Blue Unicorn About Since 1977, a tough little poetry journal called Blue Unicorn has been going its own way. Long based in the U. C. Berkeley environs (now across a bridge in San Rafael), it is in but not exactly of the San Francisco Bay Area poetry scene. Its subscribers and contributors come from 30 states and 6 countries.Blue Unicorn looks for poems that you couldn't possibly confuse with prose. That distinctiveness may come from form--we welcomed rhyme and meter when these tools were all but banished elsewhere. But the kick can come just as well (or also) from original imagery, gleaming sensory description, or the imaginative handling of idea. We like poems that deserve, even demand, repeated reading. We also take translations, always looking for less familiar poets and languages, and the occasional piece of art.Recent contributors include Jane Blanchard, Michael Cadnum, X. J. Kennedy, Daniel Langton, Constance Rowell Mastores, Susan McLean, Patricia Nelson, James B. Nicola, Simon Perchik. Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1977 Publication Medium & Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationPublished 2 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed Blue Unicorn's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. Normal AcceptanceBlue Unicorn's overall acceptance rate is within a normal range for magazines. Less ResponsiveBlue Unicorn's overall rate of non-response is higher than most magazines. Collapse section Poetry Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 5 pieces.Poetry Forms:Formal verse, Free verse, Short poetry.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Token payment (under US$5 per poem) to Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Pay ranges from Token payment to Professional payment. Details: Variable rates in the range of USD $25-$50.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Visual Art Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Artwork: Art Media: Open to all/most Art Media.Art Styles:Open to all/most Art Styles.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Semi-pro payment (US$10-49 per piece) to Professional payment (US$50 or more per piece) Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Details: Variable rates in the range of USD $25-$50.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Image. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook Facebook Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Blue Unicorn Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: All Categories Poetry Visual Art Group by submission Include outliers Accuracy We have received 122 reports from 102 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 0 min | 69.5 mean avg | 72.5 median | 346 max days (113.9 std dev) Responses 90.17 % Acceptances: 10.66 % of submissions accepted (72.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 12.75 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here. Rejections: 79.51 % (66.2 avg. days per rejection) | 27.8 % personal, 49.5 % form, 22.7 % unspecified Non-Responses 6.56 % Lost/Returned: 0.82 % (111.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as lost or returned) Never Responded: 5.74 % (220.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 3.28 % (16.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 28 responses are pending (2 min | 95.8 mean avg | 52.0 median | 411 max days waiting | 451.3 std dev) from 28 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The editors will try to make a decision within 60 days. (56.6 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 60 days.) Submissions are acknowledged within 5 days on average. Most recent response reported was received on 01 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 18 Jul 2026. Date compiled: 17 Sep 2026 23:52 UTC (2 hours, 26 minutes ago). View report of recent responses from this project Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 02 Aug 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only