Poetry Publishers
Finding a Publisher for Your Poetry
The publishers listed here represent a selection of established and independent poetry presses in the UK. They publish a wide range of work, from first pamphlets and debut collections to experimental poetry, translations and books by internationally established poets.
Please note: Publishing policies change frequently. A publisher shown here may not currently be accepting manuscripts. Always visit the publisher's website and read the latest submission guidelines before sending work.
It is also worth reading several books from a press before submitting. The question is not simply whether a publisher accepts poetry, but whether your work belongs naturally alongside the poetry it already publishes.
Last major update: October 2026
Major and Established Poetry Presses
Bloodaxe Books
One of the UK's leading independent poetry publishers, with a large national and international list of contemporary poets.
Publishes: Full collections, selected and collected poems, poetry in translation.
Submissions: Currently closed to unsolicited manuscripts.
Website: www.bloodaxebooks.com
Carcanet Press
One of Britain's major independent literary publishers, particularly important for contemporary poetry, modernist traditions, international poetry and poetry in translation.
Publishes: Full collections, selected and collected poems, translations and related literary work.
Submissions: Only during announced submission windows. The previous general window has closed and the next is to be announced.
Website: www.carcanet.co.uk
Arc Publications
Long-established independent poetry press with a particularly strong international and poetry-in-translation list alongside British and Irish poets.
Publishes: Full collections and poetry in translation.
Submissions: Unsolicited manuscript submissions currently closed until further notice.
Website: www.arcpublications.co.uk
Seren
Major independent Welsh publisher with an established poetry list alongside fiction and non-fiction.
Publishes: Full poetry collections.
Submissions: Poetry currently closed. Seren uses specific submission call-outs rather than continuously accepting unsolicited manuscripts.
Website: www.serenbooks.com
Shearsman Books
Important independent publisher particularly associated with contemporary, modernist, innovative and international poetry.
Publishes: Full collections, selected poetry, translations and poetry-related literary criticism.
Submissions: New book manuscripts currently suspended, with reopening anticipated around summer 2027.
Website: www.shearsman.com
Nine Arches Press
Highly regarded independent press publishing contemporary British poetry by emerging and established writers.
Publishes: Full collections.
Submissions: Full-collection submission window open 1-31 October 2026. Does not currently accept pamphlets.
Website: ninearchespress.com
The Poetry Business / Smith|Doorstop
Long-established poetry organisation and publisher particularly known for developing poets through its competitions, pamphlets, books and The North magazine.
Publishes: Pamphlets and full collections.
Submission route: Frequently through competitions and announced opportunities.
Website: poetrybusiness.co.uk
Cinnamon Press
Independent literary publisher with a long history of publishing poetry alongside fiction and other literary work.
Publishes: Poetry collections and other literary titles.
Website: www.cinnamonpress.com
Valley Press
Independent publisher based in Yorkshire with poetry forming an important part of its literary list.
Publishes: Poetry and other literary writing.
Website: www.valleypressuk.com
Two Rivers Press
Independent publisher based in Reading, known for carefully produced poetry and books concerned with place.
Publishes: Poetry collections and selected other literary work.
Website: tworiverspress.com
Independent Poetry Presses
Broken Sleep Books
Innovative independent press publishing a broad range of contemporary poetry and prose, with an emphasis on widening access to publishing.
Publishes: Poetry pamphlets and full collections.
Submissions: Uses regular annual windows. Poetry pamphlet submissions are open 1 October-30 November 2026.
Website: www.brokensleepbooks.com
Bad Betty Press
Award-winning independent publisher specialising in new contemporary poetry.
Publishes: Pamphlets and full collections.
Submissions: Uses specific submission windows. The 2026 general full-collection window has closed.
Website: badbettypress.com
Red Squirrel Press
Established independent poetry press publishing poets from Britain and elsewhere.
Publishes: Poetry pamphlets and collections.
Submissions: General poetry submissions expected to recommence in April 2027.
Website: www.redsquirrelpress.com
V. Press
Independent press publishing poetry and flash fiction, with an emphasis on distinctive contemporary writing.
Publishes: Poetry pamphlets and full collections.
Submissions: Through specified submission windows. UK-resident writers only under the current guidelines.
Website: vpresspoetry.blogspot.com
Verve Poetry Press
Independent press associated with Birmingham's Verve Poetry Festival and contemporary poetry in a wide variety of voices and styles.
Publishes: Poetry pamphlets and collections.
Website: vervepoetrypress.com
Burning Eye Books
Independent publisher particularly associated with spoken-word and performance poetry.
Publishes: Poetry collections and performance-oriented work.
Particularly suitable for: Poets whose work has a strong performance or spoken-word dimension.
Website: burningeyebooks.com
Fly on the Wall Press
Award-winning independent publisher with a socially engaged literary list.
Publishes: Poetry and fiction.
Submissions: Not currently accepting new poetry manuscripts.
Website: www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk
Arachne Press
Independent publisher with a strong commitment to inclusive publishing and work by LGBTQ+, disabled and otherwise under-represented writers.
Publishes: Poetry, short fiction and selected other work.
Website: arachnepress.com
Flapjack Press
Manchester-based independent press particularly associated with performance poetry, spoken word and contemporary poetry.
Publishes: Poetry collections and performance-related work.
Website: flapjackpress.co.uk
Longbarrow Press
Independent poetry publisher known for carefully developed books, sequences and projects, frequently exploring landscape, place and environment.
Publishes: Poetry collections and collaborative poetry projects.
Website: longbarrowpress.com
Blue Diode Press
Independent poetry press associated with Blue Diode magazine and contemporary poetry.
Publishes: Poetry collections.
Website: www.bluediodemagazine.com
Experimental and Innovative Poetry
Aquifer Books
Independent publisher with a particular interest in innovative and experimental poetry and writing, including work emerging from the Welsh experimental scene.
Publishes: Innovative poetry and cross-genre writing.
Website: glasfrynproject.org.uk
Knives Forks and Spoons Press
Independent press strongly associated with experimental, avant-garde and formally innovative contemporary poetry.
Publishes: Experimental poetry collections and related work.
Particularly suitable for: Poets working outside conventional lyric and narrative forms.
Website: www.knivesforksandspoonspress.co.uk
Hesterglock Press
Small independent publisher associated with experimental and innovative poetry and interdisciplinary writing.
Publishes: Experimental poetry and related work.
Website: hesterglock.net
if p then q
Independent poetry press associated with innovative, experimental and linguistically adventurous writing.
Publishes: Experimental poetry.
Website: Check the publisher's current site and submission information before approaching.
Face Press
Independent press specialising in contemporary experimental poetry and related writing.
Publishes: Poetry, experimental literature and artist-led publications.
Website: Check current publisher information before submitting.
zimZalla
Independent publisher specialising in experimental poetry objects, visual poetry and work that explores the physical form of the book.
Publishes: Experimental poetry, visual poetry and poetry objects.
Particularly suitable for: Work in which visual form, typography or the physical object is an essential part of the poetry.
Website: Check current zimZalla publishing information before submitting.
Boiler House Press
Independent literary publisher based at the University of East Anglia with an adventurous list spanning poetry, fiction and work that crosses conventional genre boundaries.
Publishes: Poetry and experimental literary work.
Website: www.boilerhouse.press
Black Herald Press
Small independent non-profit press publishing poetry, essays, translations and writing that may resist conventional genre classification.
Publishes: Poetry, experimental writing and translation.
Website: www.blackheraldpress.com
Pamphlets and Emerging Poets
ignitionpress
Poetry pamphlet press associated with the Oxford Brookes Poetry Centre and particularly interested in developing emerging poets.
Publishes: Poetry pamphlets.
Particularly useful for: Poets seeking a first or early pamphlet publication.
Website: Check ignitionpress / Oxford Brookes Poetry Centre for current submission opportunities.
Blueprint Poetry Press
Independent press publishing short, coherent groups of poems, sometimes incorporating illustration.
Publishes: Poetry pamphlets and short collections.
Particularly useful for: Writers with a concentrated sequence or shorter manuscript.
Candlestick Press
Distinctive independent poetry publisher particularly known for small themed poetry pamphlets designed as alternatives to greeting cards.
Publishes: Themed poetry pamphlets and anthologies.
Website: www.candlestickpress.co.uk
Alba Publishing
Independent publisher with particular interests in haiku, tanka and haibun.
Publishes: Collections and chapbooks.
Particularly suitable for: Haiku, tanka, haibun and related short-form poetry.
Website: www.albapublishing.com
Agenda Editions
Publishing arm associated with Agenda poetry magazine, producing individual poetry publications and limited editions.
Publishes: Poetry.
Website: www.agendapoetry.co.uk
Choosing Where to Submit
Do not choose a publisher simply because submissions are open.
Before submitting a pamphlet or collection, read books published by the press and look at the poets it has published recently. Check whether it publishes pamphlets, full collections or both, and read its current submission guidelines carefully.
Check manuscript length requirements and whether simultaneous submissions are permitted. Make sure the publisher is genuinely a suitable home for your work and follow the requested submission format exactly.
A carefully targeted submission is generally more useful than sending the same manuscript indiscriminately to a large number of publishers.
A Note on Publishing Models
Poetry publishing operates through several different models. Some presses meet the full cost of publication and pay authors royalties. Some opportunities are competition-based and require an entry fee. Other publishing programmes may involve an author contribution towards production, editorial or publishing costs.
These are different publishing arrangements rather than interchangeable models. Writers should establish exactly what is being offered before agreeing to publication.
Before paying any fee or signing a contract, check what the payment covers, who owns copyright, what royalties are paid, whether the book receives an ISBN, how it will be distributed, whether it can be ordered through booksellers, how many author copies are supplied, whether additional copies are available at a discount, and what editorial, design and promotional support is provided.
Keeping This Directory Current
Submission windows can open and close quickly. Information on this page should therefore be treated as a starting point rather than a substitute for the publisher's own guidelines.
If you are a poetry publisher listed here and your details have changed, or if you would like your press considered for inclusion, please contact Poetry Kit at info@poetrykit.org.
Directory last substantially checked: 2 October 2026