The Submission Period For Consideration In Our February 2027

Online Issue Will be From November 1 - 30, 2026. We Will Have

Free Subs On November 13 to Celebrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

 

Beginning with APJ’s June 2026 Open Reading Period, we will have one day per reading period in which subs will be FREE with a cap of 55 to celebrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). APJ always celebrates DEI. The FREE sub day is an added tribute to submitters and to help us see more diversity in our queue.

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Publishing schedule 2026: June 1-June 30, 2026, for consideration in APJ's October 2026 online issue. 

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​Publishing schedule 2027:

ISSUES: Open submissions, November 1- 30, 2026, with November 13 FREE SUB DAY, for consideration in APJ's February 2027 online issue. July 1-July 31, for consideration in APJ's October 2027 online issue.

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MICRO E-CHAPBOOK: Open submission, March 1-March 31, 2027, for consideration in APJ's Micro E-Chapbook Series, July 2027 online publication.

All subject to change, if necessary. 

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PLEASE read our previous issues to see what we’re looking for and follow these guidelines carefully before submitting,

We no longer publish book reviews.​

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Poets and artists will each get paid a $25 honorarium for publication.

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American Poetry Journal (APJ) considers submissions of poetry and art in most styles, forms, or genres from all contributors globally. Submit no matter your race, color, religion, national origin/citizenship status, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

 

Please no inappropriate or offensive work, and no generative AI. APJ understands that work using Natural Language Processing tools (like predictive or corrective AI found in Google Docs, MicroSoft Word, Grammarly etc.) to check for spelling/grammar is fine. However, we ask that all submissions do not use generative AI tools (like ChatGPT, Bard, GrammerlyGo or the likes) to draft or compose/create any pieces submitted to APJ. ​Please do not send easy rhymes and "light" verse as they are less likely to find a home at APJ (sorry). Also, we do not consider translations at this time.

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Poetry

For poetry, please send no more than 3 previously unpublished poems ​in one file, no more than 7 pages in total. Very important: You must only submit one file with your three poems in it. If you try to submit more than one file, you will lose two of them. If this happens, we will only be able to consider what is in your first file and cannot upload another file(s) or refund your submission fee. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please mention it in your email. Also, should your work be accepted elsewhere, please withdraw the submitted poem from your Duosuma submission. If you've been published in APJ before, please wait a year from acceptance before submitting again.

 

As of June 19, 2026, we can no longer consider multiple submissions. If your submission is declined, please wait until the next issue open reading period to submit.

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APJ is looking for poems that are unique and honest, that progress and leave us deep rooted and committed. We look for distinctiveness, 

want bold metaphors, sonics like we’ve never heard before, a shared purpose in the unfolding of the poem. We want poems that question humanity and engage us in contemporary as well as age-old concepts, but we’d love a dreamscape with imagery that leaves us questioning ourselves. Challenge us without pretentiousness and show us a mastery of craft.

 

​Cover Art

Submit up to 5 previously unpublished pieces, high res .jpeg (,jpg) or .png, both black/white & color considered.

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All submissions should be through Duosuma; please click on a Duosuma button when ready to submit. You do not need to subscribe to Duotrope to submit, but you do need to sign up for a Duotrope account. It's free to sign up. Please include a 50-word third-person bio with a short cover note. Poetry should be submitted in a single .doc, .docx, or PDF file—please do not submit using OneDrive or Google Docs. Art should be attached in high res .jpeg (.jpg) or .png files. Unfortunately, we are not open to email or post submissions at this time.

 

We have a cap of 400 submissions. However, the reading period may be extended, depending on sufficient response and/or the quality of work submitted.

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​We aim to reply within 1-2 months of receipt. Please query us if it’s been longer than 2 months.

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As the creator of the work, you retain copyright upon publication, you agree to grant APJ first serial/electronic rights as well as electronic archival rights. You also agree that if the work is published subsequently (online or in print), APJ will be credited.

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There will be a $3.00 fee with APJ submissions for issue reading periods to help pay contributors and poet staff. Thank you in advance!

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We nominate for Pushcart and Best of the Net Prizes and promote each issue after publication.​​​​​​