Are you a poet based in Australia?
Are you looking for opportunities to publish some poetry you have written?
Below you’ll find 17 top Australian publishers of poetry.
1. Australian Poetry Journal
Based out of Melbourne, Australian Poetry was founded in 2011. Their bi-annual literary journal, the Australian Poetry Journal is the only in-print literary journal that strives to publish and promote works of poetry exclusively by Australian poets. Australian Poetry exists as a national poetry body that seeks to connect Australian poets with the resources and audience they deserve to develop their craft.
If you’re interested in having your works featured in one of their upcoming issues, you’re strongly encouraged to review their submission guidelines prior to sending anything in for consideration. Be sure to double-check submission deadlines, as there are very specific reading periods. You’re asked to send up to three previously unpublished poems, along with a brief 50-word bio and your contact information via email. For general inquiries, you can reach out to Australian Poetry’s team through their website’s online contact form, or you can call +61 3 9094 7829.
2. Axon Journal
Supported by the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canberra, Axon is an biannual online literary journal that publishes works of short stories, poetry, creative essays, and book reviews. They have featured poetry by poets like Sandra Renew, Marcelle Freiman, Autumn Royal and Lucy Van.
They currently have an open call for poetry via email for their special issue Poetry on the Move: Small Leaps, Giant Steps, which is scheduled to be published October 21st, 2019. They are especially interested in poetry that deals with themes of conceptions of truth, embodied knowledge, poetic modes of thinking and cognition, and so much more. You’re strongly encouraged to review Axon Journal’s submission guidelines to make sure your work meets all minimum requirements for consideration.
3. Brain drip
Brain drip is an online Australian literary magazine that publishes works of short stories, poetry, creative essays, and book reviews from Australian writers. They have published poems by poets like Fleur Beaupert, Jethro Morris, and Mili Chongwe.
They are currently accepting poetry submissions through their online submissions form. Poetry should be between 8-80 lines in length, and you’re permitted to enter a “suite” of poems (several shorter poems intended to be published as a collection) in one submission. You’re allowed to submit up to four submissions every six weeks. If you’re interested in having your work featured on Brain drip, be sure to review their submission guidelines. For general inquiries, you can reach out to the team through their website’s online contact form.
4. Going Down Swinging
Founded in 1979, Going Down Swinging is an Australian literary journal that publishes their editions in print, digitally, and even produced audio anthologies. They pride themselves on their ability to discover and promote works of poetry, stories, reviews, opinions, and profiles from Australian writers from all walks of life. They’ve featured works by poets like Patrick Lenton, Myfanway Mcdonald, and Fiona Wright.
They are currently accepting submissions for poetry, but have no specific guidelines for the medium. All submissions should be sent via email, and you’re strongly encouraged to review a few of their previous issues to get a sense as to whether your work would be a good fit with the press. For general inquiries, you can reach out to the journal’s editor via email.
5. Not Very Quiet
Founded in 2017, Not Very Quiet is a biannual online Australian journal that specializes in the publication of women’s poetry, written by both Australian and international poets. The team at Not Very Quiet firmly believes in providing female writers the opportunity to share their work with the world, especially in an industry that can sometimes provide more obstacles than help for marginalized voices. They have featured poems like “I am just a girl” by Joanna Acevedo, “Weed Garden” by Magdalena Ball, and “Watching My Mother Love” by Harley Chapman.
They are currently accepting poetry submissions for their sixth issue, which is scheduled to be published in March 2020. They are currently accepting submissions up until January or February of 2020. Their editorial team is especially interested in poems that explore the subjects of intersectionality of women and poetry, and are looking for projects that are largely exploratory and questioning. Ideally, poems should be under 32 lines in length, and prose poems should be between 250 to 300 words in length. You are allowed to submit up to three poems per submission period. All poems may be submitted through their online submissions form. Please be sure to review Not Very Quiet’s submission guidelines before proceeding. Should you have any questions, you can contact the editors via email.
6. Overland
Based out of Melbourne, Overland is an Australian literary magazine that publishes quarterly in both print and online. They operate around the goal of providing a platform for marginalized voices to share their stories and poetry with their expansive readership through the Small Press Network. Founded in 1954, Overland publishes progressive works of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art.
The editorial team at Overland is currently accepting poetry submissions through their online submissions form. They pay $150 (AUD) for accepted poems. Due to the high volume of submissions that they receive, they ask that you only submit up to three poems per publishing quarter. They’re interested in highly engaging poets, and are especially interested in works by women writers of color. For general inquiries, you can reach out via email, or call +61 3 9919 4163.
7. Pencilled In
If you’re an Asian Australian poet, Pencilled In is definitely interested in your work! Supported by the Queensland Writers Centre, Pencilled In is a literary journal that publishes works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and illustration in both digital and print formats.
They are currently accepting general submissions via email. You’re asked to include your poetry in the format of a Word document, a brief publication history, and up to three poems for consideration per person. They are happy to pay $75 for one poem, or $100 for collections of poems. Be sure to review their submission guidelines to ensure your work meets all minimum requirements for consideration. For general inquiries, you can reach out to their team through their website’s online contact form.
8. Plumwood Mountain
Plumwood Mountain is an online Australian literary journal that specializes in publishing works of ecopoetry and general ecopoetics. Based out of Seaford, Plumwood Mountain has featured poets like Alison Whittaker, Elena Gomez, Bruach Mhor, and Mindy Gill. They are currently accepting submissions for their latest issue, which is scheduled to be published August 2019.
You’re allowed to submit up to three previously unpublished poems, with each poem in its own individual Word document. Poems should be no longer than 50 lines in length, or two pages. All submissions can be sent via email, and should be anonymous, so do not include your contact information or name with the poems themselves. In your initial email, you’re encouraged to provide that information, along with a brief biography. For more information, you can review their submission guidelines.
9. Quadrant
Based out of Balmain, Quadrant is an Australian literary magazine that publishes up to ten times a year. Every year, they publish up to 200 original works of poetry, and have featured poems by poets like John Whitworth, Andrew Landsown, Knute Skinner, and Edith Speers.
If you’re interested in submitting your work to Quadrant, you can do so via email. They ask that you include your name in the header or footer of each poem’s Word document. All poems should be attached individually. You’re strongly encouraged to browse through some of their existing poems to get a sense as to whether your work would be a good fit with the magazine. For general inquiries, you can reach out to their staff through their website’s online contact form, via email, or call +61 3 8317 8147.
10. The Lifted Brow
Founded in 2007, the Lifted Brow is a not-for-profit literary publishing organization that operates out of Melbourne. Their primary aim is the discovery, publication, and promotion of Australian authors and artists. Some of their contributors include renowned writers like Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Frank Moorhouse, and Diane Williams. They are unfortunately closed to submissions at this time, but you’re strongly encouraged to check back at a later date to see if this status has changed. In the meantime, you can browse through their existing collection of published poetry to see if your work would be a good fit.
11. Verity La
Founded in 2010, Verity La is an online Australian not-for-profit creative arts journal that publishes works of short fiction, poetry, cultural commentary, photography, reviews, and interviews. Supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, Verity La is able to pay its writers up to $100 (AUD) for their accepted work.
They accept submissions of poetry in the months of March and August for their segment, The Bravery of High Octane Poetry, and are especially interested in poems that bravely explore concepts of the heart. You’re strongly encouraged to review their previously published collection of poems to get a sense of what they’re looking for. If you’re interested in working with Verity Lane, you can submit your poems through their online submissions form. You can review their general submission guidelines for more information.
12. Voiceworks Magazine
Voiceworks Magazine is an Australian literary magazine that specializes in publishing works from young Australian authors, artists, and poets under the age of 25. They only accept work from Australians or Australians living abroad. They have featured poems by Kat Capel, Mitch Tomas Cave, and many more budding poets. Voiceworks Magazine publishes their work in both print and digital formats, offering their readers a chance to enjoy some of Australia’s finest creative works on nearly any platform.
They’re most recent submission deadline has just passed, but you’re strongly encouraged to check back at a later date when the editorial team reopens for submissions. In the meantime, you can review their submission guidelines to prepare your poems for consideration. You’re allowed to submit up to three poems, ideally no more than 100 lines each. You can find Voiceworks’ comprehensive poetry submission guide here for more details. Voiceworks Magazine pays its accepted writers $100 (AUD) for written work. For general inquiries, you can contact the editorial team via email.
13. Westerly Magazine
Westerly Magazine was founded in 1956 and has specialized in publishing fiction and poetry that features Western Australian voices and perspectives. Published through Westerly Centre at the University of Western Australia, Westerly Magazine prints twice a year in July and November, and also publishes its works digitally for a free special online issue. Westerly has featured work by poets such as Jelena Dinic, Thom Sullivan, and Raelke Grimmer.
Submissions for their upcoming July 2019 issue are now closed. However, you’re strongly encouraged to check back soon to find out when they’ll be accepting work for their next publication. In the meantime, you’re more than welcome to review their submission guidelines to prepare your work for consideration. All poems can be sent through their online submissions form. You’re asked to include a cover letter that provides your name, contact information, and a brief two-sentence biography along with your submission. For more information or general inquiries, you can reach out through their website’s online contact form or call +61 8 6488 3403.
14. Meniscus
Meniscus is an online literary journal that is published by the Australasian Association of Writing Programs. They publish works of poetry, short fiction, and creative essays twice a year in April and October. Meniscus has featured works by writers like Sudha Balagopal, Fleur Beaupert, John Brantingham, and Owen Bullock.
They are currently closed to submissions at this time, but will reopen in August/September for their upcoming October 2019 issue. If you’re interested in publishing with Meniscus, you’re asked to submit a portfolio of up to five poems through their online submissions form. Be sure to include a brief author biography and confirmation that all your submitted works are previously unpublished. For more information, you can review their submission guidelines. If you have general inquiries, you can reach out to the editorial team through Mensicus’ online contact form.
15. The Australian Book Review
The Australian Book Review was founded in 1961, and then revived in 1978 after a momentary lapse in the year 1974. This not-for-profit organization aims to promote and distribute creative writing works by Australians for Australians to foster an ever-growing and rich literary world. The Australian Book Review publishes reviews, essays, commentaries, interviews, and new creative writing like short fiction and poetry. Based out of Southbank, they also host a number of prestigious international prizes and writers’ fellowships, national events, tours, and paid editorial internships.
They are currently accepting poetry submissions via email, and are willing to pay $400 (AUD) per accepted poem. Please note that the Australian Book Review only features two or three poems each issue, so competition is incredibly fierce. The editorial team is particularly interested in poetry that’s between 15 to 40 lines in length. All poems should be submitted in Word format, and they ask that you only submit up to four poems at one time for consideration. If interested in your poetry, a member of the editorial team should reach out to you within a month of submission. You may also wish to consider their Peter Porter Poetry Prize (worth $8500), which will open up July 2019.
16. Meanjin Quarterly
Originally founded in Brisbane in 1940, Meanjin Quarterly has since moved to Melbourne where it continues to publish creative works writing like essays, fiction, memoirs, poetry, and even online podcasts. Meanjin is a literary magazine that loves to work and feature Australian writers, and has worked with writers like Judith Wright, Donald Horne, and Peter Carey. Meanjin is one of Australia’s oldest literary magazines, and they publish four times a year in both print and digital formats.
They are currently closed to submissions at this time, but you’re strongly encouraged to check back at a later date to try and be featured in one of 2020’s issues. The editorial team will only consider work by Australian writers. For more information, you can reach out to their team via email.
17. StylusLit
StylusLit is an Australian biannual online literary journal that publishes works of poetry, short fiction, novel excerpts, creative nonfiction, interviews, and various reviews. All of their issues are archived by PANDORA at the National Library of Australia. Their current issue features poetry by poets like Richard James Allen, Rachael Mead, and Rodney Williams.
StylusLit prints once in March and September, and only accepts previously unpublished works. Submission periods for their March issue take place between November and December, and submission periods for their September issue take place in May and June. If you’re interested in submitting some of your work, be sure to review their submission guidelines. You can submit up to three poems in the body of your email.
Are you aware of any other Australian publishers of poetry? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.