SUBMITTING YOUR WORK

For reviews, you need to type copies of your poems, double spaced on A4 paper with your name and address on each page. Make sure you allow a margin approximately 4 cm around the entire page. Send about 4 pages of poetry, unless otherwise stated or requested. Remember to include a stamped self-addressed envelope. If you are submitting to an overseas country, then you will need to approach your local Post Office in regards to International Reply Coupons. Replies normally take 3 months or more, so it patience is a must. 

For manuscripts, each publishing house has a different list of submission requirements. Listed below is a general guideline that is common amongst the majority of publishing houses. You need to type copies of your poems, double spaced on A4 paper allowing a 4 cm margin around the entire page. Send approximately 30 - 75 pages of your manuscript. Make sure it is a duplicate and the original remains in your possession.

Most publishers would prefer you avoid using elaborate binding and stapling. In most cases a paper clip or butterfly clip will be sufficient. Along with your submission, you may be required to include a synopsis of the theme(s), as well as a 1 - 2 page cover letter, stating a brief account of the book, why it was written, the authors background and the authors qualifications. In some cases, you may be asked to submit a C.V.

Don't forget to include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) along with your submission if you wish for your manuscript to be returned. Make sure there is sufficient postage (International Reply Coupons) and the envelope supplied is large enough. Again, allow 3 months or more for a response.

Actual scan of an International Reply Coupon. Click coupon for a larger view.

REMEMBER! The above is just a general guideline. Some publishers will request extra categories or modify existing categories. Some publishers may ask that you submit samples via email or your manuscript on a diskette or CD in a particular format. As mentioned, each publishing house is different with their guidelines and I remind you to make sure you confirm the guidelines prior to submission. Publishers have a low tolerance threshold when their guidelines have not been met.

COPYRIGHT

Below is a basic description of the copyright laws in regards to writers. We advise everyone to visit the Copyright Council for an in-depth description of all copyright scenarios involving writers.

Under Australian law you automatically have copyright over your written work. As many visitors to the site may remember, copyright would last for the duration of the authors life plus 50 years after death. However, since the Free Trade agreement between Australia and the United States (AUSFTA), the length of copyright after death has increased to 70 years. However, if copyright expired before 1st January 2005, the copyright will not be revived therefore falling under the old copyright laws of life plus 50 years.

Once copyright has expired, the work or works in question become public domain and can be freely used. Hence, if a literary piece has never been published (made available to the public), copyright does not expire. Works published under a pseudonym are only copyright protected for 70 years from the year of publication.

The © symbol is significant only under US law. Magazines and newspapers, when they pay, pay for the right to be the first publisher of your work.

For more information on copyright in Australia, please visit:

COPYRIGHT AGENCY LTD
Level 19, 157 Liverpool Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 2 9394 7600
Fax: +61 2 9394 7601
Web: http://www.copyright.com.au/
Email: info@copyright.com.au

AUSTRALIAN COPYRIGHT COUNCIL
245 Chalmers Street
Redfern, NSW 2016
AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 2 9318 1788
Fax: +61 2 9698 3536
Web: http://www.copyright.org.au/
Email: info@copyright.org.au

** For more information regarding the copyright of your work(s) when used in a foreign country, please visit:

THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF REPRODUCTION RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS (IFRRO)
Rue du Prince Royal 87
B-1050 Brussels
BELGIUM

Phone: +32 2 551 08 99
Fax: +32 2 551 08 95
Web: http://www.ifrro.org/
Email: secretariat@ifrro.be

REVIEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Listed below are seven highly noted establishments where your works may be critiqued and published in their journals. Some addresses may have changed or you may know of new establishments that you wish OPS to further review. Please let us know [here].

Antipodes
Paul Kane - Poetry Editor
Department of English
Box 299, Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604, USA

Email: kane@vassar.edu
Web: http://www.australianliterature.org/

The Age
Poetry Editor
250 Spencer Street
Melbourne, Vic 3000

Web: http://www.theage.com.au/

The Bulletin
Poetry Editor
GPO Box 3957
Sydney, NSW 2001

Web: http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/

Island Magazine
Poetry Editor
PO Box 210
Sandy Bay, Tas 7006

Phone: +61 3 6226 2325
Fax: +61 3 6226 2172
Web: http://www.islandmag.com/
Email: island@tassie.net.au

Quadrant
Les A. Murray - Literary Editor
PO Box 82
Balmain, NSW 2041

Phone: +61 2 9818 1155
Fax: +61 2 9818 1422
Web: http://quadrant.org.au/

Southerly
Deptartment of English
University of Sydney, NSW 2006

Web: http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/publications/southerly/

Sydney Morning Herald
Literary Editor
GPO Box 506
Sydney, NSW 2001

Web: http://www.smh.com.au/

POETRY MASTER

American poet Dan Masterson helps writers with revision and submission for a modest fee. Check out his web site for more information about preparation, payment and so forth.

Web: http://www.poetrymaster.com/
Email: prdan@optonline.net