We receive hundreds of submissions, but publish no more than twenty poets a year, four of them by invitation-only. Response time for the average submission: Between a day and a year.
 
Ampersand Poetry Journal prefers experienced published writers. We strongly prefer previously published works where rights have reverted to the author, but we will accept a mix that includes a few new works. We are looking for beautifully written poems that speak of common topics in an uncommon way, or discuss uncommon topics without elevation. We want a variety of poems with unique metaphors, interesting points of view, fresh imagery, and a strong voice. We prefer free verse written in second or third person. We want the best work you have ever written.

We decline poems with erotica, graphic language, cursing, rants, backward phrasing, archaic words, performance pieces and experimental forms, political and religious propaganda. Rhyming works strongly discouraged. We do not publish manuscripts or epic poems. We reserve the right to request changes in spelling, syntax, punctuation, or formatting before accepting any poem. We no longer consider submissions from poets between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one unless all of their submitted works have been previously published.

We decline all third party submissions, and submissions that do not fit our formatting guidelines. We reserve the right to decline any work at any time. Publishing credits are verified before acceptance of poems.

IN THE NOTE (COVER LETTER)
We require permission to publish; contact information (full name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address); third person biography (between 50 and 100 words long); and the titles of the poems in the body of your e-mail.

We always publish full name, e-mail address, city, state (or province) and country with biography and photo. If you wish us to include a URL, or your full mailing address or a phone number, tell us in your cover letter.

We suggest you include a paragraph of prior publishers, any college or other educational information, if any, and mention of family.

ATTACHED TO YOUR E-MAIL
Required: Include between six and ten poems in a single (one) MS Word (.doc) file, or Rich Text (.rtf) format. No MS Works documents. If you send us six poems in six attachments, we'll delete your submission. Do not include anything in the attachment but the poem titles, the poems, and where previously published, publisher information.

SEND TO:  AmpersandPoetry-Journal@yahoo.com

Ready a color close-up and other short previously published poems; do not send until requested. Before you submit your work, please read a portion of the journal.

We have already chosen poetry for much of 2008, and have a huge number of submissions in-house to consider before we may be able to assign your submission to a reading panel. Please do not ask us to let you know if we've received your submission. If you receive no answer within six months, consider resubmitting with new works and an updated biography.

If we have already accepted your work for publication, feel free to write at anytime with questions or comments.

Best of luck with your writing.

Warmest regards, 

Mary Margaret Carlisle, Project Director
Leo F. Waltz, Webmaster

Sol Magazine, Ampersand Poetry Journal, Poetry Works Workshops, Aplomado Falcon Literary News, Texas Poetry Events Page:  http://Sol-Magazine-Projects.org
 

Revised January, 2008