Submission Guidelines

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.

Note: Unsolicited submissions must be of previously unpublished work and we do not consider simultaneous submissions for publication. CV2 purchases first world serial rights only. Authors retain full copyright for works published in CV2.

Length of Submissions

Poetry submissions should include no more than 4-6 poems.

Interviews should be not more than 6-8 pages in length, double-spaced.

Articles should be no more than 3-4 pages, double-spaced.

Essays should be no more than 2-4 pages, double-spaced.

Reviews should be 600-1000 words, double-spaced. (Between ½ and 2 pages long.)

Note: All submissions should be printed on one side of letter-sized paper only. If possible, submissions of critical writing including articles, essays, interviews, and reviews should include a word count, either on the title page or in your covering letter. Authors of critical writing should be prepared for editorial suggestions regarding length, tone, and format.

Submission Requirements

Each submission should include:

A short cover letter with your name, address, phone/fax, and email, if possible.

A short (three-line) biographical statement for editorial purposes.

Your name and address at the top of each page of your submission.

A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Submissions from outside Canada require international reply coupons or Canadian postage. Foreign postage, including US stamps, is unacceptable in Canada.

Email Submissions

CV2 will accept email submissions FROM CANADIANS ONLY, which should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please note that all email submissions must follow the same format as regular submissions: include a covering letter (see above) and include your name on every page of submitted poems. Please send your submission as a single attachment of a Microsoft Word or RTF (rich text format) document. If this is not an option, you may paste your submission into the body of your email, as long as it still follows our submission guidelines.

Please note: Any email 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 regular submission guidelines before sending us your work.

CV2 offers the opportunity of email submission to Canadian contributor poets because we understand the cost of sending submissions by regular mail can be hard on those on limited incomes. However, the review time required to consider email submissions is the same as for those that come by regular post – anywhere from 2 to 6 months. We ask that you please be patient with our editorial process, which is designed to ensure that all submissions are considered with the same care. Also note that CV2 does not accept simultaneous submissions sent to us by any method. We will reject outright all simultaneous submissions.

Note: Because of publication deadlines, our questions concerning editing often require a quick turnaround, meaning publication of your work could be jeopardized or delayed if you do not provide accurate contact information.

Payment

Poetry: $30 per poem

Interviews: $50-$100, depending upon length

Articles: $50-$100, depending upon length

Essays: $40-$150, depending upon length

Reviews: $20-$75, depending upon length

Note: Writers whose work is selected for publication receive 2 complimentary copies of the issue in which their work appears. This is in addition to payment.

Suitability for Publication

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.

Back issues of CV2 are available for $5 ($2 shipping) in our back issues section. Or, check the list of where to buy CV2.

Send Submissions to

Contemporary Verse 2
502-100 Arthur Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 1H3

or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Canadians only. Please read our email submission guidelines above).

If you are interested in submitting to Contemporary Verse 2, please read about our upcoming issues.