Beech Street Review is an online poetry journal publishing poems with dirty fingernails, calloused hands, and sweaty foreheads. They are looking for poetry that expresses the grit and down-to-earth labor that went into creating it. They are more concerned with honesty than with artistry. While still respecting the craft, they prefer poetry that isn’t afraid to show its scars and un-sanded corners. They seek submissions from all authors—new and established—and in an effort toward responsible literary stewardship, they encourage submissions from marginalized poets. To get a sense of their style, you can read past issues online.
Each issue of Beech Street Review contains work from around ten poets. They accept submissions on a rolling basis, and there is no theme. They just want to find poems that excite them. Submitting authors can expect a response within about four to six weeks, and should wait two months before inquiring about submissions. They ask that authors whose work is declined wait three months before submitting again, and they ask that authors whose work is accepted wait at least one year from the publication of their poems to send more work.
Poets may submit three to five unpublished poems in a single document, without any identifying information in the document itself. Authors who aren’t sure whether or not a poem is considered to be published may query the editors. Cover letters are not necessary, and they ask that authors don’t include personal bios with submissions. Rather, instead of listing accolades as an introduction, Beech Street Review prefers that poets say something about why they believe poetry matters.
Beech Street Review accepts submissions via email, not online or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions, but ask that authors notify them immediately if their work is published elsewhere.
If you would like to learn more or submit to Beech Street Review, please visit their website at https://beechstreetreview.com/guidelines/.
