2027 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar
Open to Member & Non-Member Wisconsin Poets (or with a Connection to Wisconsin)
Submission Period: November 1, 2025-February 7, 2026
Theme: Unnoticed
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets publishes an annual calendar of poetry the Poets' Calendar. Poets with a connection to Wisconsin are invited to submit their poetry for inclusion with no entrance fee. The calendar is one of our biggest projects each year and serves as our primary outreach effort.
The 2027 Calendar theme is “unnoticed.” The theme covers small things that can turn out to be big things—at least for those who notice them. The editors are interested in an exchange with a stranger that makes or breaks your day; the detail that has always been there that you never noticed—until you did; the unnamed “something” missing that spells success or disaster; the stitch or rivet that holds a world together. Send poems that show us the extraordinary within the ordinary, the small things commonly overlooked. Please make sure to follow the guidelines below.
The 2027 calendar theme is “unnoticed.” The theme covers small things that can turn out to be big things—at least for those who notice them.
The editors are interested in an exchange with a stranger that makes or breaks your day; the detail that has always been there that you never noticed—until you did; the unnamed “something” missing that spells success or disaster; the stitch or rivet that holds a world together. Send poems that show us the extraordinary within the ordinary, the small things commonly overlooked.
GUIDELINES
Submission Period: November 1, 2025-February 7, 2026
Editors: Kim Parsons & Sheryl Slocum
The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets will begin accepting poems for the 2026 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar beginning November 1, 2025. Poets must be at least 18, a resident of Wisconsin or have a close connection to Wisconsin. Submissions received prior to November 1 will be returned. Deadline for submissions is February 7, 2026.
Please adhere to the guidelines below:
1. Submit one or two poems, single-spaced, not centered. Shorter poems preferred. Poems longer than 34 lines, counting stanza breaks, will not be accepted. Prepare your poems in a single Word document using the file name “[last name] [first name]”.
2. Previously published work accepted. Include the name of the publication where it first appeared and confirm that no copyright exists to limit dissemination of the poem in the Calendar.
3. In your Word document, please include along with your poems: your name, street address, phone, email, and a short bio written in third person (30 word maximum). Please include ALL information requested, or your submission will be disqualified.
4. Prepare to email your submission by attaching your one Word document — do not put poems or the additional information in the body of the email
5. Email your submissions to wfopcalendar@gmail.com. Put [last name] [first name] in the subject line.
6. If you don’t have an email address, send your typewritten poems to:
Kim Parsons
14055 W Kostner Ln
New Berlin, WI 53151
No hand-written poems accepted.
7. We will confirm receipt by email, unless you send a postal submission. In that case, include two stamped, self-addressed envelopes or postcards: one for notification that your poems have been received and one for notification that your poem will or will not be included in the Calendar.
8. Deadline for submissions: 11:59 p.m. on February 7, 2026. Poems arriving after that time will not be considered. Mailed submissions must be postmarked no later than February 7, 2026.
We want to read your poems!
Kim Parsons and Sheryl Slocum
2027 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar Editors