I’m thrilled to spotlight new words {press}, a nonprofit literary home dedicated to uplifting emerging and established trans* and gender-expansive poets. Founded and led by brooklyn baggett, the press has quickly become a vital space for innovative work, community-building, and boundary-pushing poetics. In our conversation, baggett shares the origins of the press, the activism that fuels it, and what she hopes to see more of in the submissions queue. If you’re writing risk-taking poetry—or simply want to support a press doing essential, joyful literary work—this is one to keep on your radar.

new words {press} is currently open for Issue no. 8, and poets working in boundary-pushing, risk-taking, or hybrid forms are especially encouraged to send work. Submissions are fee-free, accepted via Submittable, and remain open until April 20, 2026. The journal publishes three times a year, with an average response time of about two weeks and payment of $10 plus a contributor copy. If you’ve been looking for a welcoming home for innovative poetry by trans* and gender expansive writers, this is a great moment to submit.

HOPKINSON: Tell me a little bit about new words {press}. 

BAGGETT: new words {press} is a sponsored nonprofit dedicated to elevating emerging and established trans* and gender-expansive poetic voices, building community, and sharing knowledge. We publish three poetry journal issues a year, as well as chapbooks and full-length books. We do our best to offer workshops and reading evens whenever possible in order to build community. 

HOPKINSON: How/why was new words {press} originally started? 

BAGGETT: I started new words {press} three years ago. While one catalyst was the total lack of poetry opportunities for trans* writers, the primary catalyst was activism. I wanted to do more than protest, and I’m not much of an organizer. I wanted to find a way to use the privilege I have along with my skill set to make a difference; one that I believed would be sustainable for me. With a 20+ year background in web development and digital marketing, experience with literary journals, experience starting and owning businesses, and financial means, this was the logical choice– one I was passionate about. Activism can take on many forms. So, I just jumped in. 

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience? 

BAGGETT: Anyone interested in new, innovative poetry. I hate to say everyone because that’s never the case, but the target audience is large. Unfortunately, the cis, straight audience often thinks this is poetry FOR trans* people, but nothing could be farther from the truth. This is incredible poetry that happens to be written by trans* poets. I’m still looking for ways to message this more to the cis audience. They can really connect with brilliant poetry, and in many cases, identify and empathize with the trans* experience. Much of what trans* people encounter is exactly the same as any human being– loss, grief, success, the mundane, relationships, and connection. 

HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for in submissions? 

BAGGETT: We want work that takes risks & erases boundaries in form, content, diction, language, and process. While there is a review process for submissions, we are not afraid of work that would likely be rejected by mainstream cis journals. We have a no topic is out of bounds policy, expecting of course anything that is hate speech. 

HOPKINSON: What do you wish you’d see submitted, but rarely comes in? 

BAGGETT: I love experimental work, which is a broad statement, and our journals definitely reflect just how broad that spectrum is. I’d love to see more boundary pushing work, including poetry that integrates visual elements. 

HOPKINSON: What are some of your favorite lit mags/journals?

BAGGETT: Great question. Foglifter, Rattle, River Styx, Fourteen Poems, beestung, Impossible Archetype, and the list goes on and on. 

HOPKINSON: What is your favorite part of being on staff with the new words {press}?

BAGGETT: Seeing the brilliant work of trans* poets go out into the world, and seeing the community that’s coming together.

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions? 

BAGGETT: We use submittable. There’s also a submit page on our website that has all of the guidelines and a link to our submittable page.

HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you? 

BAGGETT: Since it’s mostly me handling everything, anyone can contact me at brooklyn@newwordspress.com or fill out the form on the website (it comes directly to me)

HOPKINSON: Is there anything exciting coming up you’d like to mention? 

BAGGETT: Yes! We have three new books coming out soon: it answers to my name by samari zysk, Revenant Walk by Arya Burkes, and The Ballad of a Bloodless Hangnail by Harper Walton. Also, we’ll be having a reading event on July 20th to coincide with the New York Poetry Festival that will feature many of our authors. Details to come. 

Click here to read submission guidelines.

• SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 20, 2026
  • Currently open for Issue no. 8. Submissions close April 20, 2026. We publish the journal 3 times a year. Manuscript calls only occur when there is bandwidth to read them.
• FORMAT: print
• SUBMISSION FEE: None
• PAYMENT: $10 + a copy of the issue
• ISSUE FREQUENCY: triannual 
• AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME: 2 weeks
• SUBMISSION METHOD: Submittable
• SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: Yes
• FORMS: Poetry & Hybrid Poetry
• LISTINGS: Chill Subs, CLMP
• SOCIAL MEDIA: YouTube, Bluesky

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