Poets Reading the News is the groundbreaking 501(c)3 literary publication for poetry about current events. We publish poetry coverage on a diverse range of critical contemporary issues, including politics, technology, climate change, gun violence, immigration and international affairs. Since 2016, the journal has published over 1,000 original poems, including by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, National Poet Laureates, and emergent writers from over 25 countries. In addition to our dynamic publishing house, we host writing workshops, readings and events in San Francisco and beyond.
+ + +
Review our Submission Guidelines here in advance of sending us your poetry.
+ + +
Subscribe to our newsletter to learn about open calls and see our latest poetry, and connect with us on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Welcome to the Poets Reading the News open call for poetry about current events.
Before you submit, please review our full submission guidelines.
One submission may be under review at a time; each submission can include up to three (3) poems.
We are committed to featuring essential voices that have been underrepresented throughout journalistic and poetic history. We particularly encourage writers of color, women writers, LGBTQI+ writers, emergent writers, low-income/no-income writers, and/or writers near and far to submit their writing.
We ask that you help sustain Poets Reading the News if you are able by paying a modest submission fee to offset our Submittable costs. If this is a barrier, please use our no-cost poetry submission form here.
Thank you so much for sharing your writing with us. We look forward to reading your poetry!
+ + +
Poets Reading the News is the groundbreaking news publication for original poetry about current events. Our purpose is to enact poetry’s vital cultural function as a processor for violence, cultural complexity, and political change. We provide breaking poetry coverage on a diverse range of critical contemporary issues, including gun violence, politics, technology and climate change and are home to Pulitzer Prize winners, national poet laureates, and emergent writers.