About Dressing Room Poetry Journal

Our Mission

Dressing Room Poetry Journal exists at the intersection of vulnerability and strength, privacy and performance. We publish contemporary poetry and multimedia work that explores the transformative moments of human experience—the spaces where we shed one version of ourselves and step into another.

Like the dressing room itself, we celebrate the intimate, the in-between, the moments of preparation and reflection that often go unseen. We believe these threshold spaces hold profound truths about identity, change, and what it means to present ourselves to the world.

"We seek work that undresses the expected and reveals something essential—poetry that isn't afraid to be caught mid-transformation."

Our journal champions emerging voices alongside established poets, experimental forms alongside traditional craft, and multimedia expressions that push the boundaries of what poetry can be. We're committed to creating a platform where diverse perspectives can flourish and where the art of transformation is honored in all its forms.

What We Value

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Authenticity

We seek voices that are unapologetically themselves—work that bears the fingerprints of genuine human experience, not polished to the point of anonymity.

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Diversity

Our pages reflect the beautiful complexity of human identity. We actively seek and celebrate voices from all backgrounds, orientations, and lived experiences.

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Innovation

We embrace experimental forms, multimedia expressions, and work that challenges traditional boundaries. Poetry is alive and evolving—we evolve with it.

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Community

We believe in fostering connections between poets, readers, and artists. Our journal is a gathering place, a conversation, a collaborative space.

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Transformation

At our core, we celebrate change—personal, artistic, societal. We publish work that captures the beauty and struggle of becoming.

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Craft

While we value innovation, we also honor the fundamentals of strong writing. Every word should earn its place on the page.

Our Story

The Beginning

Dressing Room Poetry Journal was founded in 2018 by a collective of poets who felt the literary world needed more spaces for authentic, transformative work. The name came from a late-night conversation about the vulnerability of creation—how writing poetry is like standing in a dressing room, trying on different versions of yourself until you find the one that fits.

Growth & Evolution

What started as a small online quarterly has grown into a vibrant community of writers, readers, and artists from around the globe. We've published twelve issues featuring over 500 poets, expanded into multimedia content, and launched initiatives to support emerging voices through workshops and mentorship programs.

Today

Today, Dressing Room Poetry Journal reaches over 15,000 readers monthly and has become known for discovering new talent and championing innovative work. We've maintained our commitment to accessibility—all our content remains free to read—while building sustainable support through community donations and grants.

Looking Forward

As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to our founding principles: celebrating transformation, honoring authenticity, and creating space for voices that might otherwise go unheard. We're expanding our multimedia offerings, developing new collaborative projects, and deepening our commitment to supporting poets at all stages of their creative journeys.

Our Editorial Team

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Elena Ramirez

Editor-in-Chief

Elena brings fifteen years of editorial experience and a passion for experimental verse. Her own poetry has appeared in numerous journals, and she holds an MFA from Iowa Writers' Workshop.

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Marcus Chen

Poetry Editor

Marcus specializes in contemporary and avant-garde poetry. He's published three collections and teaches creative writing at Columbia University.

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Aisha Patel

Media & Multimedia Editor

Aisha oversees our visual poetry, video, and audio content. She's an award-winning multimedia artist whose work explores the intersection of technology and poetry.

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Jordan Blake

Associate Editor

Jordan focuses on emerging voices and first-time submissions. They're passionate about accessibility in poetry and run workshops for underrepresented communities.

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Sofia Kowalski

Managing Editor

Sofia keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. With a background in publishing and arts administration, she ensures our operations align with our mission.

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Devon Wright

Social Media & Community Manager

Devon builds and nurtures our online community, connecting poets and readers through engaging content and meaningful conversations about contemporary poetry.

About Us