Bipolar Poetry

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Submit Your Poetry​

Bipolar Poetry publishes work by people who have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.

We accept original poetry in four categories: Depressed Poetry, Manic Poetry, Haiku, and Open Theme. We only accept work from people with bipolar – whatever the subject, tone or style.

You don’t have to rhyme. You don’t need to explain. Just send us something honest.

This is a not-for-profit project, and while we aren’t able to offer payment, we hope the value lies in being heard, read, and shared.

Before you submit:

  • Your poem can be as short or as long as you like – but poems over 80 lines are less likely to be published.
  • The work must be your own, and not previously published elsewhere (including personal blogs or other websites).
  • You’ll be asked to select a category for your poem when you submit (see below for guidance).
  • You can choose to be published under your real name, a nickname, or anonymously.
  • You can also choose whether your email address is displayed.

Please note: not every poem will be accepted for publication. If your piece isn’t selected this time, please don’t be discouraged. Keep writing. Keep submitting.

Submission Categories

When you submit your poem, you’ll be asked to choose one of the following categories. Please pick the one that fits best.

Depressed Poetry

Poems that explore low mood, emptiness, disconnection, despair, or the quieter, heavier side of bipolar experience. These pieces can be raw or reflective, bleak or beautifully still – whatever feels true.

Manic Poetry

Work that captures the intensity of mania – racing thoughts, sleepless nights, grand ideas, elevated energy, or the strange mix of clarity and chaos that can come with it.

Haiku

Short poems that follow the haiku form (typically three lines with a 5–7–5 syllable pattern). These can be about anything – from daily experiences to vivid flashes of mood or memory. Sometimes the smallest poems say the most.

Open Theme

Poems that don’t clearly fit the other categories. They might explore identity, love, memory, rage, recovery – or simply something else happening in your life. Whatever the subject, all submissions must be from writers who have been diagnosed with bipolar.

Terms of Submission

By submitting your poem, you confirm that:

  • The poem is your original work.
  • It does not insult or slander any individual, group, or race.
  • It has not been published elsewhere, and copyright has not been assigned to another party.
  • You retain full copyright of your work, but by submitting, you grant Bipolar Poetry the right to publish it on the website and, if selected, in future printed materials.
  • You accept that very minor editing may occur before publication.
  • You confirm that you have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder (also known as manic-depression).

Submit your poem

Choose an author name to be displayed with your poem. This can be your real name, a pen name or 'anonymous'.
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By submitting your poem, you confirm that: The poem is your original work. It does not insult or slander any individual, group, or race. It has not been published elsewhere, and copyright has not been assigned to another party. You retain full copyright of your work, but by submitting, you grant Bipolar Poetry the right to publish it on the website and, if selected, in future printed materials. You accept that very minor editing may occur before publication. You confirm that you have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder (also known as manic-depression).