Deep Water 2025 General Submissions
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Call for Poems for 2025
In partnership with the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, poet and editor Megan Grumbling selects poems for Deep Water, a weekly poetry column in the Maine Sunday Telegram. Each edition of Deep Water includes a brief introduction by Megan contextualizing the week’s poem.
Like a beach with a sudden drop-off, the best poems put you in the cold ocean without warning: the sand under your feet falls away, your heart thuds in your chest, and it’s all you can do to stay afloat. This column will focus on poems with deep water in them, in their sudden change in temperature, in their ability to grab a reader’s attention, and in their marriage of form and content. Please note that "deep water" is meant metaphorically: water themes or imagery are not necessary for consideration.
Poems submitted to Deep Water should be written by Maine poets or by non-Mainers writing about Maine. Previously published poems will be accepted, but please note the date and place of publication with your submission.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
+ Previously published poems may be submitted but must be noted as such.
+ Most poems chosen will be 35 lines or less, including stanza breaks.
+ Please be aware that a poem with complex lineation may be difficult to reproduce precisely, and that longer lines may need to be broken up in formatting for the column.
+ Please submit 3-5 poems in one document, and include a cover letter with a brief bio.
+ Poems may be by Maine poets on any subject matter, or by non-Mainers writing about Maine, or poems published by Maine publishers.
We look forward to reading your work!