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The Million-Line Poem: Guidelines

The Million-Line Poem is a celebration of the collective poetic process, quite possibly the world’s first “open source” poem.

The poem is being written couplet-by-couplet by readers and writers around the world, and published online by Tupelo Press.  Read it here.


Submission  Guidelines

Each day we post two lines from which contributing poets draw their inspiration. All entries are assembled by an editor (keeping the integrity of the couplets) and posted to the Million-Line Poem for viewing the next day with the contributor’s name and city.

You can participate in the creation of this art form as it grows organically, day-by-day. The nature of the poem — what it’s about, its ideas, its subjects, its overall aesthetic — will develop over time. Your contribution will be part of that process and synergy.

There is no limit to the number of contributions each poet can make, except we ask that only two lines per poet per day be submitted. All poets will be credited for their contributions.

The Million-Line Poem is also an easy way to support our work. There’s no longer a charge to post your couplet, but keep in mind that small donations add up to big ones, helping us to publish the terrific writing already in production, and to continue in our mission to find and send out into the world more inspirational poetry, prose, and nonfiction. If you’d like to donate, you may do so here.

The Million-Line Poem will culminate in a series of readings nationwide.

To contribute, send an email to MillionLinePoem@tupelopress.org that includes: (a) your name, email, city and state, and (b) the two lines. A poet who wishes to make additional contributions on additional days must repeat this process. You may find the previous couplet for inspiration here.

The Million Line Poem is open to all writers, anywhere in the world, regardless of prior experience, and regardless of nationality, provided that all lines must be submitted in English.