Are you a poet in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
Do you know want to publish your work and are looking for a poetry publishing house?
Continue reading to learn about 19 top poetry publishers in the UK.
1. Carcanet
When it comes to poetry publishers in the UK, you’ll hardly find a company as popular and revered as Carcanet. Established in 1969 by Michael Hind, Carcanet publishes beautiful periodical poetry, creative short fiction and compelling blurbs from both amateurs and experienced writer. During the several years they’ve in business, Carcanet has been continuously lauded for the kind of content they publish. In 2000, they managed to bag the ‘Small Publisher Of The Year’ award from Sunday Times. This was immediately followed by four of their in-house authors winning Nobel Prizes for their outstanding contributions. To add to this, nine more authors were awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal For Poetry and the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. As you’d naturally guess, the company gives immense importance to quality and your work will only make the cut if it’s of exceptional quality. Since Carcanet has an open submissions policy, you can always reach out to them on this page.
P.S- Carcanet only accepts submissions from published authors.
2. Faber & Faber
Established in 1929, Faber & Faber is one of oldest publishing houses across the globe. Like Carcanet, they too have a long list of authors who’ve been the recipient of the Nobel Prize and the Booker Prize. Faber & Faber had given a strong emphasis on quality since their earliest days. And that is exactly how they came to collaborate with leading authors like Ted Hughes, T.S Eliot and Sylvia Plath. Over the last couple of years, the company has rolled out excellent poetry titles like ‘Anomaly’, ‘My Bed Is An Air Balloon’ and ‘In Parenthesis’. These books have been loved far and wide for their style, content and creative tone. So if you think your works can match the excellence of this publishing house, visit this page to send in your submissions.
3. Bloodaxe Books
If you’re looking to be represented by one of the biggest poetry book publishers of the UK, Bloodaxe Books can be your best bet! Established by talented publisher Neil Astley, this company has been in business for the last four decades. And guess what? With their amazing sales, and equally amazing poetry, they’re still going strong! The company is widely lauded for their unconventional poems that doesn’t just strike the right chord, but also leaves a lasting impression among readers. Some of their best titles include- ‘Pretend You Don’t Know Me’ and ‘Collected Poems’ by Ken Smith. Luckily enough, the platform is now open for submissions. So if you’ve penned something on a similar note, feel free to contact them on this page.
4. Penned In The Margins
Penned In The Margins is one of those rare publishers who represent the works of inspiring, fresh authors who have an entirely different perspective about the world. Established in 2006, this UK based company only focuses on print and spoken word poetry. And the best part- some of their authors have went on to be leading poets and playwrights. ‘Penned In The Margins’ have been consistently lauded for their efforts, and last year they also managed to win the ‘Clarissa Luard award For Independent Publishers’. As of now, the platform is actively seeking submissions. So if you’re looking to collaborate with them, read their submission guidelines here.
5. Happenstance Press
Happenstance Press is yet another leading connoisseur of poetry books and creative pamphlets in the UK. Although they’ve been in business for only a couple of years, they’ve managed to establish their reputation as one of the most prestigious poetry publishing platforms in the nation. When it comes to poetry, Happenstance doesn’t stick to a specific genre. This is why you will find almost every genre and subgenre represented in their poetry. Some of their best works include ‘Notes for Lighting a Fire’ and ‘Rider at the Crossing’. Since the company only publishes a select few unsolicited works, it is always better to contact them with a short blurb. If they like your blurb, you will be invited to come up with a poem for their annual volume. You can visit this page for more details about their submission guidelines.
6. Bad Betty Press
Bad Betty Press is a relatively new publishing house that publishes beautiful poems from emerging authors. Nestled in the heart of London, this press is fond of content that is both compelling and quirky. So if you are known for writing out-of-the-box poems and narratives- this is one of the best publishing platforms for you. As of now, Bad Betty is looking for poems on the topic of mental health. So if you have some of your best works to share, visit this page for complete details.
P.S- Although they are focusing on mental health, Bad Betty is open for any and every poem as long as it’s compelling and unconventional.
7. Arc Publications
If writing contemporary poetry is your forte, Arc Publications is an ideal platform for you. Best known for their poetry, translations and music imprints, this Lancashire based company rolls out 50+ new poetry titles every year. Although they do not have any specific hard and fast rule for publishing poetry, they’re particularly fond of established authors who’ve already been represented by leading publishing houses. As of now, the company is only accepting new titles from UK and Ireland based authors. So if you have a couple of good works to share, to contact them on this page right away!
8. The Poetry Business
As you’d already guess from their name, ‘The Poetry Business’ is a leading publisher of poetry and creative journals in the UK. Based in Sheffield, this company has been publishing quality poetry for the last two decades. During this time, they’ve come up with excellent works from leading authors like Jane Aspinall, Mike Barlow, Sally Baker and others. Unlike other leading publishing houses, ‘The Poetry Business’ also comes up with frequent workshops and poetry competitions. You can visit this page for more details about their upcoming poetry competition. Alternatively, you can also head here to send in your submissions.
9. Lapwing
Based in Belfast, Lapwing is a small, independent publishing house that publishes creative, compelling and outstanding poetry. They’ve been in business for more than two decades, and during this time, they’ve worked with both local and globally renowned poets. Some of their best-selling works include- ‘Be Not Afraid’, ‘Conflict Studies’ and ‘Vertical Montage’. So if you have written something on the same line, contact them on this page right away!
P.S- Do note that lapwing doesn’t accept electronic submissions.
10. Salt
If you’re looking to collaborate with a quintessentially British poetry publishing platform- Salt can be an excellent option. Established in 1999, the company started out by publishing poetry titles. Eventually, as they started gaining more popularity, prose and creative blurbs were added to their portfolio. Salt has been constantly lauded by critics and readers for their exceptionally compelling content. Around eight years back, they even managed to bag the Nielsen Innovation Award. Salt has published more than 1000 titles and they are constantly looking to add more outstanding works in their list of published contents. So if your best poetry pieces to share, reach out to them on this page.
11. Neon Books
Are you fond of slipstream writing? Do you love penning down quirky, unconventional chapbooks? Do you love experimenting with different forms and styles of poetry? If your answers are yes, neon Books is just the right platform for you. This small independent publishing house rolls out a limited few, carefully chosen poetry pieces that manage to leave a lasting impression on readers. They are fond of contemporary themes, and like many others on our list, they too follow an open submissions policy. You can always check this page for their submission guidelines.
12. Seren Books
One of the biggest publishers of the UK, Seren Books was established almost three decades back in the small town of Bridgend. Over the time, they came up with outstanding titles and collaborate with leading names, thereby carving a niche of their own. While they publish fiction, short stories and travelogues, poetry continues to be their forte. So if you’re fond of writing poems, reach out to them with your works on this page.
13. Alba Publishing
If you’re fond of penning down haiku and senryu poetry- Alba Publishing can be your go-to option. Over the last couple of years, this Uxbridge based publishing house has rolled out hundreds of poetry titles that have been widely lauded for their form and content. However, since the company is founded and managed by veteran publisher Kim Richardson, they follow lengthy process of acceptance. Alba is extremely picky about the content they publish, so your work needs to be of exceptional quality to make the cut. Some of their best-selling titles include ‘A Blind Bit Of Difference’ and ‘A Thousand Sparks’. So if you’ve penned poetry on a similar line, contact them on this page right away!
14. Hercules Editions
Hercules Editions is a small independent press that publishes both poetry and prose titles on art and archival elements. Since the platform derives their name from William Blake’s last home in Hercules Road, you’d already get an idea about their obsession with poetry. Although they haven’t been in business for long, Hercules Editions have managed to establish their reputation with their strong focus on creative and out of the box elements. Some of their best titles include- ‘Hammersmith’, ‘Heart Archive’ and ‘Ormonde’. In case you loved their poems and have written something similar (or better) feel free to reach out to them on this page.
15. Black Apollo Press
Although they’re relatively new in business, Black Apollo Press has already carved their niche with their carefully selected, contemporary poetry collections. Their poems are best known for their unconventional themes, and modern approach. Some of their best-selling titles include ‘Mariner’s Chronicle’ and ‘The Hearing Silence’. Luckily enough, they are currently open for submissions. So if you’re looking to collaborate with them, contact them via email here.
16. Nine Arches Press
Nine Arches Press was established around eight years back to represent and publicize the works of newbie poets. Over the time, they evolved as one of the leading poetry publishers of the UK for their compelling and diverse range of poems. While they’ve published many best-selling titles, two of their leading works are ‘Unwritten’ and ‘Under The Radar’. Both these titles explore unique themes and they’re truly unconventional in terms of style and content. So if you’re fond of penning down similar pieces, check their submission guidelines on this page.
17. Dream Catcher
Dream Catcher was established in 1996 when publisher Paul Sutherland wanted to create a platform for sharing and discussing poetry, prose and different writing styles. Around 22 years down the line, the company is still going strong. Nestled in the corners of York, this platform comes up with compelling, edgy titles that keep readers hooked till the end of the page. So if you’re looking to be a part of their ever-expanding team of writers, here’s a quick sneak peek of their submission guidelines.
18. Shearsman
Established by publisher Tony Frazer, Shearsman was initially an online magazine for English and American poets. The platform soon gained momentum for their quality works, and within the next couple of years, it started being operated as a poetry press. Shearsman currently produces fifty poetry titles every year and almost all their works are praised for their form and style. Since the platform is open for all, they also have an open submissions policy. So in case you’re looking to know more about the guidelines, visit this page right away!
19. Verve
Verve is a new, independent Birmingham based publishing house that promotes and works with Birmingham’s poetic talents. The company was co-found by Stuart Bartholomew and Amerah Saleh, both of whom welcome flamboyance and creativity among their poets. Since they are new in business, they are inviting every kind of poem regardless of the genre. However, the company still continues to harbor a strong fondness for poems with diverse and exciting themes. As of now, Verve is open for submissions and can be reached out on this page.
Are you aware of any other poetry publishers in the UK? Please tell us about them in the comments bow below!
I am Ruposhree, a regular happy-go-lucky girl with not-so-regular (read extraordinary) dreams. I love reading, obsessing over random TV series, dreaming of unrealistic vacations, and most importantly, trying my hand at writing. I want to believe that I somehow have a way with words and maybe one day I’ll manage to see and be everything that I ever dreamt of!