The Truth About Submission Fees: Why Paying to Submit Isn’t a Sin​
Let’s talk about something that seems to be an unspoken taboo in the poetry community: submission fees. Specifically, why they exist, why they are necessary, and why it is frankly bizarre that some people expect to have their work reviewed, published and promoted entirely for free.
(Disclaimer: this perspective is purely from one of the many indie publishing platforms that deals with this question on a regular basis whilst trying its best to add to the poetry community, and not one of a large, government or privately funded organisation that can hold free submissions, however, we encourage poets to submit to these where possible.)
At Dark Poets Club, we charge submission fees. We are not alone. Countless literary magazines, online journals, and poetry platforms do the same. Yet, time and time again, we encounter outrage from individuals who believe they should be able to submit their work without paying a penny and expect a team of people to read it, review it, format it, upload it, and promote it—all at no cost to them.
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So, let’s set the record straight.
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The Reality of Running a Literary Platform
Running a website that publishes poetry isn’t just a hobby; it’s a labour-intensive, resource-heavy operation. Here’s what goes into making a single poem available to the public:
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Reading & Reviewing: Every submission is read carefully, often multiple times, by editors who dedicate their time and expertise.
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Curation & Feedback: Selection isn’t random. Editors work to create a cohesion, ensuring quality and thematic alignment.
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Website Maintenance: Hosting costs, domain renewals, and technical upkeep ensure the platform remains accessible and functional.
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Promotion & Communication: Published works don’t just sit in a digital void. They are shared across social media, newsletters, and other platforms to ensure they reach an audience.​
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Every single one of these tasks require time, effort and money. Expecting all of this to be free isn’t just unrealistic—it’s disrespectful.
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The Myth of “Paying to Publish”
One of the most common arguments against submission fees is the accusation that they are a form of “pay to publish.” Let’s be clear: paying to publish is when an author is required to pay a publisher to publish their work, often with little to no editorial oversight. Submission fees, on the other hand, exist to cover operational costs and ensure that only serious submissions are sent in—saving editors from sifting through thousands of half-hearted attempts.
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Why Should Writers Pay?
Ask yourself: if you believe your work deserves a professional platform, why wouldn’t you contribute to the costs of running that platform? If you believe in the value of literary spaces, why wouldn’t you support them financially? You wouldn’t expect a musician to record your song for free, a designer to create your book cover for free, or a barista to make your coffee for free—so why expect poets, editors, and publishers to work for free?
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Keeping the Lights On
Many publications that refuse to charge submission fees are funded through grants, academic institutions, or advertising. However, for independent platforms like Dark Poets Club, submission fees are the only sustainable way to keep things running without resorting to intrusive ads or requiring endless unpaid labour.
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If you value independent poetry spaces, support them. If you want to be part of a literary community, invest in it.
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