Small press
Bloodaxe Books
Poetry
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Bloodaxe Books
Bloodaxe Books is not taking unsolicited poetry submissions until it clears a backlog; its schedule is committed for the next two years. It expects poets to have a track record in reputable literary magazines or a small-press pamphlet first, and it never takes submissions by email.
Bloodaxe Books is a poetry publisher in Hexham, founded in 1978. It publishes poetry, including translations, by writers from Britain, Ireland, America and other countries, and it says it publishes proportionally more collections by women poets than any other British imprint.
Its publishing schedule is fully committed for the next two years, so it cannot consider unsolicited submissions until the backlog clears. When it does read work, it expects a track record of poems in reputable literary magazines or a small-press pamphlet. Self-published or paid-for publication does not count toward that record.
What Bloodaxe Books is looking for
- Poetry collections
- Poets with a magazine or pamphlet track record
- Poetry in translation (on hold for now)
Publishes
- Poetry
Readers
- Adult
How to submit to Bloodaxe Books
From its own guidelines- Do not send work now; Bloodaxe is closed until its backlog clears.
- Build a track record in reputable literary magazines or a small-press pamphlet.
- Check the Bloodaxe editorial page for news of reopening.
Is Bloodaxe Books right for your book?
A good fit if
Poets building a publication record who can wait for Bloodaxe to reopen.
Look elsewhere if
Poets without a magazine track record, poets who already have book-length collections elsewhere and anyone hoping to submit by email.
Questions about Bloodaxe Books
Is Bloodaxe Books accepting poetry submissions?
No. Bloodaxe Books says its publishing schedule is fully committed for the next two years, so it cannot consider unsolicited submissions until the backlog clears. It never accepts unsolicited work by email. Check its editorial contact page for news before sending anything.
What does Bloodaxe look for in a poet?
Bloodaxe expects a track record of publication in reputable literary magazines or a reputable small-press pamphlet before a poet submits a collection. Self-published or paid-for publication does not count. It cannot take on poets who have already published book-length collections with other publishers.
Does Bloodaxe publish poetry in translation?
Yes, Bloodaxe publishes poetry in translation as well as poetry written in English by writers from Britain, Ireland, America and elsewhere. Translation submissions are on hold for now, along with all other unsolicited work, until the press clears its backlog.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
