Guide to the Neopian Times

Writing a Poem

So you're into poetry, eh? Perhaps the length and commitment of articles and short stories is intimidating, or you find yourself enjoying a more whimsical form of writing. Well, if you've ever considered yourself a creative writer, why not give it a shot?

"Once upon a midnight dreary..."

Poems must be a minimum of 250 words in length and conform to the existing rules.

Picking a Topic

Picking your topic is often the first starting point to a poem—you may have a character in mind, a title that inspires you, or a general vibe you're looking to explore. Remember to check the publication schedule to ensure your piece is on-topic for your goal issue.

Picking a Style

There are many different types of poems: sonnets, vignettes, haikus, villanelles, acrostic, and more! If you're unfamiliar with poetry styles, or want a challenge, do some research and pick a style that intrigues you. If you simply want to let the words flow, there's a style for that too: free form! The beauty of poetry is that anything can be a poem, and anyone can be a poet. While there are conventional styles and forms, almost anything is a poem if you decree it so.

Tips and Tricks

• Parodies of famous poems are allowed, but discouraged
• Rhyming is not a requirement
• Shorter-style poems such as haikus and limericks are acceptable, but you'll need to submit a collection of several at once to meet the minimum word count
• Non-English poems are permissible, but must still follow all site rules

This page was written by noileh and last updated on May 11, 2026.