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What Makes a Poem Political? Eight Poets on Truth, Power, and Why Their Words Matter
What makes a poem political? In a time of censorship, book bans, and cultural erasure, poetry remains one of the most powerful tools of truth-telling and resistance. This blog features reflections from eight contemporary poets who explore the political power of their work and the role of poetry in documenting history, reclaiming identity, and resisting silence. From Phillis Wheatley to the voices shaping poetry today, the piece reveals why writing from the margins is a radical act, and how every poem becomes a form of protest, witness, and survival.
How to Publish a Poetry Book: What Every Poet Needs to Know
Publishing poetry comes with unique challenges, whether you're aiming for a traditional publishing deal or self-publishing your collection. Traditional routes often require an agent or submitting to small presses, while self-publishing offers creative freedom but demands more personal effort. This blog explores both paths, offering tips for manuscript preparation, cover design, formatting, and marketing strategies. Whether you’re seeking recognition or creative control, understanding the landscape of poetry publishing is essential. Learn how to make informed choices about the best route for your work, build your platform, and get your poetry into the world.
Why Publishing Poetry Books Is Harder Than Other Genres—But No Less Worth It
Publishing poetry is often seen as a challenge—but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile. In a market that undervalues lyricism, vulnerability, and truth-telling, poets are frequently told their work is too niche or unmarketable. This blog dives into why poetry faces more barriers than other genres, from industry biases to lack of infrastructure, and how marginalized poets are often excluded from traditional pathways. Still, poetry remains one of the most powerful forms of expression—and it deserves to be published. Whether you’re navigating the contest circuit, querying indie presses, or self-publishing your first book, this piece offers insight, encouragement, and real talk about what it takes to get your work into the world.
A Home in Her Own Words: Meet Kaniz Hossain
Poet and visual artist Kaniz Hossain uses writing to reclaim identity, challenge silence, and create community. Her Bengali-American heritage and experience growing up in a Muslim household inform her poetry, which confronts topics like mental health, womanhood, and faith. Through her platform House of Khaos, Kaniz cultivates creative spaces for underrepresented voices. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, she reflects on self-publishing, the power of representation, and poetry as both refuge and resistance.
The Politics of Poetry: Why the Margins Have Always Been the Center
This blog explores how poetry has always lived at the edges—resisting conformity, challenging power, and amplifying voices often pushed aside. From ancient oral traditions to modern spoken word, poetry has served as a vessel for memory, protest, and survival. It dives into the political history of poetry, the systems that gatekeep it, and why it continues to matter.
On Art, Mental Health, and Finding Strength Through Expression: Meet Dani Fallon
Dani Fallon is a poet and visual artist from Long Island whose work explores mental health, identity, and relationships. Her debut poetry collection Nothing at All or All at Once reflects on the emotional complexities of growing up, living with OCD, and learning to take up space. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Dani shares how creativity has been both a tool for survival and a way to connect with others through honesty and reflection.
Using Intuition and Authenticity to Inspire Creativity: Meet Angelina Young
Angelina Young is a writer, designer, and podcast host whose work is rooted in intuition, authenticity, and the power of dreams. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Angelina opens up about following her inner voice during a chaotic season and learning to create from a place of truth. Drawing from her mixed cultural background and connection to the subconscious, she reminds us that creativity is both a tool for healing and a bridge to self-discovery.
On Breaking Boundaries and Uncovering Truth: Meet Jessica Payes
Through her poetry collections, Manipulated and Temporary Lovers, poet Jessica Payes addresses mental health, heartbreak, and emotional growth with unfiltered honesty. Her work challenges societal taboos, offering healing and connection to readers navigating similar paths. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Jessica opens up about grief, resilience, and her journey of using poetry as both self-expression and survival.
Writing as a Bridge Between Identity and Community: Meet Aurelia Luciano
Dominican American poet and community organizer Aurelia Luciano turns poetry into a mirror, a bridge, and a movement. Writing from her Afro-Latinx identity, she transforms personal history into collective power. In this Beyond the Narrative feature, Aurelia opens up about healing through writing, building safe creative spaces, and redefining storytelling as a tool for growth, identity, and liberation. Her voice is both an offering and an invitation.
Embracing Duality and Cultural Identity: Meet Cecilia Dagdagan
Filipina-American poet Cecilia shares her powerful story of embracing cultural identity, self-discovery, and creative expression in this Beyond the Narrative interview. Through her poetry and prose, Cecilia reflects on leaving behind comfort to find her voice, honoring her ancestry, and reclaiming space for multifaceted identity. Her chapbook Shades of Suede is a tribute to healing, movement, and the strength found in vulnerability.
Nikki Giovanni: A Voice That Helped Shape Poetry, Culture, and Civil Rights
This blog honors the life and influence of Nikki Giovanni, one of the most impactful poets of our time. It reflects on her role in shaping civil rights discourse through poetry, explores the genre’s historical marginalization, and highlights why publishing poetry remains a vital act of resistance. Drawing from Giovanni’s legacy, it also points readers toward resources for navigating poetry publishing in today’s literary landscape.
The First Author in Recorded History is a Woman: Meet Sumerian Priestess, Enheduanna
Enheduanna, a Sumerian priestess from ancient Mesopotamia, is the first known author in recorded history. As a poet, political figure, and high priestess, she used her writing to unify empires, praise powerful female deities, and speak truth to power. This blog explores her legacy, her influence on literature, and the historical debate around her authorship, while reflecting on how her work continues to inspire women writers today.
120 Years of Poetry: 16 Influential Black Women Poets From Then to Now
We’re highlighting 120 years of Black women excellence in poetry and literature, showcasing famous Black women poets whose work has left its mark on the literary, and political, world. Each of these women has used their poetry, essays, and spoken word to create a lasting impact on the awareness and advocacy of the Black experience—and for women overall.
Tainted Lionheart is Readers’ Favorite 2021 Gold Medal Winner
Tainted Lionheart, a Gold Medal winner in the Readers’ Favorite 2021 Awards, is a raw, honest poetry collection about pain, healing, and self-worth by Our Galaxy Publishing’s founder and publishing advisor, Christine Weimer.