Literary Journal

The Northeast Coast

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About the magazine

The Northeast Coast is a poetry press and online journal founded in 2018 by poets based in Portland, Maine. It emerged from a desire to create a dedicated space for work that engages with the landscapes, histories, and communities of the Northeastern seaboard, without resorting to regionalism as a limiting category. The press publishes two to three full-length collections annually and maintains a biannual online journal featuring poetry, short essays, and interviews. Its mission is to support poets at all stages of their careers, with a particular emphasis on first and second books, and to foster a readership that values craft, clarity, and emotional precision over trend-driven aesthetics.

Editorial focus

The editors publish poetry by writers residing in or inspired by the northeastern coastal United States . They publish original poetry in all styles, including but not limited to: Free verse Formal poetry (sonnets, villanelles, etc.) Experimental poetry Prose poetry Spoken word/performance poetry

Poetry

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentNo payment

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

The Northeast Coast accepts submissions through its website during two reading periods: September 1–30 and March 1–31. Poets should submit 3–5 poems (up to 10 pages) in a single PDF, along with a brief cover letter that includes a short bio and any relevant publications. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify the press immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Response times typically range from 4–6 months. The editors appreciate work that demonstrates a strong sense of place, narrative clarity, and attention to line and image. They are not interested in work that relies on shock value or overly abstract language. For book submissions, query first with a proposal and sample poems. Payment is in contributor copies for the journal and standard royalties for books.

We are dedicated to the poetry and spirit of the northeast coast. We invite you to send us your most evocative, engaging, and impactful poems.

Read official guidelines