Call for submissions for Poetry Showcase Volume XI: Poems Now $35!

The HWA is proud to announce that it will call for submissions from its members for the HWA Poetry Showcase Volume XI beginning April 1st, 2024. Maxwell I. Gold will be the editor for the volume. This year’s judges, along with Maxwell, will include L.E. Daniels, Sumiko Saulson, Pedro Iniguez, and Ngô Bình Anh Khoa. Maxwell I. Gold has agreed to take over as the editor for the next two volumes to follow, HWA Poetry Showcase volumes XI and XII.

Only HWA members (of any status) may submit. Non-members may also submit, but if their poem is accepted, they must become members of the HWA (of any status) prior to publication. The reason for this can be found in the word “Showcase.” The HWA is very proud of the tradition of poetry in the horror genre and of the HWA’s support for poetry. This volume is limited to members of the HWA in order to showcase their talents in dark poetry. We will verify membership and if a non-member submits, they must obtain some level of membership prior to the final cut for the volume to be considered.

The rules for this year’s volume will be similar to previous years:

1. No more than 35 lines. Each author or group of collaborators on a single poem may only submit one (1) poem. Speculative and dark verse is welcome but it should have a “horror” slant.
2. No fancy formatting, dual columns, lining of poems in the center of the page, poems that require strange configurations to look like an image and similar formatting. This is difficult to translate to a single page for publishing. Poems should be submitted in .rtf, .txt or Word formats.
3. Any form – free verse, metered, rhyming, haiku, Tanka etc. – is acceptable. But, if you do use a more traditional form, please remember that poor writing, overly heavy reliance on cliché and imitation will significantly reduce any chances of acceptance. We need good poetry. For example: George (Lord Byron) Gordon already owns the phrase “She walks in beauty, like the night.” Evangeline Walton and many others have overused the phrase “She Walks in Darkness.” Stay away from these types of archetypal clichés.
4. English only, please. 
5. No previously published works or simultaneous submissions.
6. Rights will revert on publication with the HWA retaining the right to use the poem in relation to promote the volume.
7. PAYMENT: The HWA will pay contributors a flat rate of $35.00 (thirty-five USD). Contributors will also receive a paperback copy of the volume.
8. HWA will also provide accepted authors with an e-copy of the volume.

Submissions will open April 1st to celebrate National Poetry Month.

Submissions will close May 1st at 11:59PM Pacific.

This is a great opportunity to help the HWA celebrate and promote the contribution of poetry to the genre. We look forward to reading your work.

Submit your poetry: https://horrorwritersassociation.submittable.com/submit/3fa64705-66ae-4236-879d-90f3e78f194f/2024-poetry-showcase-submissions