Thank you for your interest in submitting to the BPJ. 

We’re open to a wide range of forms and styles in contemporary poetry. We’re always watching for new poets, quickened language, and work that offers a fresh purchase on the political or social landscape. 

We respond to manuscripts we know aren't for us as soon as we can. The rest we circulate among the editorial board members and continue to winnow. At long-weekend-long meetings, we read aloud those poems in which we have strong interest and collaborate to choose an issue from among them.

For more information about the journal, our various call for submissions, and our editorial process—and to read work we’ve published in the past—visit our website at www.bpj.org. 

SUBMISSION PERIODS

▸ We read regular submissions during two open reading periods:

• Our Winter Open Reading Period runs from January 1 through January 31 
• Our Summer Open Reading Period runs from July 1 through July 31 

Note about open reading periods: We can receive 800 fee-free submissions per month in our open reading periods. If we reach 800, submissions will close until our next open reading period. 

▸ We consider submissions for the Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry from February 1 to April 30. 

▸ We consider manuscripts for the Chad Walsh Chapbook Series from October 1 to November 30.

Guidelines for all reading periods and contests are available on our website. See the submission forms below for specific guidelines pertaining to current and upcoming calls.