Boston’s literary scene has long been a beacon for poets, offering a rich landscape of journals, anthologies, and collaborative projects that spotlight new voices. Whether you’re an emerging poet seeking your first publication or a more experienced writer looking to expand your reach, submitting to a Boston‑centric anthology or poetry journal can elevate your profile, connect you with local and national communities, and deepen your creative practice.
In this post, we explore the top poetry anthologies and related publications in Boston that are known for accepting submissions , including city‑curated anthologies, academic journals, and independent magazines. You’ll find information on editorial focus, submission windows, and tips for crafting a strong submission.
1. City of Boston Poetry Anthology, In the Life and Time Of
Each year, the City of Boston invites local and international poets to contribute to an anthology titled In the Life and Time Of, curated by Boston’s Poet Laureate. This collection centers on themes of contemporary life in Boston and New England and is designed to reflect the city’s diverse cultural landscape.
📌 Why Submit
- Civic Engagement: Unlike traditional literary journals, this anthology is tied directly to Boston’s cultural programming, giving contributors a chance to be part of an official civic arts project.
- Community Focus: Works often engage with urban life, belonging, community narratives, and local identity, making it ideal for poems rooted in place and lived experience.
🕐 Submission Details
- Deadlines typically fall in late autumn/early winter; for example, recent calls have deadlines around mid‑December.
- Specific guidelines are usually posted on the City of Boston Arts & Culture website.
📝 Tips for Submission
Focus on poems that speak to the Boston experience , whether literal or metaphorical. Think about how your work engages with the city’s diversity, history, and contemporary challenges.
2. AGNI (Boston University), Literary Journal with Poetic Anthologies
AGNI is among Boston’s most venerable literary magazines, based at Boston University. It publishes a biannual print issue and weekly online content featuring poetry, fiction, essays, and translations.
Unlike strictly themed anthologies, AGNI’s print issues often feel like carefully curated anthologies of contemporary writing. They have featured work by emerging and acclaimed poets alike and serve as a high‑profile platform for visibility beyond the local scene.
📌 Why Submit
- Prestige: AGNI is highly respected in literary circles; publication here can significantly enhance a poet’s credentials.
- Broad Reach: Poems published in AGNI often receive secondary attention in national anthologies like The Best American Poetry and Pushcart Prize collections.
🕐 Submission Window
- AGNI accepts poetry submissions from September 1 to May 31 each year, with specific windows for online and mailed submissions
💡 What They Look For
They’re open to a wide range of styles , from formal to experimental , and encourage work that pushes boundaries in language and form. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, giving poets flexibility.
3. Boston Poetry Magazine, Flexible Publication & Anthology
Boston Poetry Magazine is a community‑oriented publication that celebrates poetry in many forms. The magazine publishes a variety of poetic voices and usually compiles issues that serve as annual anthologies of selected submissions.
📌 Submission Features
- Year‑Round Submissions: Boston Poetry Magazine accepts submissions throughout the year.
- No Hard Limits: There is no set cap on how many poems you may submit, and they accept previously published work.
📝 Tips for Success
While the magazine welcomes diverse styles, strong editing and a cohesive thematic thread (even across different poems) can help set your submission apart in their selection process. It’s a great venue for poets starting out and those who want a community publication with print exposure.
4. Lowestoft Chronicle, Annual Travel & Humor Poetry Anthology
The Lowestoft Chronicle is a Boston‑based quarterly online magazine that publishes a mix of poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and artwork. It annually collects standout pieces into print anthologies, often with a thematic emphasis on travel, humor, and exploration.
📌 Why This Matters
- Print Visibility: Selected works make it into thematic anthology volumes , a tangible way to build a body of published work.
- Quirky & Accessible: Lowestoft favors submissions that are engaging and accessible, particularly those with a touch of humor or narrative drive.
🕐 Submission Tips
Aim for poems that reveal a strong sense of place, story, or personal reflection , especially if you can tie in travel imagery or playful twists.
5. Emerson Review, Annual College Anthology
The Emerson Review is Emerson College’s annual literary journal, publishing poetry alongside prose, nonfiction, and visual art. It positions itself as a showcase of truly innovative work and includes submissions from outside the student body as well.
📌 What Makes It Unique
- Annual Print Venue: Released each spring, this anthology captures a snapshot of emerging and established voices.
- Interdisciplinary: The Emerson Review often highlights multimedia works that blur lines between poetry and other art forms.
📝 Submission Strategy
Because the journal is both academic and artistically ambitious, experimental forms, hybrid work, and visually engaging poetry mixed with other media are welcomed when thoughtfully executed.
6. Ploughshares, Quarterly Literary Journal with Poetry
Ploughshares, housed at Emerson College in Boston, is a quarterly journal that publishes a mix of poetry, prose, and essays. While not strictly an anthology in the themed sense, its issues function as curated collections of contemporary writing.
📌 Why Submit
- Editorial Reputation: Guest editors often shape individual issues, offering diverse editorial perspectives and breadth in style.
- Anthology‑Like Appeal: The quarterly issues assemble a set of voice‑distinct pieces , making each issue feel like an anthology sampling the best of current writing.
📝 What to Know
Ploughshares’ submissions are competitive, and guidelines vary by issue. Contact them directly or visit the journal’s site for details on poetry submission windows.
7. Pleiades, Contemporary Literary Journal with Regular Poetry Issues
While Pleiades operates beyond Boston’s city limits, it remains an important regional journal for many New England poets. It is open to submissions twice a year , typically in December and June , and often includes poetry in its issues.
📌 Why It’s Worth Considering
- Regular Poetry Slots: Their submission seasons give poets predictable submission windows.
- Diverse Voices: Pleiades welcomes both experimental and traditional poetic forms.
📝 Submission Notes
Follow the journal’s submission calendar and read recent issues to understand their editorial style before submitting.
8. Salamander Magazine, Print Anthologies Highlighting New Voices
Salamander Magazine, affiliated with Suffolk University in Boston, publishes literary work in poetry, fiction, and essays. Although submissions may be more periodical than strictly anthology‑based, the best pieces often end up collected in anthology‑style formats or themed volumes.
📌 Submission Advantages
- University Support: Backed by an academic institution, this magazine reaches both academic and general literary audiences.
- Emerging Writers Encouraged: They often recognize standout voices through awards and special features.
📝 Pro Tip
Submit polished poems that show depth and innovation , particularly pieces that reflect robust imagistic clarity or narrative risk.
9. Additional Boston Literary Venues Worth Exploring
While not all of these are anthologies per se, several other Boston‑area publications and initiatives can function as anthology platforms for poetry:
- Post Road (Boston College): A biannual literary magazine with poetry sections that have been featured in larger compilations like Best American and Pushcart anthologies.
- Mass Poetry Events & Submit‑A‑Thon: Organizations like Mass Poetry host community submission events and workshops that can help poets prepare for anthology submissions.
Tips for Successful Poetry Submissions in Boston
🖋️ Know Your Venue
Before submitting, read back issues or recent anthology volumes. Understanding a publication’s aesthetic, preferred themes, and tone increases your chances of acceptance.
📅 Track Deadlines & Windows
Many Boston journals and anthologies operate on specific submission seasons (e.g., AGNI’s September–May reading period) , mark these well in advance.
✍️ Craft a Targeted Submission
Make sure your cover letter or submission notes are tailored to each venue. Briefly mention how your work aligns with their mission or style.
📚 Polish Before You Submit
Editors see high volumes of poems. Prioritize strong opening lines, thoughtful pacing, and finished themes over drafts.
🤝 Engage with the Community
Attend local readings, open mics, and workshop sessions (e.g., Mass Poetry events) to connect with other poets and editors , not only does this build community, it can illuminate anthology opportunities that might not be widely advertised.
Final Thoughts
Boston’s poetry landscape offers a vibrant array of publication opportunities , from city‑curated anthologies like In the Life and Time Of to long‑standing journals like AGNI and Ploughshares. Regardless of whether you’re submitting locally or internationally, Boston’s literary community is receptive to voices that are courageous, perceptive, and linguistically innovative.
By understanding individual venues, adhering to submission guidelines, and continually refining your craft, you can find the right anthology or anthology‑like publication to help elevate your poetry into print and beyond.
Disclaimer: The information regarding these anthologies is a general resource. Readers must independently verify all current submission requirements, including genres and deadlines, on the official press websites. We do not guarantee the accuracy of all details or the successful outcome of any submission.
