Quillkeepers Press, LLC is pleased to open submissions for our Spring 2027 Poetry Chapbook Competition. We will select 1–3 winning manuscripts for publication.

Winning authors will receive 5 complimentary copies of their chapbook and a standard publishing contract with Quillkeepers Press.

We are not seeking a specific theme, but we are looking for work that grips us immediately and refuses to let go. Surprise us. Move us. Captivate us with language that lingers.

While we do not require a designated theme, we ask that your manuscript demonstrate a clear, cohesive thread throughout the collection. For example, please refrain from submitting manuscripts that combine unrelated themes (such as love poems mixed with mental health poems) without a clear connective arc.

Our anticipated publication window for the winning chapbooks is Spring 2027.

Submissions will remain open until the posted deadline. However, we reserve the right to close early if an ideal manuscript is selected, or extend the deadline if additional consideration is needed.

Important Note on Publication Status

Previously published work is not accepted for our traditional publishing opportunities.

This includes:

• Individual poems that have appeared in magazines, journals, anthologies, blogs, or online platforms
• Manuscripts that have been previously self-published or published in full

Please review all guidelines carefully. Failure to follow submission guidelines may result in disqualification.

Submission Guidelines

• Entrants must be 18 years or older
• Manuscripts should be 25–40 pages
• Please submit the entire manuscript in one document
• We do not accept previously published work (including individual poems)
• Co-authored collections are not accepted
• Submissions must be written in English
• Accepted file formats: .doc or .docx

Formatting requirements:

• 12 pt sans-serif font
• Standard 8.5 x 11 page size
• 1.5 or double-spaced

Additional Information

• We will communicate updates regarding your submission via the email associated with your Submittable account, so please ensure your information is up to dat.
• Our traditional publishing agreements provide royalty-based compensation, paid as a percentage of sales.
• Royalty payments are issued three months after the last day of the month in which the sale occurred to allow for returns, exchanges, and refunds, unless otherwise stated in the contract.
• Selected authors will receive a standard industry publishing contract.

If you need to withdraw your submission, please contact us via email as soon as possible.

If you can't afford the $25.00 submission fee, we have a very limited number of waivers. Please reach out. 

Both the contributor and the publisher reserve the right to withdraw the offer of publication at any time prior to the purchase of the ISBN.