Marginalia | Poetry Submissions
Submissions are open now! Submit a first and final draft for the chance to be published as a standalone piece on our website.
Marginalia submission guidelines
Frequently asked questions
What is Marginalia?
Marginalia is a Free the Verse feature that publishes a poem’s first and final draft side by side, with the poet’s own annotations explaining what changed and why. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how a poem gets made.
What do I need to submit?
The submission form asks for: your name and bio, both your first and final draft, a short intro (we use this in the published piece), annotations on the changes you made, and a few questions about your process.
What counts as a “first draft”?
Whatever you genuinely started with. It doesn’t need to be a mess – some poets write tight first drafts and revise subtly. What matters is that both drafts are real, and that the distance between them has something to show.
Can I submit a poem that’s already been published?
Yes, and we actively encourage it. A published poem with a visible revision history is often exactly what we’re looking for. Just let us know where it appeared so we can credit them.
How many poems can I submit?
One per month. Please wait to hear back before submitting again.
Do you accept simultaneous submissions?
Yes. If your poem is accepted elsewhere while we’re considering it, you don’t need to withdraw it – as long as you retain the rights to future publication.
What happens after I submit?
The editor reviews submissions as they arrive. You’ll hear back within a month. There’s no set publication schedule – pieces go live as and when a strong submission comes in.
What does the published piece look like?
Your first and final draft appear side by side on a dedicated page. Annotations sit in the margin on desktop (with dashed connector lines to the relevant lines) and as tap-to-reveal notes on mobile. There’s a short intro at the top in your own words. You can see a preview of the layout below.
Who holds the rights to my poem?
You do. You keep full copyright. By submitting, you grant us the right to publish and promote the piece across all mediums.
How much does it pay?
USD $20, paid via PayPal once you’ve accepted our offer of publication. Submissions are free – if you’d like to support the magazine, there’s an optional tip on the form.
What type of poetry do you publish?
We’re open to anything, but we love free-verse poetry. If you’d like to get a sense of what we’ve published in the past, you can read our previous issues for free here.
What are your poetry submission windows in 2026?
Marginalia is always open for submissions. Issue submissions: as soon as we close one theme for submissions, we open the next. This means we’re always open for submissions! The best way to keep up-to-date with new calls for submissions is to subscribe to our mailing list. You can also follow us on Instagram.
What will it look like?
Tap a highlighted line to read the annotation.
