Submit Your Work
We don’t publish poetry that whispers. We publish the rupture — the diasporic grief that refuses translation, the vernacular that won’t polish itself for the academy, the work that breaks concrete.
Up to 3 poems, 5 pages max
Anyone breaking concrete — diasporic voices, Appalachian poets, academics dropping the mask, the weird and feral
The unpolished, the visceral, the shrapnel
Choose your submission speed. Your fee helps support our operations and ensures we can pay poets fairly.
Response in 30–60 days
Response in 7–10 days + editorial feedback
Your name is stripped from the document before it reaches the editor. No CVs. No MFA pedigree. Just the line breaks and the blood.
50 words on where this poem roots — geographically, emotionally, historically. Not your bio. The archaeology.
Example: “Written during the February 2026 freeze, tracing frost patterns that matched my father’s 1987 Kingston ledgers.”
Every accepted poet receives $25 CAD plus a digital copy of Issue 01.
When will I hear back about my submission?
Decisions will be announced in early May 2026. If you submitted during Issue 01's window (April 1–15), you'll receive an email with the status of your work. Thank you for your patience as we read.
Can I submit again for Issue 02?
Yes. Issue 02 submissions will open in late summer 2026. We encourage you to submit again, whether or not your work was accepted for Issue 01. Each issue is a fresh read.
How can I stay updated on Issue 01 release?
Follow @therootsystemreview and @ramrockspeaks on Instagram for announcements. You can also subscribe to our newsletter (link in the footer) to receive updates about accepted poets and the Issue 01 launch date.
Can I submit in languages other than English?
Yes. We welcome poems in any language. If your poem is not in English, please include an English translation or a brief note about the original language. We read blind, so language choice won't affect your chances.
Do you accept previously published work?
No. We only accept unpublished poems. This includes work that hasn't appeared in journals, anthologies, magazines, or online publications. Self-published or posted work on personal blogs or social media counts as published.
Do you have any content restrictions?
No. We publish work with explicit language, violence, sexual content, and other mature themes. We're interested in what's true, not what's polite. The only restriction is that your work should be your own original writing.
Thank you to everyone who submitted. We received powerful work and are reading with care. Decisions will be announced in early May.
Issue 01 — A Global Excavation
Check back soon for accepted poets and Issue 01 launch.