Poetry Pause is the League’s daily poetry dispatch program, inspired by the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-A-Day, the original daily digital poetry series. The Poetry Pause project is intended to augment the presence of Canadian poetry and to provide an opportunity to Canadian poets – seasoned and emerging alike – to have their poetry read by many. Poetry Pause delivers more than a poem; it delivers the chance for folks to pause for poetry – to spare a few minutes each day for words that heal, inspire, and sustain.

In 2021, Poetry Pause launched Spoken Word Saturdays, which showcases the incredible spoken word poetry talent in Canada, every Saturday. 

On Sundays, Poetry Pause sends a round-up of the week’s poetry for anyone who may have missed a day throughout the work week!

Want to receive a poem a day from the League?

Subscribe to Poetry Pause!

Your poetry could be featured in Poetry Pause: we are always accepting submissions! Please read the guidelines below then complete the form (click here) or below

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Poetry Pause Eligibility and Submission Guidelines

Print Poetry Guidelines

• Members of the League may submit up to the maximum of five (5) poems at no cost.
• Non-members of the League may submit two poems at no cost.
• Each poem must be no longer than 100 lines in length.
• Please refrain from including any identifying information (name, email, address) in your poem document, as submissions are reviewed anonymously.
• Poems may be previously published (only when copyright belongs to the author, or if the author has obtained conditional permission from the publisher.)
• Submissions are open only to poets residing in Canada.
• Submissions are accepted on an on-going basis; there is no deadline.
• Blind submissions will be periodically sent to our Selection Committee comprised of professional Canadian poets.
• If selected, you will be contacted to supply your biography and previous publication credits, if applicable.

Spoken Word Poetry Guidelines (Spoken Word Saturday) 

• Submit up to 3 spoken word poems as audio files, video files or website links. Individual poems should not exceed 15 minutes in length.
• There is no cost to submit.
• Unpublished and previously published poems are accepted.
• Submissions are accepted on an on-going basis; there is no deadline. 

Please note: Spoken Word Poem eligibility is at the discretion of LCP and the Poetry Pause reviewers. If selected, you will be contacted to confirm your details and date of appearance in Poetry Pause.