PhillyChapbookReview.org Submissions (header)

We are now closed to submissions of original poetry. Our next call will be from February 1 to March 15, 2025.

We’re still accepting submissions of poem excerpts from full-length collections. (Instructions below.)

Review submissions and queries are always open. Philly Poetry Chapbook Review accepts unsolicited submissions of completed chapbook reviews by email. Writers interested in reviewing or interviewing on assignment can query the editor with a little about yourself and clips if you have them.

Specific guidelines for each category can be found below. There are no fees.

(Last update: 1/4/2025)

Original Poetry (closed): poetry @ phillychapbookreview.org
Book Submissions: submissions @ phillychapbookreview.org
Contributor Queries: pitches @ phillychapbookreview.org

Contributor Submission Guidelines

  • We’re looking for reviews and author features of forthcoming or recently published chapbooks (within the 12 months). We do not publish fiction or non-book-related creative nonfiction. Submissions of original poetry open for periods of a month and a half four times per year.
  • Our goal is to publish criticism and analysis that doesn’t feel too academic. Our target audience is people who enjoy books so much that they want to read about the books they read. We want to make that both an educational and an enjoyable experience.
  • We pay a token fee of $10 to all contributors, because all writers deserve to be paid. We hope to increase our budget in the future, but it’s the best we can do for now. In the meantime, if you have a relevant project, social media accounts, or an author website, we have great internet skills want to promote them.
  • PCR is a curated journal. We purchase first serial rights, which revert to the author one month after publication, and non-exclusive archival and syndication rights.

Book Reviews & Essays

  • We’re looking for reviews of poetry chapbooks only. If the publisher or author has a Greater Philadelphia connection, that’s great. If not, we don’t mind. We’re an international journal and quality is key. We like reviews of chapbooks either forthcoming or published within the past year or multiple-book essays on books published within the past three years.
  • While we believe that weaknesses should be pointed out for our readers, we want to highlight deserving work. We especially encourage works by authors from underrepresented communities. However, whether a writer can prove their worth through their work will always be our primary standard.
  • All reviews should contain excerpts to highlight the reviewer’s statements. They should also answer the following questions:
    • What is the author trying to say?
    • How does the author achieve their goal and where do they fall short?
    • How does the reviewer feel about the book as a reader?
    • What type of readers might enjoy the book, what type wouldn’t, and why?
  • We encourage research of the author’s background and for some of that information to make its way into the piece. We also encourage creative literary connections.
  • The reviewer shouldn’t have a personal or financial relationship with the book, the press, or the author. Acquaintances and colleagues are everywhere, but true conflicts of interest will not be tolerated.
  • Reviews should range between 300 and 1,200 words in length. Reviews over 600 words are considered “essays,” but all are shared and promoted the same.

Author Features

  • Unsolicited finished work may be submitted, but we strongly encourage pitches in this category. You don’t need experience, but should at least have a clear plan. If you do and we’re interested, we can help you coordinate.
  • We’re looking for profiles of chapbook authors based on research and interview. We favor narrative profiles in the style of creative nonfiction, but a standard lede of a few paragraphs followed by Q & A is acceptable.
  • If you want to write a profile of an author who’s chapbook you’re also reviewing, please let us know when you pitch or are assigned the review. This can make for two great pieces, but it’s usually best to coordinate through representatives. We can provide the necessary contacts and credibility.
  • Length varies, depending on the type of piece. Features and interviews of a single author or publisher should be at least 1,000 words.

Original Poetry

Original Poetry submissions are CLOSED and will reopen on February 1.

Philly Poetry Chapbook Review accepts original poetry submissions for month and a half periods, four times per year, beginning February 1, May 1, August1, and November 1. Submissions outside of these windows may not receive a reply.

We’re looking for serious poetry that has something important to say. This can mean poems about topics important to you, poems telling us about who you are or what you think, or an unusual or clever creative style. Poems don’t need to deal with weighty subjects, but should be meaningful.

We prefer free verse. Exceptions can be made, but common metered verse forms, end-rhyme, haikus, tankas, and other well-worn forms should be avoided entirely. We also like to feature a poet rather than a poem, so submissions must include at least three poems. Each submission is judged as a whole.

A small honorarium ($10) will be paid for first serial and archival rights for accepted submissions and all contributors get a Meet Our Contributor post. All original poetry will be considered for Best of the Net and Pushcart nominations at the end of the year.

There is no fee to submit, but please read and follow the guidelines below:

  • Include three to five poems in a .doc or .docx file with page breaks or three blank lines between poems. One entry per poet per issue and a maximum of thirty non-space lines per poem. Title the file with your first initial, last name, and the issue period for which you’re submitting. (e.g. Poetry_AHunt_Spring_2025)
  • On the first line in bold, please include your Name, Mailing Address, Email Address, and Phone Number. At this time, we’re only accepting submissions from poets residing in the United States or Canada.
  • Send an email with the file attached to poetry @ phillychapbookreview.org with the subject line, “Original Poetry:” followed by your name.
  • A cover letter is optional, but it can’t hurt. We’ll be judging your poetry, but if it’s a close call we might let our feelings decide. The cover letter should be in the body of your email.
  • Only literary poetry, please. This doesn’t mean that poems can’t fall into a genre, but if they do, they should be meaningful to serious poetry readers.
  • Any entries that denigrate another person on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual preference, or disability will be discarded. We are a small publication run by a disabled person who loves the great variety of voices in poetry.
  • Poems may not be previously published in a periodical. (We define periodicals as magazines, websites, blogs, or social media feeds with more than 500 followers.)
  • Simultaneous submissions are okay, but please notify immediately if a submitted poem is no longer available.
  • Please be sure to let us know if a poem’s spacing/placement is nonstandard and important. This isn’t disqualifying, but we want to make sure we read it properly.
  • To allow others a chance, if we’ve published your work before, please wait two full issue periods after the one in which you appear before submitting again.

Submitting Books for Consideration

  • Digital galleys and advance reader copies of poetry books can be sent in PDF format with a brief description and author bio to the email below.
  • Feel free to include a brief pitch about the book and the author. Tell us why we should love a book and prioritize it. Not too long, please. We may request for a physical copy to be sent, if chosen for review.
  • All books sent will also be considered for independent review by PCR editor and independent critic, Aiden Hunt.

Digital book submissions: submissions { @ } phillychapbookreview.org
Please begin subject line with “Chapbook Submission:” or “Full-Length Submission:” followed by the book title and name of author.
(e.g. Chapbook Submission: Sufferhead by A.L. Nielsen)

  • If you’re interested in having a poem from your recent or forthcoming poetry book considered for our Front Page excerpt features, please include the names of up to five poems from which to choose with your book submission. If chosen, the poet will be asked to provide a few sentences about the poem to run along with book information and purchase link.
  • Excerpted poems may be previously published, but let us know so that we can give proper credit. We favor poems that are not already freely available on the internet (i.e. other literary publications without paywalls. Posted on personal social media/author websites is fine).
  • Someone personally responds to every book submission to confirm that it’s been added for consideration and/or round-ups, or to notify if there is something more we need.

Interview Availability

  • Our interviews are only for chapbook authors. Please let us know if the author is available for interview pieces. Make sure that we have a copy of your chapbook for consideration, if so.