Read posted guidelines on the poetry publishing house website

To avoid having your hard work tossed into the "slush" pile along with other works that never get read, follow the rules. If the company website says to double-space all entries, or have a coversheet for each poem, do it. It is usually the publisher's first test, and it is easy to pass.

I recommend: Rosebud posts their guidelines very clearly on their submissions page, as does Manic D Press.

Make sure that the poetry book publishing companies you contact accept unsolicited submissions

It is always disappointing when you prepare and send your poetry to a publishing house only to be met with an e-mail rejecting your work without anyone even reading it. Even worse, you could be eagerly awaiting a response that never comes because your submission was simply deleted. Save yourself some trouble by reading the website's policy on unsolicited poetry submissions.

I recommend: Many larger publishing companies like Houghton Mifflin do not accept unsolicited work, but smaller poetry book publishers like City Lights Books accept poetry proposals. Oberlin College Press allows unsolicited submissions, but only by mail.

Send submissions to poem publishing companies that publish through unique media

While it may be your ultimate goal to get your poetry into a hardcover book, you might have a better chance at getting your first poems published online or in a poetry magazine. However, do not give up your dream of impressing poem book publishers, as this just may be your first step towards that goal.

I recommend: Poetry Magazine accepts work submitted online, and is a great resource for newer poets. Blackbird is an online journal that encourages poetry submissions.