First Frost is a biannual print journal of haiku and senryu, published by Ambidextrous Bloodhound Press. With a contemporary take on these traditional poetic forms, First Frost accepts one, two, and three line poems with various syllable counts, alongside poems written with the familiar 5-7-5 construction.

First Frost aims to showcase the poems they publish with pride. That’s why each issue of the journal is printed on heavy gloss paper with abundant color. Each pocket-size 6×6 print volume features 44 poems, including a “best of issue” winner. This winning poet also has the opportunity to publish an online chapbook of ten poems, featured on the First Frost website.

Although First Frost is published exclusively in print, you can get a sense of what they’re looking for by reading this online chapbook. The chapbook series is called “Ten Haiku By,” and you can find the current edition here.

First Frost publishes two edition each year, in the spring and fall. They accept submissions for their spring issue in January, and for their fall issue from July 15 through August 15. Right now they’re seeking submissions for their second publication. Submitting authors can except a response within four weeks after the submission window closes.

Poets may submit up to five haiku or senryu. Poets may submit only once during each reading period, and poets who send more than five poems during this time will not be considered.

First Frost accepts submissions online, not via email or by post. First frost only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you’d like to learn more or submit to First Frost, 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.