Margie
Margie is an American annual literary journal focused on contemporary poetry.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Margie, also known as the American Journal of Poetry, is an annual literary journal based in Chesterfield, Missouri. Established in 2000, it presents contemporary poetry and has published work by a range of notable American poets and other writers. The journal was created in memory of Marjorie J. Wilson, who lived from 1955 to 1977, giving the publication a memorial and literary purpose from its inception. Robert Nazarene is identified as the journal's founder and editor-in-chief. The publication's core offering is its annual poetry journal, which provides a venue for established and emerging writers. Its contributor list has included Sherman Alexie, Jacob M. Appel, Julianna Baggott, Kate Braverman, W. S. Di Piero, Annie Finch, Alice Friman, Michael Harper, Terry Hertzler, Tony Hoagland, Allison Joseph, Ron Offen, Mark Rudman, Enid Shomer, David Wagoner, Laura Madeline Wiseman, and R. Scott Yarbrough. These contributors place Margie within the U.S. literary-magazine ecosystem rather than the mass-market periodical sector. In addition to publishing poetry, Margie sponsors literary competitions. One named contest is the annual Robert E. Wilson & Ruth I. Wilson Best Poetry Book Contest, which extends the journal's role from publication into recognition and promotion of poetry books. Available reference material does not provide details about contest prize amounts, judging procedures, submission periods, circulation, print frequency beyond its annual schedule, or the journal's current publishing and distribution arrangements. It also does not identify a corporate parent, public listing, or separately documented commercial owner. The brand's positioning is therefore that of a specialist American poetry journal with a memorial foundation, an editorial identity centered on serious contemporary verse, and an ancillary role as a sponsor of poetry contests. Its audience consists primarily of poets, literary readers, editors, students, critics, and institutions interested in contemporary American poetry. Because the available source material is limited, the journal's present operational status, publication continuity, and current editorial structure should be verified before treating them as fully documented.
History
Margie was established in 2000 as an American literary journal devoted to poetry. The publication is based in Chesterfield, Missouri, and is also known as the American Journal of Poetry. Its creation was dedicated to the memory of Marjorie J. Wilson, who was born in 1955 and died in 1977. This memorial dedication forms an important part of the journal's identity and distinguishes its origin from that of a conventional commercial magazine. Robert Nazarene is identified as the founder and editor-in-chief. Under its editorial direction, Margie developed as an annual venue for contemporary poetry. The journal's contributor history includes writers such as Sherman Alexie, Jacob M. Appel, Julianna Baggott, Kate Braverman, W. S. Di Piero, Annie Finch, Alice Friman, Michael Harper, Terry Hertzler, Tony Hoagland, Allison Joseph, Ron Offen, Mark Rudman, Enid Shomer, David Wagoner, Laura Madeline Wiseman, and R. Scott Yarbrough. The breadth of this list indicates an editorial program that has presented work by recognized poets alongside writers active across the broader American literary scene. Margie's activities extend beyond issue publication. The journal sponsors poetry contests, including the annual Robert E. Wilson & Ruth I. Wilson Best Poetry Book Contest. Through this program, the publication participates in the evaluation and promotion of poetry books as well as the publication of individual poems. The contest also reinforces the journal's role as a literary institution rather than merely a periodic outlet for submissions. The available reference material does not document a detailed sequence of editorial changes, changes in ownership, circulation figures, print or digital format transitions, financial performance, or a complete publication bibliography. It also does not provide a verified official website URL or enough information to establish the journal's current issue schedule beyond its description as annual. Accordingly, Margie's documented history is best characterized by its 2000 founding, memorial purpose, poetry-centered editorial mission, notable contributors, and contest sponsorship.
- 2000Journal established
Margie was established as an annual American literary journal focused on poetry and dedicated to the memory of Marjorie J. Wilson.
Products and positioning
A specialist American poetry journal combining annual literary publication with support for poetry-book recognition and contests.
MargieAnnual literary journal2000
Margie's principal offering is its annual poetry journal, which publishes contemporary verse and has featured work by a broad group of American poets and literary writers. The journal is associated with Chesterfield, Missouri, and is also referred to as the American Journal of Poetry. Available reference material does not specify its current print or digital format, circulation, subscription model, or issue size.
Robert E. Wilson & Ruth I. Wilson Best Poetry Book ContestLiterary contest
An annual poetry-book contest sponsored by Margie. It represents the journal's role in recognizing poetry published in book form, complementing its work as a periodical publisher. The available source does not state the prize value, eligibility rules, judging panel, submission process, or winners.
Flagship businesses
- Margie annual poetry journal
- Robert E. Wilson & Ruth I. Wilson Best Poetry Book Contest
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Nazarene | Founder and editor-in-chief | 2000– |
Sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/margie · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled