ditch,

ditch, is a venue primarily for Canadian innovative poets, although we do accept work from International writers.

ditch, publishes work that is non-linear, abstract, surreal, avant-garde, alternative, innovative, visual, concrete and/or experimental.

Reads year round. Usually replies within one month.
There is no regular publishing schedule, the site will be updated when new work is ready to be posted.

Basically, we are looking for work which uses language in a unique way. We aren’t so concerned with form or content, but with the language.

The slant of the magazine is more towards the objective than the personal. We do publish a fair number of “I” poems, but only when there is something unique about the language.  We tend to shy away from too many “I” poems and too many poems moaning over bad relationships as it is a subject that has been done to death – but, of course, we will publish works dealing with relationships if the subject is presented in a unique and innovative way.

1. We publish poetry only. While there is a blurry line between poetry and prose (a line we often cross), we do not publish short fiction or novel excerpts or essays.
   

2. Previously published works and book excerpts are acceptable. 

3. In submitting you are affirming that you are the copyright holder of the work.
   

4. Please include a brief bio and a picture with your submission.

Bio should include where you are from, a short list of publications in which your work has previously appeared, any books you have published, any awards you have won or been short-listed for, and any other literary credits (editing work, writing schools attended, etc.).

(If you are a new writer and don't have any writing credits, don't worry, you won't be rejected because of the lack of a publication history. Your submission will be read and considered. ditch, has provided many writers with their first publishing credit.)

Note: please provide a serious bio and a straight photo - we tend to shy away from creative bios and joke photos.
       

5. Send the work in the body of an e-mail or, if formatting is important, as an attachment formatted as it should appear on the page (in any text fromat that can be opened by Word or Open Office; graphics should be in a jpg file - please do not send pdf files). ditch, will make every effort to preserve the formatting as submitted.

Send to:

                                               ditch@ditchpoetry.com 
 

6. ditch, reserves electronic publishing rights and first anthology rights only.
ditch, retains the rights as long as the work remains on the site. Material will be removed from the site at the copyright holder’s request.
 
7. Unfortunately, we are unable to pay contributors at this time.
 
8. The hard line: we do not publish haiku, formal rhyming verse, or mainstream-linear-narrative poetry.