We are looking for quality above all else. Poems that speak of the lived experience; that makes us feel something in the pit of our stomachs; that causes us to think and to question; that will keep us up nights or have us coming back for another read. We want poems written with not only content, but a careful attention to craft in mind; poetry that plays with language and says things in a way that only you can. Poems that will make us remember your name as a poet because the poem is unabashedly a manifestation of your being.

While we are interested in poetry from all walks of life, we are especially excited to read work from poets who identify as part of a marginalized group or community.

In short, we’re looking for objectively good poetry, so send us your bangers. #goodshit

Think of the Featured Poet spot as a sort of a chapbook within a literary journal. We are seeking quality above all else in the poems, both individually but also as a cohesive collection. Poems that speak of the lived experience; that makes us feel something in the pit of our stomachs; that makes us think and question. Poems that will keep us up nights, or have us coming back for another read. Poems that work together the way a classic music album plays out seamlessly. Poetry that plays with language and says things in a way that only you can. Poems that will make us remember your name as a poet because the poem is unabashedly a manifestation of your being.

That said, we ask that your poems adhere to these requirements:

• An Attention to Craft – not only seeing poetry as expression, but also a certain style, playfulness, and care as to how the piece is written in order to be expressed in the most powerful way possible

• The Ability to Perform – an understanding that poetry is performance, not just recitation, and that it takes practice, rehearsal, and fine-tuning to fully express oneself and the work

• A Versatility in the Work – the work should demonstrate the poet’s ability to play with mood, tone, pitch, and other aspects of both written and performance poetry in order to hold an audience’s attention during a 20-minute set at WAYE: A Poetry Reading Series

While we are interested in poetry from all walks of life, we are especially excited to read work from poets who identify as part of a marginalized group or community.

Overall, we’re looking for objectively good poetry, so send us your bangers. #bestshit

There is a fee of $5 for general poetry submissions and a $15 fee to submit and be considered for the featured poet submission.

PLEASE NOTE: you are welcome to submit to both the Featured Poet and our general call for poetry for Issue 01, but you will have to submit and pay separately.