5 Ventures Introducing Great Poetry To Readers

Poetry distills life experiences in vivid and unique ways. A remarkably diverse art form, it runs the gamut from lyrical reflections to collections of repurposed text. If you're interested in learning more about the genre, then here, in no particular order, is a selection of organizations at work in the world of poetry.

Coming in at #1 is Baseline Press. Located in Ontario, this micro-press makes limited-edition chapbooks of poetry. Since its founding in 2011, it has released many hand-sewn collections, written by veteran and emerging poets from Canada. It receives support from the London Arts Council.

Past titles from Baseline Press include Sarah Burgoyne's "Love the Sacred Raisin Cakes," a collection of lyric poems, and Sandra Ridley's "Quell," a poetic sequence exploring life and death. In recognition of its unique work, Baseline Press and its authors have garnered coverage in several media outlets, like Canthius and The Temz Review.

In the #2 spot is Whitmore Press. Based in Melbourne, this independent organization publishes contemporary Australian poetry, releasing limited-edition chapbooks and full-length collections. It runs a manuscript prize as well, with past awards going to Carmen Leigh Keates's "Meteorites" and Lucy Todd's "Listening to the Mopokes Go."

Other works from Whitmore Press range from Eddie Paterson's "redactor," which creates poetry from found texts, to Diane Fahey's "November Journal," which chronicles her time at an artists' retreat. This venture also hosts launch events for its publications, with speeches and readings from authors.

At #3 is The Greensboro Review. Established in 1966, this journal features both poetry and fiction. Published by the MFA Writing Program at UNC Greensboro, it places a particular emphasis on work that takes risks and might otherwise be overlooked.

Supported by a team of MFA candidates, The Greensboro Review has published poetry by writers such as Forrest Rapier, Hannah VanderHart. and Kathryn Stripling Byer. This journal runs the Robert Watson Literary Prize, an annual contest in poetry and fiction.

Coming in at #4 is New England Review. Published by Middlebury College, it is committed to discovering new voices in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition to these genres, the publication features plays and works in translation, as well as international writing, typically in an annual issue that focuses on another part of the world.

Founded by poets Sydney Lea and Jay Parini in 1982, New England Review has an impressive history of publishing poetry. Among the ranks of its featured authors are Ocean Vuong, Mark Doty, and Louise Erdrich, as well as Devon Walker-Figueroa, who in 2018 won the New England Review Award for Emerging Writers. The journal itself has received praise from publications such as the Boston Globe and Every Writer.

Last but not least, at #5 is Jack Jones Literary Arts. Established in 2015 by founder Kima Jones, this Los Angeles-based book publicity company offers support and services for writers. In particular, it focuses its efforts on bold literature penned by women of color.

This company devises unique publicity campaigns for clients and runs one-on-one consultations with authors. In the past, it has collaborated with poets such as Tyehimba Jess and Khaty Xiong. In recognition of its work, Jack Jones Literary Arts has received coverage from The Root and NPR.