Poetry Northwest is published semi-annually in April and October. We also publish new work on our website, to supplement our print edition. All work submitted to us during our reading period will be considered for the print edition, the website, or both, at the editors’ discretion.

We welcome unsolicited submissions of poetry only, original or in translation, at this time. Please submit no more than five poems at a time, and no more than one submission per reading period. Simultaneous submissions are accepted with advance indication and prompt notice upon acceptance elsewhere.

Please note that our reading period begins on September 15 and ends on March 15. Manuscripts submitted outside this period will be returned unread. We understand that getting a decision quickly is important, and our goal is to respond to unsolicited submissions in 8 - 10 weeks. Please be patient. We read everything carefully. If submitting by mail enclose an SASE for notification. We cannot respond to manuscripts without SASE. Manuscripts will be recycled.

Please note: for our spring 2012 issue, Poetry Northwest is seeking poems and prose comentary on the theme of Science, from any aspect or angle, whether general or specific to a particular branch. The Science Issue will explore interrelations between the languages of poetry and science. Poems not touching on this theme will be considered for the Fall 2012 issue and beyond.

We cannot consider anything that has been previously published or accepted for publication in any form, including work that has appeared online. Due to the large volume of submissions we receive, we cannot offer individual criticism.

Poems submitted should be in English. When submitting translations, please include both English and origianl versions.

Payment consists of two copies of the issue in which your work appears, plus a year’s subscription. All poems selected for publication are automatically considered for the Roethke, Hugo, and (new this year) Kizer Prizes. These prizes are selected and awarded annually by the editors for the best work appearing in the magazine, print or online editions, and include a cash award. (In 2011, each winner will be awarded $200).

Poetry Northwest holds first serial rights for material that we publish, and the right to reprint that material in other formats, including (but not limited to) online, eReaders, archival anthologies, etc. The copyright automatically reverts to the author upon first publication. We do not require that material be copyrighted prior to submission.

The best way to know if your work is right for us is to read back issues, which are available for purchase (if in stock) through this website. We look forward to reading your best work.