Blue Rivers: Poetry Fall 2026 Gold Star Program Gold Star Free Tip Jar Option

Blue Rivers welcomes poetry submissions in English for publication to our website. We are looking for poems that are clear, resonant, and accessible. We especially appreciate poems that use vivid language and take creative risks.

Submissions are open August 15 - September 30.

During the current submission window, selected poems will be published in the Fall.

Authors published during this season will also be eligible for future projects, including print anthologies and online publication.

While we appreciate the many different ways of writing poetry, not every poem will be a good fit for our publication.

Thank you for sharing your work with us. Please understand that a “no” is more about whether the work is a good fit for this particular season, than a judgment about the work itself.

We tend to favor poems that:

• draw readers in quickly
• use vivid language without requiring specialized knowledge
• demonstrate attention to craft
• take creative risks
• create a lasting impression

We are open to both contemporary free verse and more traditional forms. For technical reasons, we cannot accept visual poetry.

Please do not submit:

• erotic poetry
• political rants
• hate speech
• graphic violence
• AI generated content (see use of AI below)

• Submit up to 3 poems per submission.
• File formats: .docx or PDF.
• 750 words or less per poem
• Anonymous poem files: please do not include your name anywhere on the poems themselves.
• Author identification: include your name and a brief author bio only where the submission form requests it (not in the manuscript).

Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Previously published poems are also welcome.

If a poem you submitted to Blue Rivers is published elsewhere, we allow simultaneous publication. If you need to withdraw it, please contact us so that we can accomodate your request.

You retain the copyright to your work. By submitting, you grant Blue Rivers the right to publish the accepted poem on our website.

You must be the original author of the poem. You cannot submit work on behalf of other people. You must agree to this statement:

“I confirm that I am the author of the work submitted and that I have the right to grant Blue Rivers permission to publish it.”

We do not accept AI generated poetry.

We respond as quickly as we can. Thanks in advance for your patience and for trusting us with your work.