Poem Collection Submissions Open
We are looking for poets from Yorkshire and the North East to feature in an exclusive poetry card collection! Read our guidance below, then -
About the call
At Marginalia, we create poem card collections designed specifically for annotation and interactive reading. We are now looking to publish a new set of poem cards, collating poems from contemporary writers from our own home regions: Yorkshire and the North East of England.
This special collection will be featured alongside our flagship Marginalia keepsake boxes, containing a curated collection of 40 historic poems. All poems in this new, regional collection will be showcased and sold in packs at this year's Christmas Markets in both York and Newcastle, which collectively expect over 3 million visitors.
Whether you are an established writer or an emerging voice, we want to celebrate the talent of our region and share your work with hundreds of readers this winter.
What we are looking for
The goal of this collection is to create a regional epic: Notes from the North. A chorus of individual poems that, when taken together, capture the true texture, spirit, and reality of living and belonging to your region. This could be a look at your streets, your quiet observations, or your personal histories.
We want submissions that speak to what we're trying to achieve with Marginalia. We love poems with vivid imagery that invite readers to pause, reflect, and engage.
Regional eligibility
Please note that this call is open to writers currently living in, originally from, or deeply connected to Yorkshire or the North East only.
Line limit
Because of the space requirements of our poetry cards, we require a line limitation of 40 lines per poem, including line breaks.
Submission process
Submissions are via a Google form and will require sign-in. Word document submissions are preferred, but PDFs are also accepted. The submission deadline is 5pm Friday 23rd October.
Submitting your work is free. You may submit multiple submissions to the call if you wish, but we ask that you submit no more than three poems for a standard of fairness amongst writers. Please submit a new submission form with each entry.
Every poet whose work is selected for the final collection will receive:
- A Marginalia gift box: You’ll receive a complimentary pack of this poetry cards collection and our ‘In Conversation With: Volume I’ poem collection box.
- Online feature: The poem collection will be featured in our online retail and wholesale shop, alongside writer bios and social links on our website.
- 100% copyright of your submission: We only ask for a non-exclusive license to publish your submission, meaning you are free to publish or sell your poem elsewhere whenever you choose.
Plus, your work will be part of our mission to start a transformative experience with all its readers!
If you have any questions, please get in touch through our Contact Us page.
Timeline
Submission deadline: 5pm Friday 23rd October
Outcome notifications: Week commencing 26th October
Christmas markets: 19th November - 21st December