NewPages Guide to Literary Magazines

Poet Lore

The Writer's Center

4508 Walsh Street

Bethesda, MD 20815

Phone: (301) 654-8664 Fax: (240) 223-0458

E-mail: postmaster@writer.org

Simultaneous submissions: yes Email submissions: no Reading period: year-round Response time: 2 - 3 months Payment: copies Contests: no ISSN: 0032-1966 Founded: 1889 Issues per year: 2 Copy Price: $9 Subscription (Individuals): $18 Subscription (Libraries): $28

Publisher’s Description: Established in 1889, Poet Lore is the oldest continuously published poetry magazine in the United States. Under the stewardship of its present publisher, The Writer's Center, Poet Lore publishes semi-annual installments of the finest contemporary poetry both by established writers and by those breaking into print. Poet Lore also prints reviews of new poetry books and books about poetry and poets.

Including all types of poetry, the editors of Poet Lore look for a high level of craftsmanship and imaginative use of language and image. In keeping with the variety in tone, Poet Lore features “Poets Introducing Poets,” where a prominent contributing editor introduces an emerging poet.

Though Poet Lore acknowledges its history and literary tradition, it encourages readers to experience poetry from all angles, from the structure of metaphors, lines, and stanzas, to exploration of a poet’s vision. Recent issues have featured Linda Pastan, Richard Peabody, Jane Shore, David Lehman, and David Wagoner.

Recent issues:
Vol 104 Nos 3 & 4, Fall/Winter 2009
This is Poet Lore’s 120th Anniversary Issue! A "Then and Now Showcase" features reprinted poems from our archive of published authors, alongside some of their newest work, including Kim Addonizio, John Balaban, Colette Inez, Gary Fincke, D. Nurkse, and Sharon Olds. Also, short reviews on books of poetry, including Sandra Gilbert's review of "Second-Hand Coat," by Ruth Stone; Terrance Hayes on "fingering the keys," by Reuben Jackson; and Linda Pastan on "Resuming the Green," by Roland Flint.

Vol 104 Nos 1 &2, Spring/Summer 2009
Per our tradition, Poet Lore's Spring/Summer 2009 issue features established and emerging writers together in its collection of contemporary poetry. Featured in Vol 104, No 1/2 are Cornelius Eady, Frannie Lindsay, Jeff O'Brien, Greg Pardlo, Linda Pastan, and Ronald Wallace.