Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

Dear Reader, you mostly have the advantage, having got to know me since 1995, through the pages of 20 issues of this magazine. But I’m slowly beginning to recognize you, and your work, and must start by thanking you for the letters, kind comments and wonderful poems. And subs – where would we be without them? So many of you put your money where your mouth is, often of your own accord. But I’ve had no qualms, you see, in requesting everybody to support the magazine, having discovered that asking nicely resulted in a tremendous response.

The quality of submissions has been nearly as staggering as the quantity. A fitting tribute to Mike Shields, who over the past 22 years, has done so much to establish ORBIS as one of the finest Small Press magazine. I’ll thank him again, before the enormity of the undertaking fully sinks in. And Rupert Loydell for continuing as Reviews Editor, along with patiently providing advice and suggestions, Janine Pinion for the cover artwork and Matt Bryden, the new Associate Editor, for taking over the Poetry Index, as well as for his continuing help and support.

So, what’s in store? Well, that’s up to you as well as me. This first year will be one of making haste slowly, testing out changes, finding out what works and – maybe ambitious, aiming to please most of the people most of the time. For example, you’ll find out more about what Rupert has in mind about reviewing in a separate feature, similarly Matt, on magazine reviews. As to what I’m after in poetry submissions, there’s some detailed guidelines to inwardly digest or better yet, learn by heart.

Changes so far? New style cover but layout is familiar, apart from swapping the Reviews Section with the Poetry Index, the latter moved to the end to make space for more poems by reducing the Competitions section to a listing, including the back inside cover. A couple of minor alterations, in that titles and headings are lower case, allowing for more leeway than capitals. And having always liked the way Rupert identifies each reviewer by naming their section, I’ve borrowed that idea for each poetry section. With Survey and Lines on Lines, normal service should be resumed by the next issue; some kind of Forum is invaluable, writing being an isolated business. This time however, well, you know what they say about wallpapering a room with rejection slips? I reckon I could have filled the entire magazine with letters of good wishes but to avoid a sense of déjà vu, please take it as read, and appreciated. In their place, we have a couple of interesting features, as mentioned above; comments in response welcome.

And finally, thanks to you all for some amazing poetry. One of the best things about performance poetry is the incredible synchronicity, similar themes expressed in a multiplicity of ways, which makes for an exhilarating and inspiring atmosphere. Great minds think alike indeed; so it proved when selecting the contents, resulting in some fascinating juxtapositions. And as far as I’m concerned, a good poem is a good poem, whether written by student or OAP, lottery winner or jobseeker, country dweller or urbanite. Whether it comes from man, woman – or Martian. Thus, exceptionally helpful criteria to define a good poem: something which gets me right there. More accurately, I’ve discovered, work which makes me want to grab hold of the nearest person immediately and read it to them. Many of you hit the spot; even if unsuccessful at first, keep in mind that poems are usually returned, not rejected, often through lack of space or similar themes. Keep them coming. ORBIS has long had a reputation as an outstanding literary journal and will continue to do so, and that’s largely through your efforts. Like beauty, poetry is in the eye of the beholder. Behold, ORBIS – hope you like what you see.