Article: When you start to submit your work, begin small. Go for smaller presses over large journals. The bigger journals in the literary community (e.g., Tin House, Ploughshares) get many more submissions that can be read closely and carefully. A lot of more popular journals have a submission rate between 6 or 7%.  When you're first starting out, look into startup journals or mid-level journals. Resources like Poetry Foundation or Poets and Writers will give you a sense of how well-established a journal is, and it's rough number of readers and subscribers. If you're published in a range of small journals, your voice may become increasingly recognizable. You'll also be able to draft a much better cover letter, as you'll be able to boast of a handful of existing publications. This will bolster your chance of acceptance at a bigger journal, as this increases the likelihood a reader will give your work careful consideration when working through piles of submissions. Every literary journal has different submissions guidelines. Remember, even small journals get many, many submissions. Readers are often looking for any excuse to toss out a submission, and if you fail to follow guidelines, your work may not be read. Read submissions guidelines carefully before sending out your poetry.  Journals vary in terms of how many poems they expect you to submit. Some prefer 3 to 5 poems, while others prefer less. How you send your poems often varies. A specific font may be required. If you're submitting poetry online, you may need to send the file in a particular format. For example, a journal may prefer PDF files for poetry as this keeps the poem's original formatting and spacing intact. If you're submitting your poems through regular mail, the majority of publishers request you include a self addressed stamped envelope with your poetry. This is so the journals can easily send you a rejection or acceptance letter. Make sure to proofread your poems several times before sending them out. You do not want to send anything containing typos to a literary journal. Most publishers require you submit a brief cover letter with your work. Your cover letter is a brief tool you use to introduce your work and yourself. A quality cover letter may increase the likelihood your work will be read closely.   Figure out the poetry editor of the magazine you're submitting to. You want to use the name of the poetry editor rather than "To Whom it May Concern" or "Dear Editors." Mention something specific about the journal. This shows you read the journal and understand its style, and that you're more likely to be submitting work that matches that style. Mention how long you've admired the journal, and include the name of a specific poem you liked. Include a very brief bio, including relevant details. If you have an MFA, mention where it's from and when you graduated. Briefly list any previous publications or honors. If won a contest for your poetry through another journal, for example, mention that here. Some journals accept simultaneous submissions, but usually require you to inform readers if this is a simultaneous submission. If you've sent this poem anywhere else, mention this in the cover letter. Magazines, universities, and literary organizations often hold contests to help find emerging poets. Contests can help you gain name recognition in the poetry world. They often come with prizes, like a cash prize and/or publication in a journal.  Keep in mind your chance of winning a contest is generally very slim. Apply to a minimal number of contests, and look for contests with small entry fees or no entry fees at all. Some contests publish finalists and/or high quality entries in anthologies (available for purchase). So you do not necessarily have to win to be published and gain recognition. However, be sure to be careful when giving permission to be published if you are selected so you retain all rights to your works. Keep in mind that you do not have to buy the anthology you are published in, if a contest says you have to pay to be put in their collection then it is most likely a scam and/or not worth it.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Start small. Follow submissions guidelines carefully. Write a good cover letter when sending your poems out. Try submitting to contests.