External Resources

There are many sites where you can share your poems on the internet. Do not forget, a poem placed on the internet is published and cannot be entered as an unpublished poem in contests where this is a requirement.​

Rules need to be read carefully and followed exactly. In a few cases, kind-hearted contest chairs will overlook your deviations, but most will disqualify poems that ignore one or more guidelines, either intentionally or carelessly. Why waste your time and postage if your submission never gets into the judge's or editor's hands?​

The abbreviation "SASE" means "self-addressed stamped envelope" and should be included with each request for information/rules and with all contest or potential publication submissions (unless guidelines specifically say "no SASE.") Send a #10 (business-size 9.5"x4.5") envelope.

Read up on copyright and authors rights. Find references on the University of Iowa Libraries. Read this article on "Copyright for Writers."

Interested in submitting to an Iowa-based or Iowa-affiliated publication? Iowa City Poetry has a great list of resources for you!