Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Pushcarts
It was pointed out on a message board where I announced Poetry West's Pushcart Prize nominations that I had previously characterized Pushcart nominations and other such publisher-driven nominations as "coming in Pez dispensers." I think this was intended as a "Gotcha!" moment, but I haven't changed my stance--my characterization was in response to someone who was claiming that a publisher nomination for the Griffin Prize or the National Book Award represented a realistic chance (or even a chance in hell) of winning. So, whose assessment was more accurate, mine or theirs?
I hope the people we've nominated realize that the fact of their nomination doesn't mean they have much of a shot of winning a Pushcart, given what a small publication we are and how many more prestigious places nominate. I use the nominations as a modest means of saying "Thank you for sending such good work--I'd like to see it recognized further." It's like having a poem on Verse Daily (a little less than that, probably) or seeing a review of your journal on NewPages: little things that feel nice but that shouldn't be made out to be more than they are.
I hope the people we've nominated realize that the fact of their nomination doesn't mean they have much of a shot of winning a Pushcart, given what a small publication we are and how many more prestigious places nominate. I use the nominations as a modest means of saying "Thank you for sending such good work--I'd like to see it recognized further." It's like having a poem on Verse Daily (a little less than that, probably) or seeing a review of your journal on NewPages: little things that feel nice but that shouldn't be made out to be more than they are.
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As editors of small publications with limited (or no) funds, it behooves us to celebrate and honor the work of our contributors in as many ways as we can. I would love to be able to pay contributors. Someday, maybe.
But until then, a Pushcart nomination (that may have little chance of winning) is by far a better way than by saying "Send me $20 bucks for a shot to win whatever award I thought up so I can raise some cash for my other projects." As someone who pays for everything out-of-pocket, I am sympathetic to funding woes, but there has to be better ways than by hitting up would-be contributors.
I'd rather spend my time figuring out doable ways to promote my contributors' work.
But until then, a Pushcart nomination (that may have little chance of winning) is by far a better way than by saying "Send me $20 bucks for a shot to win whatever award I thought up so I can raise some cash for my other projects." As someone who pays for everything out-of-pocket, I am sympathetic to funding woes, but there has to be better ways than by hitting up would-be contributors.
I'd rather spend my time figuring out doable ways to promote my contributors' work.
I agree. I do think it's a sad commentary, though, that "Send $20 to win a poetry prize" will get a hundred times more responses than "Send $5 to get a journal chockful of good poetry."
And I don't even want to go into how much I spent on the last issue of the Muse. Suffice to say I'm now a lifetime member of Poetry West.
And I don't even want to go into how much I spent on the last issue of the Muse. Suffice to say I'm now a lifetime member of Poetry West.
I think as editors across the board we have to think of smarter and more efficient ways to finance our projects, keeps costs low and "compensate" our contributors. It's definitely a creative challenge. I know editors who spend months working on proposals for grants -- often they could make more money using that time folding sweaters at the Gap for a month. Maybe that's smarter? At least you know you'll get the money.
It is sad that more people will pay a contest fee than actually buy a journal or book and a cynic might say they're there to be milked. No Tell is listed in the 2006 Poets Market and I already see that was a big mistake. But as an editor, my interest is promoting work I feel strongly about and I don't want to take time away from doing that by all the energy I'd exert by taking the cash of wanna-be "famous" poets' that those contests most appeal. I'd rather figure out a better way.
There are better ways. There has to be.
It is sad that more people will pay a contest fee than actually buy a journal or book and a cynic might say they're there to be milked. No Tell is listed in the 2006 Poets Market and I already see that was a big mistake. But as an editor, my interest is promoting work I feel strongly about and I don't want to take time away from doing that by all the energy I'd exert by taking the cash of wanna-be "famous" poets' that those contests most appeal. I'd rather figure out a better way.
There are better ways. There has to be.
Well, now, Pez are mighty tasty candy. When I got my Pushcart nomination, I took it to mean an editor I respect had read my poem a second time - already a good thing - and continued to find it valuable (or accomplished, or good, or whatever) - which is all the encouragement I need.
Re: Reb's comment above, does listing in PoMar actually encourage people to submit without purchase?
Re: Reb's comment above, does listing in PoMar actually encourage people to submit without purchase?
Yes, no matter how many listings say "read a sample issue first" -- people submit without having any idea of where they're sending.
You'd hope for an online magazine (no purchase necessary - FREE!) people would at least go to the online submission guidelines and read those before sending, but no.
I'll probably ask not to be included in next year's.
You'd hope for an online magazine (no purchase necessary - FREE!) people would at least go to the online submission guidelines and read those before sending, but no.
I'll probably ask not to be included in next year's.
i never send my poems to mags that
aren't listed in Poets Market . . .
if you're too snobby for PM, you're too
snobby for me. . .
aren't listed in Poets Market . . .
if you're too snobby for PM, you're too
snobby for me. . .
# posted by 
: November 04, 2005 10:15 AM
: November 04, 2005 10:15 AM
Suit yourself, there was no dearth of submissions to No Tell before PM -- although it has nothing to do with being snobby and has everything to do with time management. Like every other unpaid poetry editor out there, I fit editing wherever I can into a tight schedule (raising a baby, other publishing projects, my own writing, cleaning the house, etc.). If the bulk of submissions that stem from the PW listing are unusuable and/or ignore our clear and easy guidelines, the listing is more of a hinderence than a help to finding poems to publish. An additional hour of work each week that doesn't lead to anything fruitful is a precious hour wasted and yes, time and energy is that tight.
I'm assuming you're using PM to learn about the existence of publications and you then get a copy or visit the site before you submit. Else you're wasting a great deal of your own precious time.
Once upon a time I used to use PM and send to pubs sight unseen. Wish I could get that time back.
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I'm assuming you're using PM to learn about the existence of publications and you then get a copy or visit the site before you submit. Else you're wasting a great deal of your own precious time.
Once upon a time I used to use PM and send to pubs sight unseen. Wish I could get that time back.
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