We open for poetry submissions annually in June and July. This year’s windows are:

1st – 30th June 2024: Little Betty (pamphlets)

Edited by Anja Konig and Vanessa Kisuule. Selected pamphlets will be published in 2025.

1st – 31st July 2024: Bad Betty (full-length collections)

Edited by Amy Acre, curated with Jake Wild Hall. Selected collections will be published in 2026.

Guidelines

Please send a maximum of 10 pages upfront. We’ll ask for the full manuscript of shortlisted submissions.

.pdf or .doc files are preferred. If you need to use a different format then do, and we’ll let you know if we’re unable to open it.

We don’t have specific font or spacing requirements, but please keep it clear and readable, with no more than one poem to a page.

Keep your email brief – no need to explain your work as we’ll expect it to speak for itself. Feel free to include a short bio.

We’re based in the UK, but welcome submissions from poets anywhere in the world.

Email your submission to:

Pamphlets (June only): littlebetty@badbettypress.com

Full collections (July only): submissions@badbettypress.com

Submissions sent outside of the dates above will not be read.

Please direct questions or tech issues here, but start by checking our FAQs below.

FAQs

What are you looking for?

To get an idea of the kind of work we like, we recommend reading some of our books—which you can purchase from our online shop, find or order into your local bookseller, or read for free at the National Poetry Library. 

We’re keen to read poetry from anyone and on any theme, but are particularly interested in work that gives voice to stories less often heard or centred; work that challenges patriarchal, heteronormative and white colonial narratives; that surprises, challenges and excites us; that digs deep and takes risks. 

A history of publication is not a prerequisite, but if you’re submitting a full collection, it is preferred. (If you’ve had a pamphlet or chapbook out, or been published in magazines and journals, it’s a good indication that you’re ready to put out a full-length book, and likely to have an audience.)

We’re not currently looking for single poems for anthologies, so please only send work that’s part of a complete manuscript.

What if I’m not sure whether I’ve got a pamphlet or a collection?

These distinctions often create confusion for anyone not entrenched in the world of poetry publishing. Here’s a rough guide to how we see them breaking down:

A pamphlet is typically up to around 36 pages in book form (25-30 pages of A4), and is often a poet’s first solo publication – a chance to share their voice with the world and grow their audience before diving in with a full collection – although established poets also use the pamphlet form, often to experiment with a theme, or to present a concentrated, cohesive project with a quick(ish) turnaround.

A collection is typically 60-100+ pages in book form (around 50+ pages of A4) and usually follows several years of writing, a history of publication in magazines, journals, anthologies or pamphlets / chapbooks, and a history of presenting your work at live readings and events.

When will I get a response?

You should get an automated response confirming that we’ve received your submission (check your junk folder if you don’t see this). We aim to get back to everyone with a decision (whether it’s yes or no) within three months of the deadline. Please avoid checking in with us in the weeks after submitting, as we’ll be busy reading your work, but do drop us a line to let us know if you need to withdraw your manuscript.

What happens if my book is selected for publication?

You’ll receive a contract and some information on the process ahead, and we’ll agree together on a timeline for working on and publishing your book.

You’ll work with an editor to hone and develop your manuscript into its final form. We’ll typeset and design your book, giving you the opportunity to feed into ideas for the cover.

On publication, you’ll receive 15 complimentary copies, a discount on further copies, and a small advance of royalties.

We’ll work hard to promote the success of your book, distribute it to readers and booksellers, submit it to awards and reviewers, market it via social and paid media, and (where funding allows) offer you paid performance opportunities around the time of your publication, as part of the Bad Betty live tour.

 

Good luck! We look forward to reading your work.