Shō Poetry Journal is an Arizona-based biannual print journal revived in 2023 after a twenty-year hibernation. We publish an eclectic array of poetry by a diverse range of poets and release online audio features on a rolling basis. Each issue features 40 - 50 poets. We strive to champion voices that have been historically underrepresented or overlooked.
Poets published in Sho Poetry Journal include Chen Chen, Erica Dawson, Saddiq Dzukogi, Ally Ang, Carlos Andrés Gomez, Cortney Lamar Charleston, M. Cynthia Cheung, Alison Pelegrin, and many other brilliant voices. Work published in Sho Poetry Journal has been anthologized in Best New Poets, Verse Daily, and Best Spiritual Literature.
Our reading periods are December 15 to March 15 and June 1 to August 31. Our average response time is 2 weeks, and we respond to all submissions within 30 days.
All work from U.S.-based contributors accepted for publication will be considered for two editors' prizes: the Shō Poetry Prize and the Sita Martin Prize for emerging poets. Each winner receives $150 and a one-year subscription to Shō Poetry Journal.
The Basics
1. Manuscript (PDF or Word doc/docx)
- Submit up to 5 poems
- Include your name and page numbers on every page
- Name your file as follows: FirstName_LastName (e.g. Danez_Smith.pdf)
- Previously unpublished poems only—do not include poems that have been posted online
- We do not accept AI-generated/aided work
2. Cover letter
- List the titles of your poems
- Include a short third-person author bio
- State whether this is a simultaneous submission
We are interested in reading groups of poems as well as individual poems that can stand alone.
Please note that we are currently not accepting translations at this time.
Response time
Our average response time is 2 weeks. We attempt to respond to all submissions within 30 days.
Withdrawals
To withdraw a poem from consideration, send us a message through Submittable. Please do not send us updated versions of your poems after you've submitted.
Payment
Shō Poetry Journal is a print journal. Payment is one contributor’s copy. US-based authors also receive a discount on the purchase of extra copies. All work from U.S.-based contributors is considered for two editors' prizes. Read our full submission guidelines here.
This submission portal is specifically for U.S. Indigenous poets. For regular submissions, please use this submission link.
Submissions that do not meet these guidelines will be withdrawn.
Shō Poetry Journal offers free submissions to community-recognized members of tribal nations within the U.S. and its trust territories.
The Basics
1. Manuscript (PDF or Word doc/docx)
- Submit up to 5 poems
- Include your name and page numbers on every page
- Name your file as follows: FirstName_LastName (e.g. Danez_Smith.pdf)
- Previously unpublished poems only—do not include poems that have been posted online
- We do not accept AI-generated/aided work
2. Cover letter
- List the titles of your poems and any information you would like to share
- Please share your tribal affiliation
- Include a short third-person author bio
- State whether this is a simultaneous submission
We are interested in reading groups of poems as well as individual poems that can stand alone.
Please note that we are currently not accepting translations at this time.
Response time
Our average response time is 2 weeks. We attempt to respond to all submissions within 30 days.
Withdrawals
To withdraw a poem from consideration, send us a message through Submittable. Please do not send us updated versions of your poems after you've submitted.
Payment
Shō Poetry Journal is a print journal. Payment is one contributor’s copy. US-based authors also receive a discount on the purchase of extra copies. All work from U.S.-based contributors is considered for two editors' prizes. Read our full submission guidelines here.