| Author | Message | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 31301 Registered: 11-1998 |
. Want to know what editors of some really excellent journals are thinking? Go here: Editorial Brain Picking Part I by Angie Ledbetter Love, M . | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 4408 Registered: 05-2006 |
Dear Mr. Longfroth, Despite our repeated address changes, you continued to chase us down and send us your . . . stuff. In the case of your most recent submission, our screener overlooked the warning on the "automatic rejection list," and read all four of your . . . things. Within minutes, Leslie began having tremors, grew dizzy, turned a pasty white, and fell to the floor. She hit her head against one of the legs of the desk and suffered a concussion. As she didn't come to immediately, my assistant editor Jeffrey called an ambulance. At the hospital, they gave her an MRI and found she had suffered major brain damage. Please be aware that we are holding you 100% responsible for this tragedy. Leslie's husband and two daughters are suing you for $8-million. When the DA read your things, she concurred with us that they are lethal weapons sent to us much in the manner of the Unabomber. As I write this, the Grand Jury is returning an indictment for attempted murder. Hatefully, Robert Clark Editor Serendipity Letters | ||
| Brianna
Intermediate Member Username: shkethtmnymkrhorsey Post Number: 623 Registered: 12-2007 |
Thank you for sharing this link M. Its so nice to be able to see inside these editorss mind. Bri ...I heard a neigh. Oh, such a brisk and melodious neigh as that was! My very heart leaped with delight at the sound. ~Nathaniel Hawthorn This is my life. And I love it | ||
| Rania S. Watts
Advanced Member Username: cementcoveredcherries Post Number: 1836 Registered: 04-2008 |
Hi M, Thank you so much for always keeping us informed, with every aspect of writing. Cheers, Ran "I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again." ~ Oscar Wilde "You will hardly know who I am or what I mean" ~ Walt Whitman Cement Covered Cherry | ||
| Emusing
Senior Member Username: emusing Post Number: 6388 Registered: 08-2003 |
It's good to know what other editors are thinking. I absolutely hate to send a rejection note especially when it's someone I know. Somehow I think people consider it a personal affront. I encourage poets to resubmit. It's rarely a matter of quality, just not the right fit for the journal which is of course why poets need to read a number of samples, purchase copies of journals if available. I have been spending a pretty penny lately. I received a very nice acknowledgement from an excellent journal the other day. I thought that was the greatest. Even if I am not accepted, I still feel that the journal projected a warm and inviting environment. e Word Walker Press; Moonday Poetry; Kyoto Journal "All you who are dreamers too, help me make our world anew." --Langston Hughes | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 10018 Registered: 07-2002 |
Thanks for the link, M. I just about turned purple when I read the 'in lieu of rejection' policy for the Rose and Thorn. That's pretty stinky. They acknowledge receipt of the poem and tell you when the reading period is over so you can figure out you were rejected on your own. I dunno---it struck me as passive aggressive and a major cop out. Having spent the past several years on the query/rejection circuit for my novels, I HATE it when agents don't respond. I'm a big girl. Tell me straight out that 'it's not right for me' and I'll move onto the next query. Do you know that fully 1/3 of my queries have gone unanswered after a year? Sorry for the rant, but that seems unprofessional to me. xo ljc ps--just read over my post--wow, did that strike a nerve! LOL. Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 31306 Registered: 11-1998 |
Mr. Longfroth -- did you fail to mention that you are licensed to carry a concealed, lethal weapon in 48 states and Puerto Rico? You keep forgetting to put that in your cover letter, don't you? Shame, really. The staff at Stirring wore full body armor and carried shields when we opened your submission. Not even one death or injury. Forewarned is forearmed. Or four-armed. Or something like that. Glad the rest of you enjoyed the read. And down, Lisa, down girl! *LOL* It's not what happens to you, it's how you look at it, I guess. I'm OK with the Rose & Thorn policy. It's just a different way of doing business and the wait is over when the issue goes live. However, (BIG however), my opinion on that doesn't translate to book queries. A novel is a serious undertaking, is often years in the making, and deserves some kind of response (since there's no automatic cut-off date by which you could judge for yourself). At any rate, I certainly do like Rose & Thorn's way of handling it more than certain other journals who will remain nameless. I still haven't heard back from one I sent poems to way back in March. That's unacceptable in my opinion. Six months is more than enough time and not responding at all is rather rude. At least R&T tells you upfront that they only send acceptances. Love, M | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 4409 Registered: 05-2006 |
Everyone please note: ~M~ has a poem ("She doesn't question it") in the current issue of Rose and Thorn. Congratulations ~M~. * * * * * (Message edited by sandiegopoet on September 08, 2008) | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 31312 Registered: 11-1998 |
Yeah, I do have work there currently, Mr. BigmouthSmartiePants . . . errr . . . Longfroth, but that's not why I'm OK with their procedures. I've been submitting to R&T for oh, I don't know, about eight years now. And been unaccepted by them for that long as well. But R&T is a good journal with a good name, so I kept trying. I've suffered at the hands of their no rejection letter policy for quite some time. Honestly, it wasn't really insufferable. If you haven't gotten an acceptance letter and it's pretty close to the release date, it's not really that hard to put two and two together. I didn't need them to tell me outright. Lisa feels differently and I respect that and support her in her angst. I guess I'm just used to a lot of rejection. I don't wait with bated breath anymore to hear back from anyone. If a journal wants your work, they'll contact you. I have more than enough rejection letters. Who's got room for any more? Or maybe I can come over to your house and start papering your walls with my rejection letters. You got any free walls left? *LOL* Love, M | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 4411 Registered: 05-2006 |
When I get a rejection letter, I carefully slip it back into the envelope, reseal it, and then glue the envelope to a brick. Next I write "INSUFFICIENT POSTAGE - RETURN TO SENDER" on the front. Maybe that explains why, a few weeks ago, someone threw a brick through my window, and screamed "for you, Dad" -- while playing an angry Sharon Olds poem on a boom box. Then this evildoer sped off in his or her Beaterazzi. * * * * * [comment withdrawn] (Message edited by sandiegopoet on September 12, 2008) | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 31315 Registered: 11-1998 |
Pardon me for being a brutal lout, dearest Derf, but I duknowwhy. The reason you haven't been submitting is that you are underneath the ogre costume you cling to, a sensitive soul. And every rejection is like a knife to your heart, a black mark on your soul (heart and soul -- don't ya' just love them cliches?). Some people just have a lower tolerance for rejection, that's all. Hearing no a majority of the time makes them feel rather ill. There's no shame in that. I sympathize with them, even though I'm of a different breed. I've had the door slammed in my face so much, my nose is completely flat. Oh, well -- saves me the cost of plastic surgery. When it comes to the writing, my heart and soul are made of steel. Guess I'm a lot like Superman that way. I get my acceptances in other areas. I say if Mr. Kowit sees something in you, I'd take that feelgood feeling and run with it. Yes, put a book together. What have you got to lose except maybe more of your heart and soul? Hey, you've still got your mind, and that's much more important. I'd be Edit for you, Fredit, (for nothin' -- how stupid am I?), but you wouldn't like what I'd do to you. Me with a red pen in my hand makes Insensitive Poems for Barbarians look like a Brownie meeting. I'm a SlashandBurn Overbearing Savage, Fredit, so stay away from me. No need to make you feel worse than you already do. I'm your friend, Fredit. Why would I want to do that to you? There isn't enough money in the world to make that worthwhile. Love, M | ||
| brenda morisse
Advanced Member Username: moritric Post Number: 2422 Registered: 04-2007 |
oops (Message edited by moritric on September 09, 2008) | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 4419 Registered: 05-2006 |
Impertinent of me to ask. Sorry. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 10025 Registered: 07-2002 |
Fred--I actually don't think it's impertinent to ask. I've been kicking something around in my head (ouch! Oooph! Watch it!!) for a while now. Basically, I'd be interested in exploring an editorial collective where a group of writers putting collections together would swap manuscripts for editing. I'm NOT proposing this as an official WPF activity, but rather something I'd like to explore for a number of reasons. I have come to believe that the chapbook contests are barely a step above scam. The amount of money they take in through reading fees is enormous. At least the more reputable ones give you a chapbook from their collection for your fee. Also, there is such a small market for poetry, that I'd sell as many (or as few, as the case may be) offering a chapbook or small collection on my own as through a small press. Frankly, I suspect I have more readership on wild that I would were I in print. LOL. In any event, I'd like to put a small collection together, but I know I am a poor judge of my own writing. The major pitfall to self publishing is lack of editorial oversight. I'm a good editor, just not of my own material. So, just thinking. . . And these are only my personal thoughts, not representing Wild at all here, so don't go clamoring to the admin for an editorial forum or the incorporation of a Wild press, OK? best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 31348 Registered: 11-1998 |
*LOL* Lisa. Thanks. No, it ain't impertinent, Mr. Longfroth. Honestly, there's nothing I'd like better than getting a chance to rip your work to shreds. I love working with gifted authors on improving their already gifted work. It's an honor that I cherish. The problem is the temperament and sensitive feelings of those gifted poets. You start sticking your fingers in their soup pots, and they get a little upset. Wouldn't want to ruin a friendship that way, so I keep my fingers out of the pot. What I do here at Wild is just skim the surface. If people knew what I'd really like to recommend, they'd burn me in reality, not in effigy. And the basic problem? Who even knows if what I'd recommend is right. Love, M | ||
| Teresa White
Advanced Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 1470 Registered: 01-2005 |
Lisa, Regarding your comment about the small market for poetry. I have two books of poetry (had help from friends for the printing costs--about $5,000 for each book. They're my books so I can price them any way I want. I've always known there's no money in poetry (with few exceptions) but I was surprised beyond that. I can't give my books away. Once in a while, if I'm sneaky, I'll drop one in someone's backpack. If I'm stuck with them a year from now, I'm buying some super glue and build that extra room I've always wanted. Best, T. Be satisfied that ye have enough light to secure another foothold. Anon. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 10036 Registered: 07-2002 |
Teresa--do you have a website where they are for sale? I would like to buy one.  One less for your construction project. xo ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| Teresa White
Advanced Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 1473 Registered: 01-2005 |
Lisa. Really? Thanks. I was just wonderin' how much three gallons of super glue would cost. lol In my WILD profile I've given one of two bookstores in the country where my books are stocked. No link there ...but Google does the job for most. Here's my site. teresawhitepoetry.com Click under "Contact" and there will be a link to both bookstores (one in Seattle, the other here in Spokane). It's the usual when you get there -- in the search box, type in "Gardenias for a Beast"--that should take you directly to a little photo of my book, price n such. Wow, a sale! Thanks again. ~T. Be satisfied that ye have enough light to secure another foothold. Anon. | ||
| Teresa White
Advanced Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 1474 Registered: 01-2005 |
p.s. Lisa, it doesn't appear the above link to my site is working. Try this. www.teresawhitepoetry.com Be satisfied that ye have enough light to secure another foothold. Anon. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 10040 Registered: 07-2002 |
Teresa--You should probably have a link to purchase the book right on the same page as the book is shown on your website. Also, ordering online from either of these bookstores is a huge production of registering on the sites and having to add all your personal information before you can find out how much shipping is going to cost. I timed out on the server with Eliot Bay books and will try again in the morning. best, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| Teresa White
Advanced Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 1477 Registered: 01-2005 |
Lisa, I had no idea. Probably because hardly anyone has ever tried to order one of my books... Don't fret over the bookstores. Email me with your address and I'll put one in the mail to you. Best, T. Be satisfied that ye have enough light to secure another foothold. Anon. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 10041 Registered: 07-2002 |
Teresa, No worries. Maybe you could sell them yourself via ebay or a direct paypal link. I'll email you with my info. Best, ljc (sorry to hijack the thread, all!) Once in a Blue Muse Blog LJCohen | ||
| Lazarus
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 4015 Registered: 10-2005 |
Lisa- It's nice to see that this thread has developed dividends! I bought Teresa's book from the Aunties book store link and it wasn't too much trouble. I did have to join though, but that didn't slow me down much. I think direct sales are a good idea for you Teresa, just to speed up the process for those you reach out to. I think in the long run it isn't "the poet" that decides if their work is important. It's not sales or publications that matter. In the end you'll have a body of work that shows what you've been doing. Just keep good files of your best work, keep a few friends in the loop, and let posterity fall where it may. That's my philosophy anyway! -Laz | ||
| Teresa White
Advanced Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 1478 Registered: 01-2005 |
Laz, I think you're right about the direct sale approach. Though at my first website, when I was promoting my first book "In What Furnace?," I DID give interested parties my mailing address in case they wished me to personalize it for them. Well, 5,000 hits and two years later, I had not sold one single book though even then, early 2000, I think I was published in practically every journal on the internet. So, folks had heard of me. I mean, I got fan mail, still do occasionally. But even those who claim to like my work just never seem to get around to ordering one...a back burner kind of thing. I give them away to anyone who shows an interest and, especially, those whose only reason is that they cannot afford it (modestly priced really)... And, Laz, I totally agree with every word in your closing paragraph. Let posterity fall where it may. Best, T. Be satisfied that ye have enough light to secure another foothold. Anon. |
