The Poetry Journal has officially opened its call for submissions for its second issue, inviting poets from across the globe to contribute work centred around an “African experience”.
Writers are encouraged to explore everyday human experiences through creative and accessible poetry.
Submission Guidelines
- The submission is open to all. Submissions must centre around an “African experience.”
- All poems must be original. Clichés and plagiarism are strictly prohibited.
- Each poet can submit a maximum of 2 poems in a single Microsoft Word document.
- A brief biography (max 300 words) must be included in the same document as the poems. Keep it simple and factual, avoiding puffery.
- Submissions previously published elsewhere are accepted, but poets must mention where and when the work was published.
- This is a one-time submission form. Re-submissions or edits are not allowed after submission.
The Poetry Journal’s editorial team is particularly interested in poems that spotlight the mundane moments of life, using wit, irony, and humour. They encourage poems that are unpretentious, relatable, and free of excessive political or activist themes. The Journal’s focus is on celebrating the shared human experience, finding universal insights in even the most trivial events.
Key dates for the submission cycle include a review period from January to March 2025, with selected poets being contacted via email. The editorial process will follow, running from April to June 2025, during which poets will work with editors to fine-tune their submissions.
The winners of the Poetry Journal 2025 Prizes will be announced in July 2025, with cash awards for the top three entries: ₦300,000 for the winner, ₦150,000 for second place, and ₦75,000 for third place (all figures are in Nigerian Naira).
To send in your entry, kindly click here or visit www.www.poetryjournal.org to learn more.
Best of luck to all applicants!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
