Last Stanza Poetry Journal is closed to submissions

This is the last stanza. Thank you to all the wonderful, talented poets who have submitted to this journal over the years. LSPJ was originally intended as a pandemic project, but it grew and grew. I've met countless special writers, made friends, and learned to love poetry in a way I hadn't before. I would have loved to continue the journal, but it stopped making sense when so few copies of recent issues were being purchased and read. It feels like a disservice to poets to take such excellent writing when those stanzas may only be seen by a few. Your words deserve wide exposure, and I've become unable to offer that, and must admit the journal is no longer what it once was in the world of literature. Thank you also to the artists, supporters, readers, and reposters. All 23 issues will remain available through Amazon and other online outlets. This has been amazing! Be well. Write on. -- Jenny Kalahar

Call for submissions to Issue 23 of Last Stanza Poetry Journal

 

The theme for Last Stanza Poetry Journal, Issue #23, is The Neighborhood. The cover artist is Nat Karson.

The deadline for submissions is December 31st, 2025. A single $100 award will be given for an outstanding poem. There is never a reading fee. An interview with the Editor’s Choice Award winner will be published in the same issue (optional).

Poems may be any style, but preferably non-rhyming. Submit up to three poems, each no longer than 64 lines, to laststanza@outlook.com as a single Word document or within the body of an email. There is no budget for author copies, as proceeds are used to purchase copies for libraries. Published poems will be considered for a Pushcart Prize nomination. Authors retain all rights to their poems. Reprints are no longer accepted.

Last Stanza Poetry Journal is published worldwide in ebook, softcover, and color-illustrated hardcover editions. It is available primarily from Amazon, but some issues are also available via these and other sites: Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository, Blackwell, and Powell’s.

Call for submissions to Last Stanza Poetry Journal Issue 22: Arts & Crafts

 

The theme for Last Stanza Poetry Journal, Issue #22, is Arts & Crafts. The cover is a portrait of Gertrude Jekyll, the most influential Arts & Crafts garden designer of the early 20th century. Let her inspire you to write of gardens, design, or any arts or crafts.

The deadline for submissions is September 30th, 2025. A single $100 award will be given for an outstanding poem. There is never a reading fee. An interview with the Editor’s Choice Award winner will be published in the same issue (optional).

Poems may be any style, but preferably non-rhyming. Submit up to three poems, each no longer than 64 lines, to laststanza@outlook.com as a single Word document or within the body of an email. There is no budget for author copies, as proceeds are used to purchase copies for libraries. Published poems will be considered for a Pushcart Prize nomination. Authors retain all rights to their poems. Reprints are no longer accepted.

Last Stanza Poetry Journal is published worldwide in ebook, softcover, and color-illustrated hardcover editions. It is available primarily from Amazon, but some issues are also available via these and other sites: Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository, Blackwell, and Powell’s.

Callout for submissions to Last Stanza Poetry Journal, Issue 21: Conversation

 

The theme for Last Stanza Poetry Journal Issue #21 is Conversation. Conversations, painful or joyful discussions, debates, gossip, pillow talks, or conversations you've always wished you could have had.

The deadline for submissions is June 30th, 2025. A single $100 award will be given for an outstanding poem. There is never a reading fee. An interview with the Editor’s Choice Award winner will be published in the same issue (optional).

Poems may be any style, but preferably non-rhyming. Submit up to three poems, each no longer than 64 lines, to laststanza@outlook.com as a single Word document or within the body of an email. There is no budget for author copies, as proceeds are used to purchase copies for libraries. Published poems will be considered for a Pushcart Prize nomination. Authors retain all rights to their poems. Reprints are no longer accepted.

Last Stanza Poetry Journal is published worldwide in ebook, softcover, and color-illustrated hardcover. It is available primarily from Amazon, but some issues are also available via these sites and others: Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository, Blackwell, and Powell’s.

Callout for Issue 20 of Last Stanza Poetry Journal: Games

 

The theme for Last Stanza Poetry Journal Issue #20 is Games: board games, cards, puzzles, sports, quizzes, lawn games, role-playing games, etc. The poems will be accompanied by fabulous artworks of antique games.

The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2025. A single $100 award will be given for an outstanding poem. There is never a reading fee. An interview with the Editor’s Choice Award winner will be published in the same issue (optional).

Poems may be any style, but preferably non-rhyming. Submit up to three poems, each no longer than 64 lines, to laststanza@outlook.com as a single Word document or within the body of an email. There is no budget for author copies, as proceeds are used to purchase copies for libraries. Published poems will be considered for a Pushcart Prize nomination. Authors retain all rights to their poems. Reprints are rarely accepted. If the poem has been previously published, please credit the prior publication.

Last Stanza Poetry Journal is published worldwide in ebook, softcover, and color-illustrated hardcover. It is available primarily from Amazon, but some issues are also via these sites and others: Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository, Blackwell, and Powell’s.

Call for Submissions to Last Stanza Poetry Journal, Issue #19: Fable

 

The theme for Last Stanza Poetry Journal Issue #19 is Fable, and it will feature the works of Swedish folk and fantasy artist John Bauer [1882-1918].

 

The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2024. A single $100 award will be given for an outstanding poem. There is never a reading fee. An interview with the Editor’s Choice Award winner will be published in the same issue (optional).

 

Poems can be any style, but preferably non-rhyming. Submit up to three poems, each no longer than 64 lines, to laststanza@outlook.com as a single Word document or within the body of your email. There is no budget for author copies, as proceeds are used to purchase copies for libraries. Published poems will be considered for a Pushcart Prize nomination. Authors retain all rights to their poems. Reprints are rarely accepted. If the poem has been previously published, please credit the prior publication.

 

Last Stanza Poetry Journal is published worldwide in ebook, softcover, and color-illustrated hardcover. It is available primarily from Amazon, but some issues are also via these sites and others: Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository, Blackwell, and Powell’s. 

2025 Pushcart Prize nominees from Last Stanza Poetry Journal

 

Congratulations, nominees!!!