Ballast is a brand-new online poetry journal. They hope to showcase a broad range of poetic forms, including long poems, visual poems, translations, and more. And they’re open to all styles. They just want poetry that makes an impact and makes meaning: “Send us your ports in the storm. Send us your storms.”

Ballast hasn’t yet published their first issue, but their website is thoughtfully designed. And with two published and award-winning authors as editors, it promises to be an excellent new journal.

Ballast accepts submissions year-round and aims to publish three to four editions each year. Submitting authors can expect a response within four months.

Poets may submit three to five poems. All submission should include a bio and cover letter.

Ballast also accepts long poems up to 15 pages, concrete/visual poems, and poems in translation. Additionally, they accept book reviews and critical essays. They especially like reviews and essays written in a lyrical style.

Ballast only accepts submissions via email, not online or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions but ask that authors withdraw work published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published work, including work published on social media or personal websites.

Ballast only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you would like to learn more or submit to Ballast, please visit their website here.

Bio: Ella Peary is the pen name for an author, editor, creative writing mentor, and submission consultant. Over the past five years, she’s written hundreds of articles for Authors Publish, and she’s also served as a copywriter and copy editor for a wide range of organizations and individuals. She is the author of The Quick Start Guide to Flash Fiction. She occasionally teaches a course on flash fiction. You can contact her at ellapeary@gmail.com.