, they strongly encourage you to read the guidelines. There are quite a few!
The pay greatly varies, but according to the submission page, they try to set aside $300 for contributors.
- Website: The Rumpus
Ruminate
Ruminate is a mindful literary arts magazine that receives more than 5,000 general submissions every year.
And, while they can’t publish every submission, they still encourage you to at least submit your poem during their submission period to see if you can get yours accepted.
Like most of these magazines, you can only submit your poetry during a certain timeframe, so be sure to check out the following link for more information.
- Website: Ruminate
Slice Magazine
Slice Magazine welcomes poetry submissions from all writers, specifically looking for anyone with a fresh voice who’s enthusiastic about championing emerging voices.
Like a lot of these magazines, they do ask you to read at least one copy to get a sense as to what they are looking for before submitting.
You may submit up to five poems for consideration.
- Website: Slice Magazine
Southern Review
The Southern Review is a quarterly literary magazine that was established in 1935 and accepts unsolicited work during submission periods.
While they accepted mailed pieces in the past, they no longer do so due to high demand. Today, they ask you to use their online submission tool.
You may submit up to five poems at once. Payments start at $50 and max out at $250.
- Website: Southern Review
Strange Horizons
The Strange Horizons focuses on speculative fiction in nature, but they are open to poetry submissions as long as it relates to the fantasy and science genre.
According to the submissions, the pay rate is $40, regardless of the length, but like most of the companies I list here, they want you to limit you to no more than six poems at a time.
The magazine has a lot of restrictions, so make sure you read the page in depth to ensure they consider your poetry submission.
- Website: Strange Horizons
Strong Verse
The Strong Verse, an online poetry magazine, exists to help “give a voice to poems that can sustain life with words.”
Poems may be submitted in any form and of any length.
Approved poems are awarded $10.
- Website: Strong Verse
Subtropics
Subtropics is an American literary journal based at the University of Florida, and this magazine will pay you $100 per published poem.
They ask that you submit up to four poems at a time and wait until you hear back from them if you decided to send more. Most of the time, it can take longer than a month before you hear back.
- Website: Subtropics
The Sun Magazine
The Sun Magazine is a reader-supported ad-free magazine that has been selected for the Best American Essays and Best American Short Stories anthologies.
According to the submission page, they are willing to pay anywhere from $100 to $250 for your poetry work if accepted.
They simply ask that you check out a sample poem before submitting to see what they are looking for.
- Website: The Sun Magazine
Threepenny Review
The Threepenny Review is an American literary magazine founded in 1980.
You can submit your poems, with the company paying $200 per piece. You can either mail a physical copy or use their online portal.
- Website: Threepenny Review
U.S. Kids
The U.S. Kids magazine provides fun and entertaining reading material for children of all ages.
They do accept four to 12 line poems at a time, with payments starting at $25+.
With all submissions, they do ask that you remember the age of your audience before considering.
- Website: U.S. Kids
VQR Online
Founded in 1925, the Virginia Quarterly Review is a quarterly literary magazine published by the University of Virginia.
They accept all types and lengths of poetry and will pay up to $200 per poem, up to four poems at a time.
- Website: VQR Online
Willow Springs Magazine
Submit your poetry piece to Willow Springs Magazine and you can earn at least $20 per published poem.
They do allow you to submit up to five poems at once, but you must do so during the months of September through May if considering.
There is a small $3 submission fee, and they do ask that you wait at least four months before hearing back from them.
- Website: Willow Springs Magazine
ZYZZYVA
Zyzzyva is a triannual magazine of writers and artists, which places an emphasis on showcasing emerging voices.
You can submit only during their submission period, however, unlike most of these publications that allow you to submit online, you must send via mail.
- Website: ZYZZYVA
Tips to Keep in Mind
To ensure you actually are considered and hopefully get paid, there are a few tips you’re going to want to keep in mind. Here’s what you will want to know:
- Always make sure your poem is unique. This means avoid posting it anywhere on the internet, whether it’s social media or a personal blog. These publications will scan your poem to ensure that it’s 100% legit. You can’t fool them!
- Read the directions carefully. Every single publication I listed above have strict guidelines and if you even misread one line, it can put your submission in jeopardy. Some companies, for example, only allow you to submit during a certain time. As long as you read the submission guidelines, it isn’t too hard to submit your work, however.
- Look at the publication. Don’t just submit your work for the sake of it. Be sure to at least read the publication to get a feel as to what they are looking for in a poem. This can greatly increase your chances of getting your poem accepted.
Final Thoughts
Submitting your poetry and getting paid is possible, but as you can see, it’s going to take some work.
For one, you need to make sure that your poetry aligns with the publication’s theme.
And secondly, you need to make sure that you follow the guidelines to even ensure the company looks at your work. All of these publications have some sort of guidelines, so it’s very important you read these directions before even considering submitting your work.
If you’re lucky enough to get one of the many publications I listed to accept your work and get paid, then, you could see a cool $10+ added to your bank account. Again, it’s not much, but if you’re a fan of writing poetry, why not at least get a little bit in your pocket for your work?
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