If you write poems, you’ve probably wondered if it’s really possible to get paid to write poetry.
Sure, while the “starving artist” stereotype is applied to poets too, these days there are actually many ways to make money as a poet.
Whether you write haikus, love poems, or deep emotional pieces, I’ve gone through dozens of websites, contests, and platforms to find the ones that actually pay for poems and are worth your time.
And don’t worry, this is not one of those “maybe you will make $1 in 2 years” kind of thing. These are real, legit ways to get paid for your poetry.
Table of Contents
Can You Really Get Paid to Write Poetry?
Yes, you can actually get paid for poetry, and people do it every day!
Some poets earn $50 to $500 (or more) just for one poem. Others win cash prizes in contests or make money by selling their poems online.
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For example, The Sun Magazine pays $100 to $250 per accepted poem. Sites like Rattle and Poetry Foundation also pay real money if they like your work.
Even short poems, like haikus, free verse, or spoken word pieces, can earn you income. Some poets post their poems on Instagram or TikTok and make money through brand deals, merch, or fan donations.
It doesn’t matter if you write classic sonnets or modern, raw emotional poems. If your words connect with people, there are ways to turn that talent into cash.
How Much Can You Make Writing Poetry?
It really depends on what method you sue and how much time and effort you put into writing new poems and selling them.
If you’re just starting out, you might make around $5 to $50 per poem on smaller sites. But if you get accepted by bigger publications, or win a well-known contest, you could earn $100, $250, or even $1,000+.
Some poets write custom poems for things like weddings, tattoos, or greeting cards, and those can pay $25 to $200+ per piece depending on the request.
Now, keep in mind these are just estimates based on what other poets who are making money online have shared on Redid and other social media platforms.
Type of Poetry Work | Typical Pay | Examples / Notes |
|---|---|---|
Small poetry websites | $10–$50 per poem | Arc Poetry, Grain Literary, Fun For Kidz |
Big name literary magazines | $100–$250+ per poem | The Sun Magazine, Poetry Foundation, Rattle |
Poetry contests | $100–$1,000+ (prizes) | Winning Writers, Writer’s Digest Awards, Poetry.com Contest |
Greeting card companies | $25–$300+ per accepted poem or verse | Blue Mountain Arts, American Greetings |
Self-published poem ebooks | Varies — depends on sales | Kindle Direct Publishing |
Freelance poetry jobs | Varies, $5–$200+ per gig | Fiverr, Upwork (custom poems, tattoo verses, song lyrics) |
Social media sharing (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok) | Varies — ads, merch sales, fan donations | Monetize videos and posts with merch, ads, Patreon, Ko-fi |
Print on demand (T-shirts, gifts with poems) | Varies — depends on product sales | CafePress, Zazzle, Etsy collaborations |
Selling poems on Etsy | Varies — depends on product and demand | Prints, wooden signs, collaborations with crafters |
1. Submit to Literary Magazines & Publishers
For most poets, the best way to earn money is by writing poems for literary journals, magazines and websites that focus on literature.
Some of these places also accept short stories. So not only you can get paid for your poems, but you can also get paid to write short stories
Here are a few places that pay for poems to get you started:
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Arc Poetry Magazine
- Pay: $15 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Canadian poetry magazine accepting international work
- Link: Submit to Arc Poetry
Alaska Quarterly Review
- Pay: $10 to $50 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts literary poetry and fiction; postal and online submissions
- Link: Submit to Alaska Quarterly Review
AGNI
- Pay: $20 per printed page (average $40–$80)
- Submission Guidelines: Submit up to 5 poems; accepts online and postal submissions
- Link: Submit to AGNI
Antigonish Review
Update: Antigonish Review has shut down!
- Pay: $30 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Canadian literary journal; accepts fiction and poetry
- Link: Submit to Antigonish Review
Boulevard Magazine
- Pay: $25 to $250
- Submission Guidelines: Prefers literary poetry and essays; accepts up to 5 poems
- Link: Submit to Boulevard
Chicken Soup for the Soul
- Pay: $200 per accepted piece
- Submission Guidelines: Inspirational stories, not poetry-focused but sometimes includes poetic forms
- Link: Submit to Chicken Soup
Clean Sheets
- Pay: $0.03 per word
- Submission Guidelines: Erotic poetry and fiction
- Link: Submit to Clean Sheets
Fun For Kidz Magazines
- Pay: $10 minimum
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts children’s content; poems must be educational/fun
- Link: Submit to Fun For Kidz
Grain Literary Magazine
- Pay: $40 to $70 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Canadian publication accepting international submissions
- Link: Submit to Grain
Goblin Fruit
Update: No longer online!
- Pay: $10 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Specializes in fantastical poetry; seasonal submission windows
- Link: Submit to Goblin Fruit
Leading Edge
Update: No longer accepting submissions!
- Pay: $10 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts sci-fi/fantasy poetry and fiction; open to new writers
- Link: Submit to Leading Edge
New Myths
- Pay: ¢1.5 per word; minimum $30
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts science fiction/fantasy poetry and stories
- Link: Submit to New Myths
Oberlin Review
- Pay: $100–$150 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Open to experimental and traditional poetry; student submissions welcome
- Link: Submit to Oberlin Review
Orion Magazine
- Pay: $100 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Environmental writing; accepts poetry with nature themes
- Link: Submit to Orion Magazine
Poetry Magazine (Poetry Foundation)
- Pay: $10 per line; minimum $300 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts previously unpublished poems; response time may be several months
- Link: Submit to Poetry Magazine
Ploughshares
- Pay: $45 per printed page (minimum $90)
- Submission Guidelines: Submissions open June–January; accepts up to 5 poems
- Link: Submit to Ploughshares
Rattle
- Pay: $200 per poem (print); $100 per poem (online)
- Submission Guidelines: Submit up to 5 poems; accepts simultaneous submissions
- Link: Submit to Rattle
Ruminate Magazine
Update: They have shut down!
- Pay: $15 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts spiritual/faith-based poetry
- Link: Submit to Ruminate Magazine
Slice Magazine
- Pay: $100 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Themes change each issue; accepts up to 5 poems
- Link: Submit to Slice Magazine
The Sun Magazine
Update: No longer accepting submissions.
- Pay: $100 to $250 per accepted poem
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts 1–5 poems; no email submissions; prefers personal, emotional, or reflective work
- Link: Submit to The Sun Magazine
The Threepenny Review
- Pay: $100 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Literary magazine with quick response time
- Link: Submit to The Threepenny Review
The Pedestal Magazine
- Pay: $40 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Online literary journal; accepts up to 5 poems
- Link: Submit to The Pedestal
EPOCH
- Pay: $50 minimum
- Submission Guidelines: Run by Cornell University; accepts fiction, poetry, and essays
- Link: Submit to EPOCH
VQR (Virginia Quarterly Review)
- Pay: $200+ per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Accepts previously unpublished literary work
- Link: Submit to VQR
US Kids Mag
- Pay: $25 minimum
- Submission Guidelines: Poetry must be educational and engaging for children
- Link: Submit to US Kids Mag
The Capilano Review
- Pay: $50 to $150 per poem
- Submission Guidelines: Avant-garde and experimental poetry; Canadian-based
- Link: Submit to The Capilano Review
Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of where you’ve submitted your poems, their pay rates, and response times. This will save you tons of time and help you track your progress.
2. Submit to Poem Contests with Cash Prizes
One of the best ways to get paid for your poetry is by entering contests.
A lot of them offer real cash prizes, some as high as $1,000 or more!
Here are some well-known poetry contests that run every year. Just make sure to double-check deadlines and rules before submitting.
Academy of American Poets Prize (for students)
- Pay: Varies ($100–$500+)
- Submission Guidelines: Available to students at participating colleges; prizes awarded by faculty selection
- Link: Submit to Academy of American Poets Prize
FanStory Poetry Contests
- Pay: Varies by contest (daily, monthly, and themed)
- Submission Guidelines: Multiple contests available; some require membership
- Link: Submit to FanStory Poetry Contests
Poetry.com Contest
- Pay: $5,000 annually; $250 monthly; $25 daily
- Submission Guidelines: Open to all poets; free and ongoing entries
- Link: Submit to Poetry.com Contest
Winning Writers – Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
- Pay: $3,500 total; $2,000 for first place
- Submission Guidelines: Submit one humorous poem; unpublished and free to enter
- Link: Submit to Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
Writer’s Digest Annual Poetry Awards
- Pay: $1,000 + publication
- Submission Guidelines: Open to original, unpublished poems; entry fee required
- Link: Submit to Writer’s Digest Annual Poetry Awards
3. Write Poems for Greeting Card Companies
Don’t overlook greeting cards as a way to get paid for your poetry.
Most greeting card companies pay you for your submissions. It could be a poem, a quote, a very short story, basically anything that is a good fit to put on a greeting card. Of course it has to be your own work.
Here are a few greeting card companies that pay for poem submissions:
- Blue Mountain Arts: Pays around $300 per accepted poem or verse.
- American Greetings: Payment varies depending on the submission and usage.
Submitting to greeting card companies can be a great way to earn steady income, especially if you enjoy writing short, heartfelt, or funny poems. Be sure to check each company’s submission guidelines before sending your work.
4. Self-Publish a Poem eBook
Ok, hear me out. I know unless you are already known, publishing a book of poems seems crazy. But since self-publishing platforms like Kindle make it easy and free to publish your own books, why not try it?
By self-publishing, you keep full control over your poetry and how it’s shared.
And I can tell you from personal experience, the actual act of making a Kindle book is very easy. There are even free templates and tools that let you create good-looking ebooks easily.
5. Do Freelance Poetry Writing Jobs
This may corm as a surprise, but there are pottery gigs out there!
On sites like Fiverr and Upwork you can find writing jobs where clients pay for custom poems.
These gigs can include writing poems for social media brands, creating personalized tattoo verses, or even crafting song lyrics.
The key is to find a niche where your style fits and start building a portfolio.
Freelancing allows you to set your own rates and work with clients who appreciate your creativity.
6. Make Money Sharing Poetry Online
Everybody and their mother seems to be selling something on social media these days. Why not your poems?
How?
Start by posting your poems regularly on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. You can post spoken word videos, short clips, or creative visuals featuring your poems.
Then, when you’ve built a following, you can monetize your content in a few ways:
- Merchandise: Sell T-shirts, prints, or books with your poems.
- Ads: Earn money through YouTube ads or sponsored posts on Instagram.
- Fan Donations: Use platforms like Ko-fi or Patreon to get support from fans who love your work.
This takes time and consistency, but it can turn your passion for poetry into a real income stream.
7. Sell Your Poems on Fiverr
You can even use gig sites like Fiverr to offer custom poems for clients. Fiverr is a small tasks sites where you can sell any kind of service for $5. But you can add extras and make up to $160 on each gig.
Register with Fiverr for free and create a gig offering custom poems to clients.
8. Put Your Poems on T shirts
I have talked about making money by designing T-shirts and other customizable items before.
You can actually use your poems to create unique and customized products on sites like CafePress and Zazzle.
9. Use Etsy to Sell Poems
Yes Etsy, the big marketplace for handmade products!
Not only you can sell prints of your poems, but you can also put your poems on handmade stuff like a wooden sign.
If you are not handy and don’t want to deal with creating stuff to put your poems on, contact a few Etsy sellers (especially woodworkers) and offer to work with them. You supply the poems, he or she supplies the product on which your poems get printed. It could be the perfect home business for both of you.
Your Turn
Are you a poet?
Have you ever submitted your poems for money? Have you ever used any of the sites mentioned here?
I would love to hear from you and about your experience in trying to make money from your poems.
Hello,
I have gotten one publication of a poem I sent for a poetry contest. I was picked as the best 3% in the USA. I have not been able to publish anything since then do too lack of funds as I am a single parent. I still continue to write and feel I would be a great asset to many companies out there. I have a way with words and can write great things right on the spot. Any ideas as to how I can make an income from my home would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Lori, have you tried self publishing on Amazon Kindle? Put a collection of your poets into a small eBook and upload to Kindle. It’s free.
How does it work with amazon? I have my poems on this site called allpoetry.com I have no income at the moment. I was
wanton to put my work into my own ebook struggling with this. I heard it’s way cheaper than a novel being published!
Melissa, publishing to Amazon Kindle is actually free. You can publish as many eBooks as you like. And yes, you could put your poems in an eBook and sell it there. There are also a lot of free guides online on how to format Kindle eBooks properly. It’s very easy. I actually have a few eBooks on kindle as well.
Definitely give it a try. Also, if you do have a website, be sure to give away a few copy in exchange for honest reviews. Getting those first few reviews are crucial in helping you sell more. If you don’t have a site, just give copies to friends and family and ask for their honest reviews.
Hope this helps. Please let me know once you published it. I’ll be more than happy to read it and leave a review.
Thankyou for this information, I will also try for this
Hi I published my poetry book 13 yrs ago and was suspicious when they told me I haven’t do one book. Now I found out that I was right. Trafford pub is being investigated now what do I do
Hi Steve, I’m sorry you had a bad experience. I haven’t heard of Trafford Publishing before, but a quick search just showed me that they don’t seem like a reputable company (probably why they weren’t on our list). Have you thought about contacting an attorney to help you? Best of luck to you!
Hi, I have my collection of poems in Amazon Kindle and for 4 months now nothing is coming forth.I would be glad to get a review of This it poetry 1 Mind and soul.Even happier if you can buy a copy.
Irene, have you tried using Amazon’s ‘Free Book Promotions’ campaigns? This is how I got my initial reviews. Essentially, you offer your Kindle book for free for a week or so, which boosts visibility since it’s promoted in the ‘free books’ category. You can run these campaigns a few times a year. Setting it up takes less than a minute. You can learn more about it on Amazon’s official Free Book Promotions page.
Hi, I have few poems writing by me. if we both can work together. I will do much appreciate it.
Osondu, as much as I would like to do that, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to it. But you can do it. All you have to do is submit your poems to the appropriate sites mentioned in the post. Good luck!
What would be a good number of pages for a ebook of poetry? (mostly single page poems, some page and a half)
Steve, great question. There is no set number of pages. Obviously, people are less inclined to pay for an eBook that is only a few pages (even though it shouldn’t matter how long a book is; the quality should matter, but that’s the way it is, sadly).
I’d say to get an idea, check out Kindle poetry books from poets that have a similar style of poetry as you. That should give you a good idea of how many pages would do better with consumers.
I hope that helps!
you have the patience of a saint, judging from these comments my friend 😅
Lol. I know for a lot of people it can be hard and confusing to deal with stuff online, so I try to be helpful as much as I can. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Destiny. Hope you are enjoying MoneyPantry and are a regular here.
Also thanks for making me smile!
Salam,
I am poetry write compose in Urdu,Sindhi, Balochi and little English
any person sell my poems
have any idea to receive me instant Cash
I am to test for any topic
Hey. You need to include in your article that the sites charge non refundable submission fee.
hey lori,
uh i’m 15 yo and i write poems a lil and i was interested in kinda wanting to make money from that and ofc as i’m a newbie and you seem to be someone who is expert in writing poems so i was thinking if you could help me with something….if that’s possible?..i’m need of help but i have no one around me to help me with that’s why..
i m lokanath from india.i write short story poems.i want to be a professional writer.what should i do sir??
Well, I would get in touch with local organization. Search for any free or paid opportunities so you can get your work out there. Of course, you can also give any of the sites we mentioned in this post a try. Good luck, Lokanath.
Do your poems need to be copyright before you submit them to any of these places to either earn cash for them or to enter hem into a contest? If so, what is the easiest way to get the copyright?
To be honest, I don’t know how that would work. Just give one of them a call or send an email and ask them directly.
I did a lot of research on this with my music and poetry and it turns out, once you’ve distributed your created product, meaning you’ve made a duplicate of it and given it to someone, it is your intellectual property. You only need something proving the date you wrote it. The cheapest method I’ve seen is to mail yourself a copy. This puts a government stamp with a date on a sealed item. Then you just leave it in the package as evidence of your creation with a date to certify.
soon as you put your writing on a public media platform or at a place where others can read it automatically protects it against copyright from others
I am a published poet, based in Nigeria. am i eligible to do this online poetry business in the US? My lines speak volumes of creative masterpiece.
Not sure, Sunnie. I would contact the ones you are interested in working with and ask.
Let me know if they will be a compilation of poems so that I can submit mine
Why wouldn’t you be able to use it, Sunnie?
Hiii My name is sanjeev chhetri I’m from India I have 2 best poem with me in Hindi(1st poem is conversation between human and mirror and 2nd one is about 3rd gender in India) I want to publish both the poem world wide. Please suggest me some good way to show my thinking to all.
Have you tried contacting any of the sites/companies mentioned in this post?
Hello,
I have 60 poems for sale. they are unpublished & i am ready to sell at a price that we shall agree on together.
If you are interested, email me for a soft copy at:
(email removed)
hi please my name is thomas from Nigeria. I will like to know if i am also elligible to submitt my poems and get paid for them on any of the sites you have listed above thanks
Thomas, each site has its own rules. You will have to check with each site you are interested in working with.
I am writing a novel based on suicide in higher studies and terrorism. I am searching a publisher who can pay me advance, is it possible or not…???
It’s definitely possible. You just have to find the right channel. You may also try self publishing on Kindle.
I would like to be part ur crew but my question is that hw do u pay ur writers and is this true that writers are getting paid or what?
Bontle, we (moneypantry.com) do not pay poets. You have to use sites mentioned in this post.
I am Chris Wathome and goes by the stage name chrommesays. I’ve been doing poetry for a while now and I see that I can manage being a trusted asset by companies out there. Am also a wattpad writer but I need to venture more in the poetry sector of art.
Happy to go through the conversations↑
Can you please kindly assure me, if I stay untold and my components gets stole?
Sorry Marco, not sure I understand your question?
I am from South Africa. Will I be able to submit poems as foreigner?
You have to see on each site what their policies are.
Hii,i am aayat.i have hobby of writing poems on my situations every now and then…..i want to earn money..plz suggest some sites which can help me out without risk of stealing my content.
Thanks for your info about selling poems.
I am a new author and published my book in October 2016.
I also write Poetry, Thank you letters, Get well messages, Anniversary and wedding congratulations etc. I have over 100 written and would like to sell them to a company who would be interested in my work! I love writing and will continue for as long as possible!
I will search through your list and find the ideal company!
I am fond and love writing poems,song lyrics and other forms of arts.i am willing to negotiate all my crafts and mind skills and original handwriting creations .
best regards,
princegeo
iam from tanzania i need to join but the form does not match with my country
I need to be earning money
I am a poetry writer, I have a poetry book on Amazon.com it’s and ebook. I still have
a dream to write poetry for a living. I can write for greeting cards. Are I could work
with Etsy and put my poems on T shirts. Can you send me some information of how
to go about getting started in making my own money from home. For I am just a
housewife and have plenty of time on my hands.
Hi
I’m nakshatra from India
I write short poetry but don’t know how to get it published exactly and get paid
Try some of the sites mentioned in this post!
I am looking for an honest but yet effective Company to write Poetry for. I’ve been writing all my life and have a deep Passion for it. Can any give me information on were to start?
Eric, the hardest part is getting started. Have you tried any of the sites mentioned in this post?
My name is terrica I’m a writer I love doing it. But i struggle to earn a living from it. I published a book but I have only made $2 from it. I however have not let that discourage me. I still write now I have some many poems, I to make a living help me please. C
Hello I’m Gabriela from Lesotho,I love writing and I have few poems I will be happy to sell to anyone who is interested
Hey I’m Carolyn..I’m still a teen and I have a passion of writing poems I have been writing for two years now I’m looking for any publisher who’s interested so I can have my own book composed of my poems as I have many poems by now
A journey to a new creation of self worth and integrity. Thank you for your guidance.
I listed all the websites mentioned here. I actually already searched the first one the Sun Magazine, I sent one poetry hoping they would read it and would like it. I also sent Blue Mountain Arts 2 poetry hoping they would like it . I’m patiently waiting for their response 2 weeks to 3 months. And of course while waiting I’m gonna write poems, more and more. I’m working on a new poetry right now, its entitled “If ‘I love you’ was a promise. (The line actually come from Billie Eilish’s song entitled Idontwannabeyouanymore.)
And by the way, I’m gonna try that Amazon Kindle. Wish me luck.
thanks for the info about publishing or selling poems online pls send me any guide of how to package an e-book that can be sold on amazon, lulu or any e-book publishing ecommers store. steps on how to make an e-book for e-kindle and other versions. thanks
I have been writing poems for years and I am interested in working with songwriters. Can you provide any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks!
Ive been writing my own poems since i was a child and still write today im 46 yrs old now! I want to be able to publish or sale my poems for my children! Especially my 2nd oldest he told me one day how much he believed in me and that i needed to be make n money with them because i was wasting my talent! I just need a lil help plz and thank u
I’ve been writing poems on my own.its somehow based on my inner thoughts .I wish to publish it.please help me.
Adowaa, have you given any of the options in this post a try?
After selling a poem.How long will it take to receive the payment?
It depends on the site/company. Some pay faster than others.
I just heard about writing poetry for money. I am just starting to sell my poetry and was wondering what a good first step would be? I’ve been writing for a long time now and have been going through a lot to use in my poetry. please reply with any help or comments, it would be very useful!
I’d start with sending some of your poems to the places mentioned in this post, Melissa. Once you get going, things will get easier. Good luck!
I don’t know if I’m a poet or not but it’s difficult for me to get started online because I’m not computer oriented person. I have alot of poems, poetry, and even songs but don’t know how to get started.
I have a knack for writing poems and making them personal for people. I have written many over the years and i would love to try to crwate a personal poem for others and get paid for it. how do i go about doing that?
Just contact the companies we mentioned in the post. They each have their own process and will let you know how to send them your work. Good luck Ashley.
Am a 18 year old Kenyan daughter aspiring to reach Hollywood with my talent in writing poetry and movies but I need a start. Could you help my dream by being my start? All I need is a chance
What do you specifically need help with Yasmin?
Hi ! I wrote lots of poems just don’t know where to start from , someone should give me a guide on how to go about
Hi, I have use several methods to make money from my poems and none of it has work ……am hopeful that someday the world at large will read my poems and I will make money from my poems…..who wants to buy my poems pls email me right away at godwinbright965@gmail.com
Hi. My name is Jasper. I’m zambian and I occasionally write poetry for different occasions. I’d like to know if I can earn something out of my work too from this part of the world
Hi my name is tshego I’m southafrican I sell poems if interested reply then I’ll give u my details thanks you
Hey
I realized how good I am with poetry (Particularly on grief)
But every website i end up into
I’m aways ask to pay
At least 3dollar or 10
It’s sad I can’t afford that in my current situation
Do you have any recommendation or website where i xan submit my poems and if they are picked
i get paid
please??
I have some poems I would love to sell, if anyone is interested you can send an email
eviea989@gmail.com
Am just an upcoming poet but i have been writing for the longest, i was now hoping to make an income out of my work. I need help on how to do it safely.
What do you specifically need help with, Gladys?