Laura Boss Poetry Foundation — Lips Teen 2027
Overview
Lips, the annual magazine of the Laura Boss Poetry Foundation, serves as a dedicated platform for teenage poets. The foundation's commitment to nurturing young voices is evident in its no-fee submission policy and its focus on original, previously unpublished work. By offering a single contributor copy as payment, the magazine emphasizes recognition and publication over monetary compensation, aligning with its educational and literary mission. The submission window runs from September 1 through November 30, with a final deadline of December 1, 2026, for the 2027 issue. This structured period ensures that all entries are considered within a defined timeframe, allowing the editorial team to review each submission with care. The requirement that poems be the poet's original work and not AI-generated underscores a commitment to authentic, human expression—a cornerstone of the foundation's ethos. Accepted poets will see their work in print in the spring following the submission year, with copyright reverting to them upon publication. The foundation retains first rights, a standard practice in literary publishing that allows the magazine to showcase new material while respecting the author's future use of their work. This approach balances the magazine's need for fresh content with the poet's long-term interests.