Our motto is “poetry that sticks.” We want memorable poetry by freeworld and incarcerated poets.

This doesn’t mean your poems have to be shocking, overly sentimental, or overly intellectual. (Remember Chekhov’s advice to “be cold.”) We simply want poems that stick to our hearts and minds.

Generally, we like poems that are accessible (rather than abstract) and that include concrete details, images, and even a story. Check out our first lit mag issue here.

We read in July & December for our lit mag; we read in September for chapbooks & collections.

Guidelines

lit mag

We publish our lit mag in spring and fall and take submissions in July and December. Submit up to 3 poems. Simultaneous submissions OK. Previously published poems OK if you have the rights (please send previous publication information, including a web link if you have it). We require a bio up to 100 words. Bios can include location, previous publications and awards, job/career, writing inspiration and influences, email/socials/website, and hobbies. We aim to respond within 2 months. Submissions are $3, which fund operation costs & communication fees with prisoners.

Submit to Duosuma here or or contact us for alternate submission methods.

Poets keep copyright of their work after publication. If your piece is published elsewhere, you do not need to withdraw it if you keep the rights to it; however, if we select it, let us know where it was published (along with the URL) so we can give appropriate credit.

chapbooks & collections

We take submissions in September for chapbooks & collections of 15 to 50 pages of poetry. This page count does not include front or back matter (acknowledgments, title page, table of contents, etc.) but your document can contain them. Please do not include identifying information.

We recommend using 12 point Times New Roman font. Start each poem on a new page. Single-space your poems unless double spacing is intentional.

If applicable, include an acknowledgments page to indicate which poems are published elsewhere. Please aim for at least half of the poems to be previously unpublished.

If you have used AI to create, edit, or otherwise produce your poems, mention this at the beginning of your manuscript. We want to know how you used it and to what purpose; this does not automatically disqualify you from publication.

We aim to respond within 4 months. We charge $15 for submissions, which are used for operation costs (ISBNs, website and URL fees, printing, etc.) and communication with incarcerated poets.

If your manuscript is accepted elsewhere, please withdraw your submission from us ASAP. If we select your manuscript for publication, please withdraw it ASAP from other publishers and contests. 

We may make minor edits or suggestions to the selected manuscripts while maintaining the poet’s original voice. Selected poets are expected to negotiate a contract with us and to read the final draft of the manuscript before the book goes to print.

Published poets will receive author copies and a percentage of royalties from net receipts. We also expect published poets to conduct at least two readings and to help with promotion of the book. We will promote the book via our website and our network.

Submit your manuscript to Duosuma or contact us for alternate submission methods.