Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions about Sunday Mornings at the River or our submission guidelines, please take a moment to review the FAQ below before reaching out to us. This will help ensure that you have all the information you need and will allow us to better assist you. We hope that this information helps you decide if Sunday Mornings at the River is the right fit for you and your writing.
How do I submit my work for consideration?
Visit our website’s submission page for guidelines and instructions. Please use the provided template and send all your poems in a single document.
What types of work do you publish?
We publish English-language poetry from around the world. You don’t need to be a native speaker to submit. We gravitate toward poetry that’s bold, political, and packs a punch. Check our submission guidelines or pick up one of our books to get a feel for our style.
Do contributors receive a free paperback copy or a discount?
No, contributors do not receive free paperback copies or discounts. As a not-for-profit press, all proceeds are reinvested into publishing future work. However, we do provide contributors with a free digital copy of the anthology as a token of appreciation.
What does “not-for-profit” mean?
It means every penny we make goes directly back into the press—covering printing costs, expanding our reach, and supporting poets. The press is run by a solo editor (funded by her care job), ensuring we remain independent and dedicated to amplifying voices, not profits.
What is your response time for submissions?
Response times vary depending on the volume of submissions. While we aim to respond within a month after the submission window closes, please be patient.
Do you accept simultaneous submissions?
No. As a solo-run press, we ask for exclusivity during the review process to ensure we can give every submission the attention it deserves.
Do you pay poets?
For anthology contributors, we currently provide a free digital copy of the book as a token of appreciation. We don’t generate profits and don’t pay ourselves, as the press is fully volunteer-run. Occasionally, we dedicate anthologies to charities, donating proceeds to causes we believe in.
For poets with individual pamphlets, they receive 65% of the royalties, as we believe the majority of earnings should go directly to the creator. Some of them even receive 100% of the royalties because of their individual situations.
Can I submit work that has been previously published?
Yes, we accept previously published work. However, we will not credit the original publisher in our books.
Do I keep the rights to my work?
Yes. All rights remain with the author. We only ask for permission to publish your work in our anthology or book during the agreed timeframe.
How many poems can I submit?
There’s no strict limit, but please include all your poems in a single document, with each new poem starting on a new page.
What happens to the profits from book sales?
At this time, the press does not generate personal profit. All proceeds go toward covering production costs and ensuring future publications.
I’m broke. How can I support your work?
There are plenty of ways to help without spending a dime:
Share our posts with your friends.
Leave reviews on Amazon or Goodreads for our books.
Recommend us to other poets and writers.
Spread the word about open calls and new releases.
Where can I purchase your books?
You can find our books on Amazon.
Do you reply to every submission?
We try to respond to every submission, but if you haven’t heard from us after a reasonable amount of time, feel free to send a polite follow-up.
Do you work with a contract?
Yes, we provide contributors with a simple contract outlining the terms of publication to protect both your rights and ours on request.
Do you work with guest bloggers?
No, we don’t work with guest bloggers. All blog posts on our website are written in-house to reflect the voice and values of Sunday Mornings at the River.
Do you accept books for review on your blog?
Yes, we accept digital copies of books for review if they align with our focus and values. We’re particularly interested in poetry collections or works that pack a political or emotional punch. Please note that we cannot guarantee reviews for every submission, but we’ll feature books that truly resonate with us.
Please continue the submission process by reading our guidelines.