tinywords

Submitting your work

Submit only previously unpublished haiku or senryu—typically 1–3 lines—that adhere to the spirit of the form: a keen observation of nature or human nature, often with a seasonal reference or a turn of insight. Avoid rhyme, titles, and excessive punctuation. Simultaneous submissions are discouraged; wait for a response before submitting elsewhere. Expect a response within a few weeks. Read several issues before submitting to understand the editor's taste, which favors clarity, freshness, and emotional resonance over cleverness. Include a brief bio in your cover letter, but let the poems speak first.

Before submitting please read a recent issue or two archived at our website to see what we publish and more particularly, to better know our understanding of Japanese forms and preferences in micro poetry. We give preference to work that has not been previously published in any literary journal, though we’ll occasionally republish poems that have appeared elsewhere. Appearance on Twitter, personal blogs or online poetry discussion forums is no impediment to acceptance. Please submit no more than five poems per reading period.