Submission Guidelines

CLUTCHING AT STRAWS loves poetry that is strange, head-scratching, absurd, and hilarious.  I’ll take a look at anything that’s refreshing and forces the reader to read it again in order to soak it up.

No rules.  If you rhyme, it better be damn funny.

Simultaneous submissions are ok.  I’d like work that hasn’t been published before (excepting your personal blog).

I’ve trashed the “Author Bio” section for a few reasons. First of all, I was spending WAY too much time entering and formatting the biographies. Also, I think the work itself is the author’s calling-card. If the reader reads your poem and loves it, I’m sure she could find out more with a simple Google search. If you want to list your achievements in your submission as a way to impress me, go right ahead, but those achievements won’t see the light of day (on this site, at least). Sorry if this change offends or upsets anybody.

Please paste 1-3 poems to the body of an email and send it to shawnmisener227@gmail.com

I aim to post a new poem every day, or at least every other day.  If the work is good, it’ll show up.  Acceptance/ Rejection could take anywhere from two weeks to two months or so.  Send your best stuff. 

I try to provide some justification for a rejection.  It’s only fair.  For an acceptance, I’ll just say I’ll take it, blah blah, and let you know when your wonderful work will be posted.

The author retains all rights to their work.

Remember, I love you. And no, I can’t pay you.

Shawn Misener

editor