Submission Guidelines and Correspondence

Valparaiso Poetry Review presents new, emerging, and well-known voices in contemporary poetry alongside one another, and this literary journal offers another opportunity for more readers to discover young or established poets whose writings deserve an even larger audience.

SUBMISSIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED

Due to the large number of submissions and the competitive level of excellence displayed in so many poems received each year, Valparaiso Poetry Review will be highly selective in choosing pieces for inclusion in each issue, accepting only accomplished, high-quality poetry. Indeed, a number of works that first appeared in VPR have been nominated for special commendation by outside organizations, and some have received honors or been chosen for inclusion in award anthologies.

VPR does not accept postal submissions; only email submissions are permitted. Postal submissions will not be read or returned. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome year-round. Valparaiso Poetry Review accepts submissions of unpublished poems, book reviews, author interviews, and essays about poetry or poetics for which the rights belong to the author. Translations are not considered for the journal. Very rarely and only in special circumstances, previously published material will be accepted if it is unavailable anywhere else online. If such a submission has been previously published in a print journal or book, the original publication must be identified.

Valparaiso Poetry Review has been recognized over the years with inclusion in acknowledgments for nearly 200 poetry volumes, anthologies, and collections of critical essays where works first published in VPR have subsequently appeared. Since its initial issue in 1999, this electronic journal has been meant to serve as a complement to print issues of literary magazines and poetry collections, not as a replacement for those traditional and greatly valued publications.

Unsolicited book reviews are welcome. Please check the VPR list of “Recent and Recommended Books” for possible subjects of reviews. Publishers and poets are urged to send books for review consideration to the postal address below:

Valparaiso Poetry Review
Edward Byrne, Editor
English Department
ASB 226
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493

Submit an essay, book review, interview, or no more than five poems at a time, and include biographical information to vpr@valpo.edu.

Since typographical characteristics occasionally are lost when a poem is included within the text of email, authors are encouraged to send a single Word attachment of the submitted work(s) in electronic submissions or to include a single Word attachment in addition to the text of submissions appearing in the body of the email.

Simultaneous submissions are allowed; however, confirmation of acceptance is regarded as a commitment to publication, and it is expected that the manuscript will not be later withdrawn for placement with another publication. Also, should a submission still pending be accepted elsewhere, the courtesy of immediate notification is expected. Valparaiso Poetry Review retains the right to use the accepted work in future online or print anthologies as well as in the online archives. No monetary payment is available, and all other rights remain with the author.

Due to the heavy volume of submissions Valparaiso Poetry Review receives, response times may vary; nevertheless, VPR attempts to respond to all submissions within two months of receiving the work, usually sooner.