| Author | Message | ||
| M
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 36055 Registered: 11-1998 |
. Last night I was reading an old interview with Denise Duhamel, a teacher of poetry at Florida International University in Miama and widely published/admired poet, in which she admits that her poetry collection Kinky was rejected fifty-three times before it was accepted by Orchises Press. She went on to say that the book was finished in 1991 and didn't come out until 1997. That's six years and 53 rejections. Kinky is now in its seventh printing and is her best-selling book. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It's satiric, fun, and a fierce look at our society. Even though it's been over a decade since its release, the collection is still relevant and pointed. I'd hate to think it might never have made it into the world. I believe Ms. Duhamel said it best: "It's one of those lessons to writers. You just have to keep knocking on doors, knocking on doors, knocking on doors." So, if you've been submitting and been rejected, have hope. And if you really believe in something, keep pursuing it. Just think how things might have been different if Ms. Duhamel had given up after the 53rd rejection. Her story proves you have to have the guts to stay the course. Love, M | ||
| Laura Ring
Advanced Member Username: laura Post Number: 1153 Registered: 05-2007 |
That's a very inspiring story, M. Thanks for sharing it. I like Denise Duhamel's work. I will put Kinky on my list. (Wait, that didn't sound right...)  Love, Laura | ||
| Fred Longworth
Senior Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 7229 Registered: 05-2006 |
I gave a copy of Ka-ching to a good friend for a Christmas present. Duhamel is my kind of writer, a sharp wit similar IMHO to Addonizio. * * * * * Laura, nice to see you back at Wild. Fred * * * * * I may not be here tomorrow . . . so this is for today. | ||
| Laura Ring
Advanced Member Username: laura Post Number: 1156 Registered: 05-2007 |
Thank you, Fred! It feels so good to be back. I picked up a used copy of Duhamel's "Star-Spangled Banner" from Powell's a couple of years ago, knowing nothing about her beforehand. I thought it was fabulous. Love, Laura | ||
| brenda morisse
Senior Member Username: moritric Post Number: 3934 Registered: 04-2007 |
Wow, did you say 53 times? Man oh man. This is truly inspirational. I've been turned down maybe 10 times and thought publishing was a lost cause. Guess I'll try again. Thank-you dearest swinka. love, love borrachita with no excuses | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 11763 Registered: 07-2002 |
Thanks for posting this, M. I did have a giggle because I kept thinking about this silly SciFi movie I saw years back--a spoof on the actors who played in Star Trek--called "Galaxy Quest". Their motto was "Never give up, never surrender." http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Galaxy_Quest ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog Poetry Chapbook: "Chop Wood, Carry Water" |
