Gyroscope Review is a print and online poetry magazine published quarterly. You can read their current issue as well as past issue on their site or order them in print. They welcome both new and established poets. They also currently have a list of poetry resources up on their main page. Make sure to check out the different links and follow the blogs and sites that appeal to you.
I wondered how and why this magazine came to be, so I asked Editors Constance Brewer and Kathleen Cassen Mickelson a few questions to find out. See my interview with Brewer and a link to their submission guidelines below.
HOPKINSON: Tell me a little bit about Gyroscope Review.
BREWER: Gyroscope Review offers fine contemporary poetry in all genres, including science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Gyroscope Review gives both readers and writers a place outside the realm of college-sponsored literary magazines. Submissions are accepted year-round, except for two weeks between each issue as noted on our website.
Gyroscope Review is produced quarterly in PDF format, available on its website so it can be read digitally on any device. Print and Kindle editions are available for purchase on Amazon.
The editors submit nominations for the Pushcart Prize annually.
HOPKINSON: How/why was Gyroscope Review originally started?
BREWER: Launched in early 2015, Gyroscope Review publishes finely crafted contemporary poetry in all genres, from both new and established poets. The editors are two contemporary poets who learned their trade by working on other literary magazines, and decided to put forth their own magazine as a place for the unpretentious modern reader who needs a break from the daily deluge of information.
HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience?
BREWER: Modern readers looking to immerse themselves in contemporary poetry.
HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for?
BREWER: We are looking for fine, contemporary poetry. Nothing with archaic language. We are not fond of poems that talk about writing poetry or love poems that don’t bring something new to the table. We rarely take forms unless they are well done.
The editors have eclectic tastes and tend to reject rhyming poetry or poetry that is better heard as spoken word.
HOPKINSON: What do you wish you’d see submitted, but rarely comes in?
BREWER: We’d love more well done political commentary. No rants. Personally, I’d like to see more Japanese forms. I’d love a renga. Collaborative poetry is a new interest of ours.
MICKELSON: I appreciate poems that lean toward political but never forget that it’s personal. I see a lot of poems that try to make a political statement but never move past the broad stroke that says, “this is unfair,” and delve into the personal twist that pulls the reader into the piece. I’m a big fan of those moments that we all have in front of us day-to-day that sometimes evolve into the epitome of a much larger realization. I second Constance’s “no rants” comment. Honor the reader’s intelligence.
HOPKINSON: What are some of your favorite lit mags/journals?
BREWER: 32 Poems, Poet Lore, The Linnet’s Wings, Colorado Review and many others. I like to sample.
MICKELSON: The journal Poetry keeps going and going, honoring work both old and new, which I love and I subscribe to it. I tend to meander all over among the journals out there, with no particular favorite. I love what Rattle does with their Poets Respond feature.
HOPKINSON: Where can folks send submissions?
BREWER: We accept submissions only through Submittable. https://gyroscopereview.submittable.com/submit
HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you?
BREWER: We have a contact form on our website at gyroscopereview.com
Email: editors@gyroscopereview.com
Click here to read submission guidelines.
DEADLINE: March 15, 2018
SUBMISSION FEE: None
PAYMENT: None
FORMAT: Print and online
FORMS: poetry
NOTES: Special themed issue is also open for poetry submissions until March 15. Theme is “threes.”
DUOTROPE: https://duotrope.com/listing/16463
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Categories: Call for Submissions, Interviews
It’s always interesting to me when a publication goes out of its way to bad-mouth formal or rhyming poetry. There is certainly as much, if not more, very bad non-formal and non-rhyming poetry being written these days. Why not just say “send your very best work?”
Do you have any insight into this? After all, the song lyrics that accompany our lives and have more influence on more lives than any poet could hope for in their wildest dreams is…rhyming poetry.
I wouldn't consider this bad mouthing, it seems the editor is just describing the aesthetic of the magazine, in the same way lit mags that focus on formal poetry typically don't publish free verse.
OK, thanks for the clarification. I guess I haven’t seen any publications that say they only want formal poetry and rhymes (beyond those focused on haiku), but I’m sure you’re right. It just always seems odd to me that someone would dismiss rhymes and form out of hand.
Formal verse lit mags often do the same with free verse. There's room for all forms of poetry. I have dabbled in lots of it, even slam. I love trying to bring the different types of poets together. It's all poetry to me :). Here's my list of formal verse markets: https://trishhopkinson.wpcomstaging.com/where-to-submit-formal-verse-rhyming-blank-verse-villanelle-sonnet-etc/
Thanks Tish! You really are a wonderful resource. Even if I’m not sending much out these days, I enjoy reading about the publications and looking at what they have available to read. (Who says poetry is dead?)
You’re welcome! Thanks for adding to the very much alive poetry conversation!
Trish, your answer here is spot on. Having a publication that offers readers a certain type of poetry no way diminishes other forms of poetry. There is plenty of room in the community for journals to hone their publications to suit a specific niche.
Thanks so much for sharing information about Gyroscope Review with your audience, Trish. The sense of community you have here on your site is wonderful.
Thank you for participating!
Trish,
I have a poet friend in Wyoming that is an amazing writer. I'm trying to encourage her to submit her poetry to various contests. Would you put her on your email list? I think you know I've been diagnosed with cancer and it has curtailed my entering time, but I still save your emails and hope to get back at it. Anyway, please let me know if you would be willing to add her.
Her name is Carla Solberg
carlasglass@gmail.com
Thanks so much You're amazing
Cindy
Will do. Always nice to hear from you. Best wishes.