2026 Poetry Contest Longlist

Contest Winners | Reading Room

We are so thrilled to announce the longlist for our 2026 Poetry Contest! A big thank you to our Room collective members for selecting our longlist. These submissions will now be reviewed by 2026’s Poetry Contest judge, Eli Tareq El Bechelany-Lynch. A big congratulations to these talented writers!

⎯

Room Magazine’s 2026 Poetry Contest Longlist

Thank you to every writer who trusted us with their writing. To all those who submitted their work: it takes courage to put your writing forward for scrutiny, and we encourage you to keep at your craft, longlisted or not.

The shortlist (and winners!) chosen by Eli Tareq El Bechelany-Lynch will be available in coming days, so be sure to keep an eye on our website!

Tags: 2026 Poetry Contest

Currently on Newsstands

Cover image for Room Magazine Issue 49.2, Science. Art by Candace Cosentino of an old-fashioned computer monitor with a bounty of dandelions growing from it.

ROOM 49.2 SCIENCE

I hope this issue makes you curious and furious, leads to 2 a.m. Wikipedia rabbit holes, fulfills urges to seek out knowledge-keepers. Quickly or slowly, dive in: -ologies of all varieties await you.

Order our previous issue

ROOM 49.1 No Future for Who?

In Room Magazine 49.1 No Future for Who?, we are really asking. We are coming in hot. We are causing a scene. We are being unreasonable. We are not fucking around. We are not taking “no” for an answer. “No” is the only word we still know. For who? For who? No.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to know about our contests, calls for submissions, and upcoming events.

* indicates required

Join us on Patreon

Become a RoomMate

Seeking members who love literature, events, merchandise, and supporting marginalized creators.


Visit our Store

Share This