Our Guidelines

Boundby is keen to hear work written by a wide array of voices, particularly those who are POC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, and writers of all historically and presently oppressed communities. Our editors read and select submissions anonymously, and we are committed to upholding fairness in every stage of the publication process.

We do not consider work which promotes or incites discrimination of any kind.

We accept poetry in any or no form. We prioritise poems of 40 lines or less of text but reserve the possibility to publish longer poems in exceptional circumstances (never in excess of 3 pages of typed A4).

Layout

Poets may submit up to 3 poems for consideration on a single Word or PDF document, with each poem on a new page. Poems should conform to the following specifications:

• Our house font is Palatino

• Poem titles should be in size 16 font

• Poem bodies should be in size 12 font

• Line spacing should be set to 1.15

Formal invention and visual (non-textual) experimentation are wonderful. In which cases differing fonts, sizes, and spacing may contribute to the poem. We asked in these cases that the work be uploaded as a PDF so we can try our best to preserve the intended layout. 

Personal Information

Include on your submission form, your full name as you wish for it to appear if published, and your pronouns. 

We also ask for a very short 50-word or less third-person Poet Bio. This is a space to tell readers very briefly who you are and what you do, and to point them in the direction of your other work if you wish. We encourage you to use this section as sparingly and creatively as you desire. No pressure - we are just looking for a little snapshot of you.

In the interest of fairness, we ask that you do not include any personal information in the file with your poems; please use the allocated space on the submissions form.

Not-So-Extraneous Other Bits 

Poetry in translation and non-English poetry are warmly welcomed. Our editors ask you to provide an English version (or approximation) along with the original.

Submissions must be original works written by the named poet(s). Poems must not have previously appeared in any other online/print zines, been published as part of a collection or pamphlet, or anthologised.

Published contributors are reminded that Boundby remains the sole publisher of any selected poems. Exceptions are made for poets’ own social media channels and blogs.

We understand simultaneous submissions are necessary, though we ask that you promptly inform us if your work is accepted elsewhere.

We reply to all contributors and aim to notify poets two to three weeks after submissions close on the status of their submissions. If you have not heard back after this timeline then please contact us via email at boundby.submissions@gmail.com.