Saturday, August 20, 2005
Rejection
Got two more rejections in the mail today, one from Beloit Poetry Journal and one from [name withheld cuz it's someone I actually know, and I'm not trying to say there's anything wrong with rejecting the work I send]. I think I'd deal with the rejection better if my acceptances were spaced more steadily. Unfortunately, it seems like I'll have three acceptances in the space of two weeks, then periods like now, where I'm running at 15 consecutive rejections since a late-June acceptance. Those periods can be difficult for me, especially now, when I can really tell my writing is getting better, but the results don't reflect it.
I should add as a preemptive thing that yes, I know publication isn't the most important measure of how good your poetry is. Nonetheless, it's a measure, and something I am interested in.
I should add as a preemptive thing that yes, I know publication isn't the most important measure of how good your poetry is. Nonetheless, it's a measure, and something I am interested in.
Speaking of such things, how many people do you really trust to look at your poems and point out strengths and weaknesses and spur you to that last necessary polishing? I have maybe five, but unfortunately they're all so busy that it's difficult to send many poems to them or get responses before I want to move on to something else. Sigh.
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I post about everything I write at the Gazebo, but I really pay more attention to about three or four there more than other people. I have my friend Dave Lee, though turn around is a real problem because he gets all hi mail forwarded. Then there is my wife who is an excellent first reader, though she does not read that often because I might pay too much attention to her opnion.
I'm in a bit of a different position, because of grad school, where we have a workshop every semester. But even with that, there are about 5-7 people who's opinions I trust and respect. I'll listen to what everyone has to say and take it into consideration, but those 5-7 people I know read my work well and consistently have good comments and suggestions to make.
I've also showed stuff to bloggers in the past, and that has been a great experience (Anne, AJ, maybe Charles, too?), but that's not a regular event or anything.
I've also showed stuff to bloggers in the past, and that has been a great experience (Anne, AJ, maybe Charles, too?), but that's not a regular event or anything.
There are only two people I trust enough to show any of my poems to before I have published them. Both are severe critis but understand what I do and why I do it. There is one friend I will read a poem to over the phone for gestaldt, and then there is Jacob who reads my stuff but says little about it. It is too hard to educate readers in one's style and strengths. Most people just try to turn your poem into their poem. That is why I only show to the two I trust.
I submit work for consideration as a "reward" to myself for writing poems, editing them, and the like. If I write 3 good poems, then I allow myself to send batches of those + older poems to six places (give or take). Oh, and open the envelope last. I find that when I open the envelope last, it's an acceptance (worked for Crab Orchard and Caketrain.) Throw salt over your shoulder. Kidding on the last one.
Do you mean you open the envelope last of everything you get in the mail that day? Maybe I should try that. :-P
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