POEM Literary Magazine

Only the best poems from thousands of national and international submissions are selected for publication in POEM. Published and distributed by HLA twice each year to members and major libraries, this literary journal is recognized as one of the finest poetry magazines in the United States. POEM has been published continuously since 1967, and this year we will publish our 127th and 128th issues. Note: HLA, a volunteer organization, publishes only POEM. HLA is not a commercial publishing organization.

POEM, Huntsville Literary Association, established 1967
P.O. Box 2006
Huntsville, AL 35804
Editor: Rebecca Harbor
Assistant Editors: Harry V. Moore and James Miller Robinson.

Poem, published in spring and fall, has been in continuous publication since 1967.

We equally welcome submissions from established poets as well as from less known and beginning poets. We publish both traditional forms and free verse. We want poems characterized by compression, rich vocabulary, significant content, and evidence of “a tuned ear and practiced pen.” We want coherent work that moves through the particulars of the poem to make a point. We do not want “greeting card verse” or proselytizing or didactic poems.

The editor and two assistant editors individually read all submissions. At each editorial conference, all preliminary selections are read aloud and discussed. Then final selections are made. We sometimes accept a poem upon the condition that the poet agree to a suggested change. We do not comment on rejections. We generally accept about five percent of poems submitted.

We do not accept translations, previously published works, or simultaneous submissions.

Poem is perfect bound, digest-sized, professionally printed on good stock paper with a clean design and a matte cover. It is about 90 pages and contains over 60 poems and notes on contributors. Press run is 500. Copies go to all Huntsville Literary Association members, to individual out-of-town subscribers, to subscribing libraries throughout the United States and in Canada, and to the contributors.

Poem is a member of the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP).

Submissions: Submit 3-5 poems, preferably with a cover letter, to the address above. Place name, address, telephone number, and email address on cover letter and on each poem. Include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage. Submissions are read throughout the year. We generally respond in 1-3 months.

Copyright and payment: Poem acquires first serial rights. Because we are a non-profit organization, we can pay only in copy to contributors. We pay two copies to each contributor.

Subscriptions and sample copies: Subscriptions for out-of-towners are $20 per year. Single copies of the current issue are $10 each. A sample copy of a back issue is $7. Send to Poem, Huntsville Literary Association, P.O. Box 919, Huntsville, AL 35804.