Post by jeannerené on Jun 15, 2007 23:34:26 GMT -8
poetrymagic.co.uk
Publishing Your Poetry
Publishing your poetry is easier if you understand the publishing process: who is looking for what, and where your efforts fit into the general scheme of things.
Magazine Publishing
Most literary magazines want poetry, but they want poetry of a type that fits in with their preconceptions as to what contemporary poetry is and should be doing. What those preconceptions are can be gauged by reading what is published, and by such policy statements as appear in the magazine or in directories of publishing outlets for poets. Sending a carefully-crafted sonnet to an avant garde magazine is a nonsense, and editors continually complain that two thirds of their time is wasted in reading material of the wrong style or content, wrong length, no covering letter addressed to them by name, no publishing history, no SAE for response, etc. Guidelines are given for a reason, and have to be read.
Indeed the whole magazine should be read before submission. Literary magazines are usually labours of love, perilously short of funds and subsisting on grants, competition receipts and the personal generosity of friends. It helps to first send for a trial copy, to read it carefully, and at least take out a year's subscription if the submission is accepted. Editors feel their efforts are truly rewarded if each issue contains a few poems that are really good, and what they ask in publishing your poetry is the financial means to continue providing a platform for new work.
Or the best ones do. There are still many magazines that have less worthy aims. Some dream of publishing only nationally famous poets, and assess each submission by name rather than by work. Unless well-known on the poetry circuit — and editors are very knowledgeable here — your poetry goes into a slush pile, to be picked over if space unexpectedly appears when selections have been made from submissions by big names and personal friends. Some magazines accept practically everything, and follow up their flattering words of 'exceptional talent' etc. with offers of overpriced anthologies or conferences of 'selected poets'. Some magazines are the in-house journals of university English departments, and their young editors do not always have the reading and experience to tell the good from the merely fashionable.
Remember also that the book trade can still be amateurish, especially in impoverished areas like poetry. Keep copies of everything sent. Allow a few months before sending the polite follow-up. Be systematic in submissions, making them one of the regular chores of writing. Treasure your successes, but don't expect all doors to open thereafter.
Publishing your poetry takes time and patience, an immense quantity of both, but you will eventually see some pattern and reward.
Publishing on the Internet
There are now thousands of literary ezines on the Internet, many with excellent articles, bulletin boards and workshops where poems and writing matters are discussed and encouraged. Most accept submission by email, which is an enormous boon for poets submitting from overseas: no more SAEs and International Reply Coupons. In general, publishing your poetry through these channels is no different from submission to the conventional magazine, and your efforts will be more favourable received if the guidelines are followed. A few words of praise don't go amiss, if perceptive and sincere: 'I admire the range of work you publish, and particularly liked so-and-so's poem in the last issue, which seemed to me . . .' etc. Editors are human, and like to feel their efforts are appreciated.
Unfortunately, caveats apply also to the less scrupulous ezines. Ask around, and beware of expensive if 'handsomely produced' anthologies where your work will feature with other leading poets.' Everyone has to earn their daily bread, but featuring in these outlets will not help you later on, but quite the reverse.
Bulletin Boards
If you'd like feedback on your work, consider submitting to one or more of the 45 poetry bulletin boards listed by TextEtc. On the same page are listings for online workshops and critiquing services.
Writing Groups
Many publishing opportunities come through literary associations and networking. Your local poetry or writing group probably issues a yearly anthology, and you may find yourself on its steering committee. In fact you should take a full part in its activities, including the less pleasant tasks of maintaining the books and chasing up subscriptions. Poems read in local groups may not be critiqued in great depth, but the comments are usually genuine and helpful. The feedback can help you fix problems that magazine editors simply don't have the time to point out.
Two final suggestions.
Don't submit your collection to a prestigious publisher until you have built up a decent reputation in the better-known literary magazines.
And take your time when publishing your poetry, submitting when you're fully satisfied that you cannot improve on the work.
You'll find more information, and Internet references on poetrymagic.co.uk.
Publishing your poetry is easier if you understand the publishing process: who is looking for what, and where your efforts fit into the general scheme of things.
Magazine Publishing
Most literary magazines want poetry, but they want poetry of a type that fits in with their preconceptions as to what contemporary poetry is and should be doing. What those preconceptions are can be gauged by reading what is published, and by such policy statements as appear in the magazine or in directories of publishing outlets for poets. Sending a carefully-crafted sonnet to an avant garde magazine is a nonsense, and editors continually complain that two thirds of their time is wasted in reading material of the wrong style or content, wrong length, no covering letter addressed to them by name, no publishing history, no SAE for response, etc. Guidelines are given for a reason, and have to be read.
Indeed the whole magazine should be read before submission. Literary magazines are usually labours of love, perilously short of funds and subsisting on grants, competition receipts and the personal generosity of friends. It helps to first send for a trial copy, to read it carefully, and at least take out a year's subscription if the submission is accepted. Editors feel their efforts are truly rewarded if each issue contains a few poems that are really good, and what they ask in publishing your poetry is the financial means to continue providing a platform for new work.
Or the best ones do. There are still many magazines that have less worthy aims. Some dream of publishing only nationally famous poets, and assess each submission by name rather than by work. Unless well-known on the poetry circuit — and editors are very knowledgeable here — your poetry goes into a slush pile, to be picked over if space unexpectedly appears when selections have been made from submissions by big names and personal friends. Some magazines accept practically everything, and follow up their flattering words of 'exceptional talent' etc. with offers of overpriced anthologies or conferences of 'selected poets'. Some magazines are the in-house journals of university English departments, and their young editors do not always have the reading and experience to tell the good from the merely fashionable.
Remember also that the book trade can still be amateurish, especially in impoverished areas like poetry. Keep copies of everything sent. Allow a few months before sending the polite follow-up. Be systematic in submissions, making them one of the regular chores of writing. Treasure your successes, but don't expect all doors to open thereafter.
Publishing your poetry takes time and patience, an immense quantity of both, but you will eventually see some pattern and reward.
Publishing on the Internet
There are now thousands of literary ezines on the Internet, many with excellent articles, bulletin boards and workshops where poems and writing matters are discussed and encouraged. Most accept submission by email, which is an enormous boon for poets submitting from overseas: no more SAEs and International Reply Coupons. In general, publishing your poetry through these channels is no different from submission to the conventional magazine, and your efforts will be more favourable received if the guidelines are followed. A few words of praise don't go amiss, if perceptive and sincere: 'I admire the range of work you publish, and particularly liked so-and-so's poem in the last issue, which seemed to me . . .' etc. Editors are human, and like to feel their efforts are appreciated.
Unfortunately, caveats apply also to the less scrupulous ezines. Ask around, and beware of expensive if 'handsomely produced' anthologies where your work will feature with other leading poets.' Everyone has to earn their daily bread, but featuring in these outlets will not help you later on, but quite the reverse.
Bulletin Boards
If you'd like feedback on your work, consider submitting to one or more of the 45 poetry bulletin boards listed by TextEtc. On the same page are listings for online workshops and critiquing services.
Writing Groups
Many publishing opportunities come through literary associations and networking. Your local poetry or writing group probably issues a yearly anthology, and you may find yourself on its steering committee. In fact you should take a full part in its activities, including the less pleasant tasks of maintaining the books and chasing up subscriptions. Poems read in local groups may not be critiqued in great depth, but the comments are usually genuine and helpful. The feedback can help you fix problems that magazine editors simply don't have the time to point out.
Two final suggestions.
Don't submit your collection to a prestigious publisher until you have built up a decent reputation in the better-known literary magazines.
And take your time when publishing your poetry, submitting when you're fully satisfied that you cannot improve on the work.
You'll find more information, and Internet references on poetrymagic.co.uk.
