Literary Journal
The Road Not Taken: A Journal of Formal Poetry
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About the magazine
The Road Not Taken: A Journal of Formal Poetry is an online publication dedicated to the craft of poetry written in traditional and formal modes. Founded on the conviction that formal poetry remains a vital and evolving tradition, the journal provides a platform for poets who work with meter, rhyme, and received forms, as well as those who adapt these structures in innovative ways. Its mission is to foster a community of readers and writers who appreciate the technical and expressive possibilities of formal verse, without nostalgia or dogma.
Submitting your work
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Before submitting, read several issues to understand the journal's aesthetic, which favors well-crafted formal poems that feel necessary rather than merely clever. Send up to five poems in a single file, with a brief cover letter noting any prior publications. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but notify promptly if a poem is taken elsewhere. Response times vary, so query after three months if you haven't heard back. The editors appreciate concise, professional correspondence and are open to both established and emerging poets.
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