Contemporary Verse 2

NOTE: Contemporary Verse 2 accepts general submissions from Sept 1 to Nov 30, and from Feb 1 to May 31.

Submissions of poetry, reviews and critical writing are accepted.

If you wish to submit for a specific themed issue, please indicate this in your cover letter.
Full submission guidelines

“But my courage is roaring like the sound of the sun

‘Cause it’s vain about its mane and will reveal

I’m an animal, you’re an animal too.” Neko Case, “I‘m an Animal”

“Beat drums! Beat drums!” Animal, from The Muppet Show

Roar, peep, hiss! This is a call for submissions for the Animal Issue! Send your poems that go wild! Or domesticated. Eulogize beloved pets or go on about how you wanna be someone's dog. Submit poems about animal instincts and animal desires. Anthropomorphize until your heart's content. I bet you have feelings about famous animals and I want poetry about Benji, or King Kong or animated chipmunks. I want your animal energies and animalistic tendencies and to know what the soft animal of your body is really up to. I want to see all the poems about peoples' favourite fauna, from land, air or sea! Be funny, be fun, be sad, be sentimental. This issue is about the animals of the world and the animal in us all.

Deadline to submit: Dec 15, 2022

Submission Guidelines

Any submissions that do not follow correct guidelines or do not include full contact information will not be considered for publication and will not receive a reply. Please read the submission guidelines before sending us your work. Submit your work using the link below.

Editorial Aim and Policy

Contemporary Verse 2 is a quarterly literary journal that publishes poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. It is our policy to publish new writing by both emerging and established poets. The writing we encourage reflects a diversity representing a range of social and cultural experience along with literary excellence.

Suitability for Publication

CV2 purchases first North American serial print rights and limited, non-exclusive digital rights only. Authors retain full copyright for works published in CV2.

We suggest that writers research literary journals carefully before submitting their work to determine that the journal’s aesthetics match that of their writing. Because of the number of submissions we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback to everyone who requests it. If you are a new writer, we recommend seeking consultation from an experienced writer. For manuscript consultation services and programs, contact your local or provincial writing organization for assistance.

A sample of CV2 content is published on our website. In addition, back issues of CV2 are available for $5 (+$2 shipping) in our store. Or, check the list of where to buy CV2.

French Language Submissions

CV2 welcomes poetry submissions in French, as well as translation projects, including both French to English and English to French.

Length of Submissions

• Poetry submissions: no more than 6 pages.
• Interviews: no more than 6-8 pages in length, double-spaced.
• Articles: no more than 3-4 pages, double-spaced.
• Essays: no more than 2-4 pages, double-spaced.
• Reviews should be 600-1000 words, double-spaced. (Between ½ and 2 pages long.)

Note: For submissions of critical writing, including articles, essays, interviews, and reviews, please include a word count in your cover letter. Authors of critical writing should be prepared for editorial suggestions regarding length, tone, and format.