Poetry publication in newspapers: where to send

According to Dana Gioia, president of the National Endowment for the Arts, “newspapers no longer review poetry. In fact, there is little coverage of poetry or poets in the general press.” (You can import poetry, Dana Gioia, 1991).

Adds John Timpane, comment page editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer: “Today, in my opinion, most journalists are afraid of poetry. They’re afraid readers won’t understand it, especially poetry that they (this newspaper people) find “difficult” or “experimental.” It amounts to a fear of the verbal (Kelly Writers House, 1999).

One could argue with Gioia and Timpane’s claims today, as print media seemingly lose ground with technological advances in communications and the art of poetry and their society become more and more associated with academia, making them less user-friendly for the general public.

However, there is, even today, life in the press. This article deals with the newspapers that currently
accept the poetry of the people; Listed below are the following newspapers in the United States (compiled by Melanie Simms) that currently accept poetry submissions.

(If anyone has information on additional listings, please email Melanie Simms at [email protected] or contact her on her website at [http://www.poetmelaniesimms.net]).

Current list of newspapers that publish poetry:

Philadelphia Investigator: Contact: John Timpane at [email protected]

The York Daily Record: Contact: Bill Diskin: [email protected]

The Oregonian: Ask for the poetry editor or call: 503-221-8100

The Sentinel of Santa Cruz: Contact: 831-423-4242 and ask for the Poetry Editor

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette: contact: 412-263-1100 and ask for the poetry editor

The Christian Science Monitor: Contact: 617-450-2000 and ask for the poetry editor

Clearly this current list is small (although still in development) and only conveys the American public’s concerns that “newspaper poetry” is a dying breed, but thanks to the “uncompromising” efforts of these remaining voices in today’s newspapers. America is still hoping to see art revived.

Every poet and citizen who appreciates art also has the opportunity and the obligation to help. Newspapers depend on their readers. Share your voices of concern so the press realizes that Dana Gioia, John Timpane and your humble author are not alone in their desire to see poetry in the news again. You can do this by contacting your local poetry publisher and requesting that a poetry article be developed, or, if you are creatively (and financially) inclined, start a poetry column of your own from your own small newspaper press.

May the voice of the people be heard in the art of poetry and prosper once more in the newspapers!