submissions

[wildsweetone]

Anna's thread brought something to mind... being a complete novice at submission, how do you know what is a reasonable place to submit and what isn't? or, is it a trial and error thing?

 

[flyguy69]

Anna's thread brought something to mind... being a complete novice at submission, how do you know what is a reasonable place to submit and what isn't? or, is it a trial and error thing?

The back seat of a car, the movies, a sailboat, an empty conference room....

 

[wildsweetone]

...well looks like the New Year's over. lol i knew i missed this place for some reason.

 

[TheRainMan]

Anna's thread brought something to mind... being a complete novice at submission, how do you know what is a reasonable place to submit and what isn't? or, is it a trial and error thing?

you can cull the information by scouring "Poet's Market," and by lots of reading of print and web journals. that's a lot of work, though.

recommendations from friends who have successfully gone that route already is a ready source of information.

you have plenty of friends here, even though you have that funny accent.

 

[wildsweetone]

i might go the way of the Poet's Market (i didn't realise there was such a book until Angeline mentioned it in the other thread). as for reading online journals, that doesn't much help me know without doubt that they're a reputable journal.

does Poet's Market contain NZ information?

recommendations would be worth their weight in gold. *smile*

and by the way, I don't have an accent.

 

[Tzara]

does Poet's Market contain NZ information?

If it doesn't, here's a list of poetry magazines in NZ. I don't, of course, know how comprehensive it is.

 

[wildsweetone]

thank you Tzara. i've just been wandering through a few journals from here, myself, printing off their submission guidelines. scary stuff i have to say. still, at least now i'm looking.

 

[Angeline]

Anna's thread brought something to mind... being a complete novice at submission, how do you know what is a reasonable place to submit and what isn't? or, is it a trial and error thing?

It is trial and error to an extent, imo, but you can reduce your likelihood of having poems rejected by getting to know publishers. Read their submissions guidelines carefully--be sure if they have upcoming theme issues, for example, that what you send fits in. Judge whether they appear willing to consider people who don't already have a reputation? How do you tell that? You read the poetry they do publish, especially what is in their mosr recent issues. And think about how your work would fit in. If a publication leans toward a particular style (i.e., form, free verse, more traditionally narrative, abstract experimental, prose poems, etc) and your poem is dissimilar, there's less chance they'll take it. If you think your poem "fits" the style of a journal and they don't publish only names, you've probably got a good shot at being accepted.

It's also important to consider whether a publisher accepts simultaneous submissions (i.e., submissions to more than one place at a time). Many paces don't and also take a long time to get back to you with a decision. You don't want to tie up a poem for months somewhere that isn't very likely to accept it. Of course the more you write, the more you have to send out.

Good luck! (And like Pat says you have friends here--like me, for example--pm or ask more specific questions if need be.)

 

[mojo_cat]

Don't limit yourself, too: there are a lot of magazines that publish mostly short fiction but accept poetry submissions as well. I have a huge list of them left over from the husband's Creative Writing degree submission workshops, I could email it to you if you're interested. Gives submissions guidelines, pay rates and rights info.

It helped me publish two poems this last season ^___^ hence taking down my work here on the advice of my "literary agent" (Hubby.)

 

[wildsweetone]

writing to a market? oh now there's a whole 'nother discussion.


Angeline, thank you for your words of wisdom. Looks like i have some serious writing to do and some serious publication reading. (i will PM when i have written enough to be able to spend some time picking and choosing - the hard part is going to be holding onto the poems and not posting them on Lit. *groan* )

 

[wildsweetone]

writing to a market? oh now there's a whole 'nother discussion.


Angeline, thank you for your words of wisdom. Looks like i have some serious writing to do and some serious publication reading. (i will PM when i have written enough to be able to spend some time picking and choosing - the hard part is going to be holding onto the poems and not posting them on Lit. *groan* )

guess what? i've written two poems today and already holding on to them, sucks.

i'm in complete awe of everyone who has ever been published.

 

[Angeline]

guess what? i've written two poems today and already holding on to them, sucks.

i'm in complete awe of everyone who has ever been published.

Honestly, it ain't that hard if you find the right place. There are so many wonderful poets submitting everywhere that I've become convinced finding the places that best fit you at the right time and a little bit of luck have more to do with it than anything else.

 

[wildsweetone]

luck is good. i'll store some of that.

patience. i've no patience now. maybe tomorrow, or something. right now i'm into ripping things.


i've ordered a copy of Poet's Market. can you believe that? i can't. and i've got beside me submission guidelines for a few NZ poetry journals and some overseas journals, and i'm looking at e-zines.

i'll find a place.

 

[SeattleRain]

If you want to send me the poems, I can take a look and see if I can think of a place that might like them. Just keep contact with someone who is going through it. In the beginning (and later) it can get discouraging and helps if you have someone who will tell you are wonderful when a rejection comes in.



I would have never been able to get started without a good friend who made me believe in myself me two years ago, and getting help from denis hale, who was still fresh but with some publishing history at the time, he gave me hope I could find some places that might want my stuff.

It makes a world of difference to have that support. I am not sure I could keep trying if not for some great friends, and reaching out to help others helps keep it in perspective, it feels more like a community when you can celebrate each other's success and absorb the pains of rejection.

One more piece of advice, set aside a time each week that is dedicated to getting your work out there. I used to do Monday nights, but that has stopped, and I just now realized how much I miss it!

Good luck! and Good Writing!

errr I just realized I am on as Seattle--sorry Tess, I really only sign on to check my pm's

~anna

luck is good. i'll store some of that.

patience. i've no patience now. maybe tomorrow, or something. right now i'm into ripping things.


i've ordered a copy of Poet's Market. can you believe that? i can't. and i've got beside me submission guidelines for a few NZ poetry journals and some overseas journals, and i'm looking at e-zines.

i'll find a place.

 

[SeattleRain]

it takes a lot of time reading through journals, read the writer's bios (but do not be intimidated!)

it is a lot of trial and error, it is also persistance. I just got a poem published that had been rejected 8 other places. Dayum.

OH and a great piece of advice given to me by jd4george-- ALWAYS send a thank you letter for a rejection. Sound odd? Sure. But it makes an impression. The editors out there do not make money. They spend countless hours and really get very little for it beyond personal satisfaction of a job well done. They do not want to hurt people's feelings, it is hard as hell to pick, and to let go of a good poem, so it is nice to know that people you reject do not hate you or find you to be an evil being.

Here is a letter I got after thanking the editors for reading my poems, understanding how many submissions they must go through etc, etc.

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for your kind and gracious response to our
declining your work. It is so refreshing to receive a
sweet reply. You will go far in publishing with that
kind of professional attitude provided you keep
writing and submitting your work. We encourage you to
keep reading and seeking publication that best venues
that suit your work. Know that any declination is not
a reflection of your work, and do not become
discouraged.

All our best,

It is not about kissing ass. It is about being professional and a decent human being I am so thankful to jd for this advice. It is about letting them know that you are a human, that way you might get more than the standard rejection letter, and it makes YOU feel more like a human too. It is all around a good feeling to send thank yous to all rejection letters. HA! Sounds so crazy!

~as

Anna's thread brought something to mind... being a complete novice at submission, how do you know what is a reasonable place to submit and what isn't? or, is it a trial and error thing?

 

[wildsweetone]

my god. you guys and girls are simply astounding. you work hard, play well, all the while honing your own skills and still you manage to spend some time giving to others.

i'm going to print out this whole thread and highlight each piece of advice.

mojo, my apologies for missing your post earlier. PM will be on the way in a few minutes to you.



this forum is the closest place to a live poet get-together that i am able to participate in. thank you for all your kind thoughts and help.

 

[annaswirls]

Anyone know anything about where I can get a template for a broadside?

 

[wildsweetone]

what is it?

 

[annaswirls]

what is it?

It's a little pamphlet made of a single sheet of paper (11x14) You can get 16 pages out of it. I have the folding directions but was hoping there was a template out there. I want something cheap to pass out for free at readings. or like a quarter. gumball poetry.

 

[wildsweetone]

Like this?


i've found a Word Template but it doesn't look like what you want... i'll have another gander after dinner - a couple of hours.

 

[annaswirls]

Like this?


i've found a Word Template but it doesn't look like what you want... i'll have another gander after dinner - a couple of hours.

Ha! That is the exact site I used to play around with my paper folding here I think I like the one with a short fold in the front. This is the extent of my origami.

I might just print out the mother and cut and paste!



Thanks for looking! You are sweet!

 

[wildsweetone]

... second thoughts, it looks like they're just pics of how to fold again. hmm i'll keep thinking about it.

...i would have thought microsoft publisher would be able to be tweaked to do something like this. have you checked it out at all?

 

[annaswirls]

... second thoughts, it looks like they're just pics of how to fold again. hmm i'll keep thinking about it.

...i would have thought microsoft publisher would be able to be tweaked to do something like this. have you checked it out at all?

I just submitted to a broadside thinggie they give out for free (so sleepy) and I am going to beg him to send me his template.

maybe if I send him a picture of my girlfriend the redhead over in sennas thread, he will give it to me

 

[wildsweetone]

looks like somebody ate your redhead for breakfast, or something. darn, i was hankering for a look too.

let me know if you have any luck with your begging letter. i'm sure they'll succumb easily to you. (however should they be foolish enough not to, i'll hunt around a little more.)