25 Magnificent Ways to Get Paid to Write Poetry in 2024
The Allure of Getting Paid to Write Poetry
For centuries, poets have relied on the patronage of wealthy individuals or institutions to fund their artistic pursuits. Though the image of the struggling, starving artist subsisting on meager means for their craft persists, the modern era is increasingly opening new opportunities for poets to profit from their talents. From print magazines to digital publications, brand sponsorships to public readings, the potential avenues for monetizing verse continue to expand. For poetry enthusiasts looking to transform their passion into a career, here‘s an in-depth 2600-word guide on the multifaceted ways to get paid for writing poems in today‘s world.
Getting Published in Literary Magazines
Getting your poetry published in literary reviews and magazines has long been a conventional route for poets to reach readers and receive monetary compensation for their creative works. Though shrinking print runs have led some established publications to fold in recent years, many prestigious publications continue to compensate contributors and open calls for poetry submissions.
Familiarizing yourself with the following list of 25 poetry-friendly literary magazines and reviews could help better your chances of both getting published and paid for writing poems:
AGNI Magazine
One of the most well-regarded literary magazines, AGNI publishes poetry in its biannual print editions of 200 pages each. The magazine has a circulation of 5000 print copies along with 225,000 monthly digital readers. First-time contributors receive $150 while multiple-time contributors earn up to $200 for published works.A Public Space
A Public Space has published winners of prestigious poetry prizes alongside emerging voices. They print 1500 copies per quarterly issue. The magazine offers $75 per poem to contributors.Alaska Quarterly Review
Alaska Quarterly Review is a highly selective literary journal devoted to contemporary literary art. They print 1000 copies per issue released in Spring and Fall every year. They pay their poets between $10 and $40 per poem based on length.American Poetry Review
Focused solely on poetry reviews and critical analysis since 1972, APR pays $25 per printed page of poetry. Print circulation stands at 11,500 copies. Online content garners 225000+ impressions. Submission is free.Boulevard Magazine
Kansas-city based Boulevard magazine publishes modern poetic voices alongside established writers like Pulitzer Prize winners. They print 3000 copies per issue, released in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Featuring new works prominently on their online platform as well, Boulevard pays a minimum of $25 per poem.Crab Orchard Review
With a print circulation of 5500 copies per issue, CIR showcases original works of poetry, fiction and literary nonfiction. They also publish new pieces online every week which cumulatively get over 60,000 annual visitors. Each printed page of poetry comes with a $20 payment.Copper Nickel
Launched in 2006, Copper Nickel issues beautiful print editions each year while also publishing new writing online. They pay $20 per accepted poem along with contributor copies worth around $10.Crazyhorse
Crazyhorse publishes some of today‘s most cutting-edge poetry across eclectic themes in its print and online editions. Print run numbers 2000 copies per issue while their website garners 120,000+ annual visits. Along with access to a global readership, contributors also receive around $20 per published page payment and complimentary copy and subscription worth $36.Epoch
Under the aegis of Cornell University, Epoch has long pioneered publishing emerging poets since 1947. Publishing print and online, they print 820 copies per issue. The magazine offers $100 for each published poem along with contributor copies.Granta
British literary magazine Granta publishes both online and in print. Though they mainly focus on fiction and creative non-fiction, poets who manage to get published in its hallowed pages not only receive up to £200 per poem but also get the chance to be read by luminaries across global literary circles.New England Review
Publishing stellar poetry and fiction writers for over four decades now, New England Review‘s print editions are 8000 copies strong. Their online archives receive 750,000+ downloads annually. Along with a worldwide readership, they pay $20 per printed page for published poetry.One Story
One Story provides emerging writers and poets a unique platform to have an entire story/poem published as a standalone piece instead of grouping works in issues. Each beautifully designed booklet like edition has a run length between 3000-5000 copies. Along with invaluable singular exposure, accepted pieces also come with a payment of $500.OPEN: Journal of Arts & Letters
With biannual circulation of 1000 copies per issue, OPEN focuses solely on works of poetry and art. They receive hundreds of submissions every year and publish only around 1%. For poets lucky to be among this exclusive set, each piece comes with a payment of $25.Plume Poetry
Plume has published over 2200 poems since its inception in 2012. The editor handpicks around 3-5 new poems every month to be showcased in their newsletter and social media — which today reaches 22,000+ followers. Along with extensive circulation to poetry lovers, Plume also pays $200 per piece.Poetry
One of America‘s most venerated poetry publications for over a century now, getting published in Poetry continues to be considered a career-defining accomplishment. Though they don‘t disclose payment info publicly, most reports suggest they pay around $300 or more per poem along with access to their 200,000+ strong readership circle.Rattle
As one of the leading poetry publications boasting 6000+ annual submissions, Rattle publishes an extraordinary range of poetic works across styles and themes in its quarterly print issues and weekly online publications. While the print edition circulation numbers at 5,000 copies, their weekly e-newsletter also reaches 15,000+ subscribers. For poets, $100 payment for each poem published in print along with subscriptions and discount on future submissions.Salamander
Dedicated to showcasing poetry and translations, Salamander has printed over 2000 pages of phenomenal poetic works till date. They offer $30 per printed page along with contributor copies for published poets.Smartish Pace
Smartish Pace is a literary review with one of the longest publication histories, spanning over 25 years. Winners of their annual poetry award get showcased prominently alongside handpicked works by seasoned writers and talented newcomers. For published poets, Smartish Pace provides payment of $60 per poem along with contributor copies and a year‘s subscription.Tahoma Literary Review
For over a decade now, Tahoma has published both established and emerging poetic voices in its biannual print editions as well as online. Beyond a circulation of 1500 copies per print issue, their website also garners 60,000+ annual visits. Each printed page of poetry comes with a $20 payment.The Threepenny Review
Among the enduring literary magazines still publishing out of print-centric San Francisco since 1980, the Threepenny Review has quintupled its circulation in 15 years. Each quarterly issue today prints 5000 copies. Their online archives are also frequently accessed by libraries and universities worldwide, providing great exposure for published poets. Threepenny pays up to $200 per poem featured in its pages.Slice Magazine
An evolving platform showcasing diverse literary voices since 2007 , Slice Magazine prints 1500 copies per issue. New writing is also published online throughout the year. Slice pays $20 per printed page for poetry alongside providing digital exposure.Subtropics
Run by University of Florida English Department faculty and graduate students, Subtropics issues a nearly 200-page edition every year filled with poetry, fiction and essays. Print copies number 3000+ while website traffic crosses 53,000 visits. They pay poets $100 per poem while providing access to a literary audience worldwide.Sugar House Review
Printing 1000 copies per issue, Sugar House pays $50 per poem in its Spring and Fall editions. The journal has printed more than 750 emerging and established poets till date. Apart from payment, contributors also get discount on subscriptions and future submissions.The Comstock Review
Comstock has discovered talented poets everywhere from laundry workers to mushroom pickers in its 15 years of existence. They pay poets $10 per published line of poetry, with average earnings between $50 and $200 per accepted piece.Tupelo Quarterly
Through annual printed editions and weekly online features, Tupelo showcases stunning original poetry and artwork. Copies per issue number 2000+. They pay $25 per printed page for poetry and expose talent to an international audience.
Global Poetry Readership Trends and Sales Statistics
According to market research, existing readership reports and sales data on poetry often fail to capture a complete picture. Standard industry classifications and bestseller lists tend to focus solely on print sales from reporting bookstores in UK/US — ignoring independent publishers and online engagement metrics.
However, statistics clearly portray the globally expanding reach of poetic works along with extensive crossover appeal defying narrow genre categorizations. Poetry posted a 15% jump in worldwide publications from 2006 to 2016 — second only to cookbooks. According to Nielsen Book Research, poetry also accounts for over 15 million print book sales annually in the US and UK combined.
Industry reports highlight the online popularity and resonance contemporary poets managed to achieve. Canadian Rupi Kaur became the first poet to top the New York Times bestseller list since 1963. Her works also routinely rank among the most borrowed titles in libraries stateside. Popular poets like Lang Leav and Amanda Lovelace recorded successive titles entering retail bestseller charts too.
Sales numbers cannot encapsulate the true reach of modern poets leveraging digital tools and social media for engaging global audiences. Rupi Kaur‘s poetry collections were viewed over a billion times online even before she signed any major publishing deal. Internet searches for best poetry sites, poem submissions and ways for poets to get paid continue to relentlessly rise over the last decade as per Google Trends.
Attaining Financial Support through Poetry Fellowships and Grants
Along with earning from successful magazine submissions, poets can also apply for a wide range of grant programs and fellowships to attain funding support for work featuring poetic elements. Programs like the National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships provide 25 submissions with $25,000 grants every year to published creative writers, including poets.
Meanwhile, coveted residencies offered at locations like Poets House in New York City allow 16 poets and writers to work on their craft over durations stretching up to 2 years — while covering housing costs and providing monthly stipends up to $2000. Poets need to demonstrate literary excellence and proven dedication to their medium while competing against 1000+ applications from across the country each year for securing such opportunities.
University-affiliated fellowship programs may even open up invaluable academic employment opportunities for poetic artists over time. Poets interested in imparting their creative skills while also attaining financial stability can attain robust funding assistance through post-graduate and doctoral programs like Purdue University‘s recently announced Empowering Diverse Poetic Voices Graduate Fellowship program. Apart from full tuition fee coverage, the scheme also guarantees $200000 in stipend over a 5 year committed teaching period under faculty mentors.
Securing Corporate Sponsorships
The golden age of poets relying solely on the generous patronage of nobility may have passed. However, new sponsorship avenues continue to open up for poetry in the corporate sector. Brands are increasingly looking to associate with poets, leverage their artistic talents for charming audiences and drive meaningful engagement across vital touchpoints.
finder.com estimates the average Instagram influencer with 100,000+ followers can command between $5000 to $15000 for a single promotional post. Numerous poets and "instapoets" today sit among similar follower ranges — indicating clear monetization pathways through the social channel. Think-tank Nielsen-funded research also shows that existing data around poetry tends to miss nearly half of all purchases concentrated among ebooks and independent book shops.
Factoring in the potential halo effect from online engagement, brands have begun realizing poetry‘s strengths in establishing genuine emotional connections. Over the last decade, the world has seen leading clothing lines like Free People tapping Rupi Kaur as brand ambassador, cosmetic manufacturer Vaseline commissioning viral poems for their skincare range, technology giant Apple quoting famous verses in product reveal videos and even an energy drinks brand splashing artist Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan‘s face across London billboards.
Poets need to strategically highlight metrics around audience reach and resonance for securing such sponsorship opportunities. Indian food delivery app Swiggy partnered with poet Minnie Vaid to create a branded "valentine‘s poem" targeting impressions across their 42 million subscriber base on the special day.
Minnie earned over $1500 from this social media poetry endorsement deal. Brand copywriter Ryan Lupinacci suggests poets wanting to explore similar ventures prepare bespoke poems tailored for sponsoring brands rather than sending generic samples — personalization drives better commercial outcomes.
Monetizing Your Readership Outreach
Over 20 years ago, iconic musician David Bowie‘s prescient wisdom foretold, "Music itself is going to become like running water or electricity". His predictions around the digital economy‘s potential for disrupting music distribution and creator sustainability manifest themselves as true for poetic works in the 2020s landscape as well.
While nothing can diminish the cultural importance of having poets distribute their artistic works widely, developing clear monetization pathways to incentivize supporters now emerges as vital for sustainability. Award-winning writers like Alice Quinn point to examples from musical genres — where artistes now earn majority income from performances and licensing work rather than record sales. She advocates poetic creators embrace a polyculture of revenue streams including patronage, merchandise sales, digital subscriptions and offline gatherings alongside pursuing traditional publication deals.
Modern poets need to strategically harness digital tools across channels for not only building their readership but also opening multiple avenues encouraging financial contributions. From blogs to newsletters and podcasts, digitally savvy poets now have unprecedented opportunities to engage global audiences with their content while also driving recurring value exchange incentives.
Modern poetry platforms like Poets.org enable poets to easily compile accessible online catalogs archiving their works while availing tools to gate new releases for paying members only. Implementing such tiered membership tools and subscription models can deliver consistent revenue inflows for poets from their true supporters.
Performance Poetry and Public Readings
According to market estimates, the entire spoken word industry generated $200 to $500 million as far back as 2017. Hence live performances have clearly emerged as one of the most lucrative ways for poets to supplement incomes while enhancing visibility of their work.
In fact, given its reliance on impassioned oratory for grabbing attention, elements of performance run deep within poetic expression making public events a natural showcase for such talents. Poetry slams continue to gain cultural resonance with competitive events where attendance often surpasses hundreds. Even small neighborhood events often dole out cash prizes upwards of $200 to winners.
Other opportunities to earn from readings range from open mic events to featured performances across arts centers and libraries to Artists-in-Schools initiatives. Consistency in participation across multiple events and platforms can deliver significant cumulative payouts for poets over time. Iconic poet Taylor Mali earns around $20000 every year from conducting spoken word poetry workshops for high school students alone!
Offering Private Poetry Tuition
For poets with the skills and expertise to guide budding talents, teaching the tools of the trade through private tuition remains an evergreen avenue for monetizing their capabilities while giving back to the community.
Aspiring poets across all age groups often seek personalized coaching and learning in aspects like idea generation, understanding rhythm and meter or receiving constructive critique on literary devices from esteemed published experts charging premium rates.
Building visibility for tutoring services across local channels and global online platforms can secure a steady stream of students seeking to master various facets of excelling at poetry as an artform. Rates tend to depend significantly on tutor profiles but skilled mentors can expect to charge anywhere between $40 and $100 per hour-long virtual lesson.
Poetry in the Digital Economy
The holy grail for upcoming poets remains securing a major book publication deal with one of the "Big Five" giants dominating today‘s publishing landscape – Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster. Even a middling advance payment from such venerated literary titans tends to run into thousands of dollars while bestselling poets often sign million-dollar contracts for print rights.
However, norms of business model disruption apply to the publishing arena as much as any other. Recent years have shown the rise of poets and authors who‘ve managed to attain both commercial success and artistic authenticity by shunning major labels to retain control over creative outputs through self-publishing initiatives distributed directly to worldwide consumers.
Empowered by on-demand printing capabilities, user-friendly design software and expanded retail platforms for selling online, poetic artists now face staggeringly low barriers to compiling polished poetry collections themselves and taking ownership over readership monetization processes. Rather than settle for tiny royalty percentages, direct-to-consumer distribution enabled viral poets like Melody Lee to literally sell truckloads of poetry books from the back of her vehicle during the pandemic!
Tech visionaries like Mark Cuban affirm that programmable money will emerge as the next seismic shift driving economic progress. Several poets have already begun integrating tiered patronage models for supporters to unlock exclusive content and network effects through recurring crypto micro-payments.
Commitment towards consistent creation, fostering communities of loyal readers and implementing innovative digital merchandising ideas on Web 3.0 looks likely to shape sustainability for poetic talents looking to organically grow presence as artist brands in the economy of the future.
Conclusion
The possibilities for converting poetic talents into a viable profession continue expanding dramatically in today‘s technology-driven creative economy. Whether through tapping innovative digital channels or sustaining success across traditional pathways, poetic wordsmiths willing to align artistic integrity with an entrepreneurial outlook can discover multifaceted opportunities to monetize passions into full-fledged careers built around their verse.
