Poem Publishing
by Ted L Glines
Recently, someone said, “There is no market for poems anymore.” Of course, he could not have been more mistaken. I told him to play a CD, listen to any music-radio station, go to any concert, and listen to those song-lyrics. Poetry, alive and well! Times have not changed the needs of publishers. The next song-release is only a blank disk until some singer gets your poem and your verses sing through his voice. The next literary magazine issue is only a hundred blank pages until your poem arrives in its editor's mailbox (postal or email). Greeting card companies will pay as much as $100 for a verse which you can write on one side of a 3x5 index card, and the upcoming holiday publishers crave all-new verses (yours).
Some time back, I stumbled upon Bat World Sanctuary, a non-profit organization here in Texas. Bat World rehabilitates abused bats. They carried a story about Bentley, an African straw-colored flying fox (Bentley had been born and raised in an American zoo, and had been abused terribly by them (sub-saharan flying fox, large fruit bat, body about the size of a small cat, makes a loyal and friendly pet) (Bentley's story is typical of man 's inhumanity to dependent animals). This poor creature was rescued by the folks at Bat World, who rehabilitated him, and Bentley spent his remaining four (happy) years at the sanctuary, until he passed away. I read all of Bentley's sad story and discussed it with a friend in Oregon, and she said, “I think you feel a poem coming on!” I did write a poem. I sent the poem to one of the directors of Bat World Sanctuary. Next thing I knew, my poem was published on Bentley's Memorial page! This one surprised me because I had mean the poem as a thank-you to the volunteers for a job well done. (http://www.batworld.org/in_memory/bentley.html) Getting published in the more traditional poetry market is even easier.
One fellow poet told me, “I wouldn't stoop to writing those trite greeting-card verses.” His statement ranks near the top of my list of stupid things uttered by an intellectual mouth (right with the quote at the top of this article). How would you like to find something stunning, something which really speaks to your heart, when you browse those racks of greeting cards? Well, so would American Greetings (and they pay well)! They receive hundreds of trite verses every week, but they are always looking for something special. They are waiting for you! Figure about six months lead-time for holiday-specific verse.
College and private literary magazines are always seeking new poems from new talent. In the case of college literary magazines, the school is funding publication and circulation costs, and they will usually send you a complimentary copy of any issue where your work is published. Private literary magazines work under more stringent conditions - where the magazine owner funds all costs of publishing and circulation out of his/her wallet. A larger literary magazine may be 100 pages and total printing/circulation costs may run as high as $12 per circulated copy of each issue. In either case, subscriptions do not even pay postage costs. Soooo ... it is easy to be published in the private literary magazines but you might want to subscribe (to assure yourself of getting your copy) and maybe support them in other ways (they will appreciate your help). The look and feel of literary magazines is evolving as they are transiting to Webzine design with POD capabilities.
That brings us to the POD book publishers like Publish America, Lulu, etc. They do their job and they do it quite well. They attractively publish your book of poems, stories, articles, or even your novel or scholarly textbook, at little or no ($$$) cost to you. It is a wonderful thing to hold a book in your hand with a great title, great cover art, and your name featured on its front cover - as the author! Yes! The POD book publishers will give this gift to you. They will list your book on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, on Books-a-Million, etc., and on their own Websites, as well. But they do not edit your work, so the quality of your book will remain entirely your concern. Faulty grammer, spelling, word-context, will be yours to perfect, on your own, and your book will die because of such faults. The major bookstores will not stock your book on their in-store sales shelves because the POD book publishers cannot offer “return” guarantees. Further, the POD book publishers will not, can not, market your book beyond the above Website listings. Fact is, the actual proactive marketing of your book, along with its internal quality, will be in your own ballpark (which is as it should be - after all, your earnings require your own efforts). Without going to near-book length, this article cannot cover marketing strategies. But, a good start (now that your POD book is out there and available) would be working the marketing turf provided by your own local writers groups, guilds, and posting your book-link on every Website in the world! Bragging works wonders!
Finally, at the bottom of my list, are the anthologies promoted by Poetry.com and their ilk. No matter what you send to them (stunning or trash), they will publish it in one of their many anthologies. Three poems to a page. Tiny print. Thick hard-bound book. And, for $39+, you may receive a copy of ”your” book. I am looking at “my” book right now. I have put a placemark in it to be able to find my own poem. It put a damper on my pride when I realized that hundreds of other poets also had placemarks in their “own” books (they likely never read my poem), and when I realized that I had never seen this anthology listed for sale anywhere. Hmmm ... and still, after all these years, I receive my “special invitations” to receive grand poetic awards at their Las Vegas conventions. Every poet should do this once ...
Frankly, getting published is easier than writing your work. Mostly. Have you ever noticed that those poems which wake you up, already written and singing in your mind, are the ones which are accepted for publication first time out? Gotta listen to that muse!
untitled
by Ted L Glines
Imagine if you will
a poem who feels slighted
neglected dejected rejected
full of rhythm full of rhyme
be-bop dancing all the time
all for naught
with the sorry name
"untitled"
a poem who dreams
of being laureate
with encores and applause
unrequited fame
in the dumpster with ragged bras
no more value than an ash
spindled crumpled in the trash
"untitled"
an orphan among poems
with images dramatic
roaring forest fires
full of crispy critters
(*baked damsels for the dragon*)
but our hero poem
never gets a chance
with that pauper's name
"untitled"
you cannot keep
a good poem down
yes you can
(*sobs this poem*)
you cannot
ever be a winner
with that nowhere name
"untitled"
Author's Notes: No one can deny that poems have style and character, perhaps even personality. Extrapolating from this, may they not have feelings, as well? Can a poem be depressed, perhaps even suicidal? One wonders how you might medicate a psychotic poem ...
Getting Your Poems Published - June 2007
by Ted L Glines
With the sad loss of A. Charles Roger, excellent writer, teacher, and friend, it is appropriate to use him to demonstrate one of the inner “secrets” to getting published easily and often. A. Charles Roger (the Professor) always personalized everything he wrote. Even in his critical essays, the Professor wrote in a personal tone, as if he was penning a letter to his dearest friend. This personal approach hooks the reader; the reader will beg for more, and such personal styling will have the same effect on editors. Try it. You will like the results.
As a writer, you are likely to be well read and your vocabulary is extensive. Keep in mind that Americans have an average eighth grade reading level. If your writing is above their heads, they will turn you off. Simplicity works best.
Avoid using contractions if you would like your work to be translated for the international venues. Contractions are simply lazy English as spoken and written by Americans. Contractions may fail to translate.
Publications may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of writing. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh sources:
The Journal, Ohio State University, 421 Denney Hall, 164 W. 17th Ave., Columbus OH 43210. Editors: Kathy Fagan, Michelle Herman. Semiannual literary magazine, 100 percent freelance written. Circulation: 1,200. Pays on Publication. Sample copy for $5, guidelines for #10 SASE. Looking for avant-garde, free verse, and traditional. Buys about 100 poems per year. Please submit not more than 5 poems. Pays $25.
The North American Review, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. Editor: Robley Wilson. Poetry Editor: Peter Cooley. Published six times a year, 50 percent freelance written. Circulation: 5,000. Pays on Publication. Sample copy for $4. No restrictions, highest quality only. Pays 50 cents a line, minimum of $20.
The Northwoods Journal, A Magazine for Writers, Conservatory of American Letters, P.O. Box 298, Thomaston ME 04861. Managing Editor: Robert Olmsted. Quarterly literary magazine, 80 percent freelance written. Circulation: 500. Pays on acceptance. Sample copy for $5, guidelines for #10 SASE. Avant-garde, free verse, haiku, light verse, and traditional. Buys 30 to 40 poems per year, paying $2.50 to $25 for each.
Poetry, The Modern Poetry Association, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago IL 60610. Editor: Joseph Parisi. Managing Editor: Helen Lothrop Klaviter. Monthly magazine, 100 percent freelance written. Circulation: 7,500. Pays on Publication. Sample copy for $3.50 and guidelines for #10 SASE. All style and subject matter accepted. Buys 180 to 250 poems a year, paying $2 per line. Submit maximum of 4 poems.
The Ohio Review, 209C Ellis Hall, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701. Editor: Wayne Dodd. Triannual magazine, 40 percent freelance written. Circulation: 3,000. Unsolicited material will be read only during the school year, from September to May. No limitations. Looking for writing that is clear and lively. Buys 75 unsolicited manuscripts per year. Pays $5 a page, plus copies.
Don't forget to research publication guidelines, because they will tell you exactly what they want. Good luck! Good writing! We will be looking for you in print!
by Ted L. Glines
1 The Best of Poetry (http://groups.msn.com/TheBestofPoetry)
2 Dragon Blue's Poetry (http://groups.msn.com/DragonBluesPoetry)
3 Black Widow's Window of Poetry (http://groups.msn.com/Blackwidowswindowofpoetry)
These are three MSN literary sites which are very different from each other; they each have their own unique “personality,” but, taken as a combination, they will give you exposure that will help to establish your NAME in the writing and publishing world, like being published in this magazine. This is well worth the effort.
4 Author's Den (http://www.authorsden.com/) This Website is a MUST for serious writers. Go there. Register. Pay the small annual fee for Bronze level, and start getting yourself recognized in the world of literature. There are a number of Art With Words authors who are already interactive on Author's Den. You need to be there, too. At less than 90 days after registering, I had 5,000+ hits on my poems, stories, articles, news, and blog, and had established friendships with a number of other published writers with leads to publishers and agents. Enough said?
Publications may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of writing. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh sources:
Able Muse: http://www.ablemuse.com/ A high-quality journal of contemporary formal verse, both serious and light, with essays and reviews.
DMQ Review: http://www.dmqreview.com/ Online journal DMQ, or Disquieting Muses Quarterly, pairs lyrical poems with evocative photos and artwork. 'Poet's Bookshelf' feature interviews contemporary writers about the books that have influenced them, alongside a selection of their own work.
Entelechy: Mind & Culture: http://www.entelechyjournal.com Online literary journal publishes poetry, fiction and essays that engage psychological, philosophical, spiritual, scientific, political, mathematical, semiotic, memetic, postmodern, evolutionary, and revolutionary ideas with beauty and creativity.
For those who have a manuscript ready and are looking for a publisher, please do your research. See (http://www.freewebs.com/tedglines/publishing.htm) - an article by someone who learned the hard (heartbreak) way. You do need to read this. Give your obvious talent a chance to become a book-selling author. Marketing is the key! Also see (http://www.absolutewrite.com/) - where you can get a leg up on effective marketing.
Don't forget to research publication guidelines, because they will tell you exactly what they want. Good luck! Good writing! We will be looking for you in print!
Poetrybay and Long Island Quarterly - poetry publications for the 21st century.
An electronic journal of contemporary poetry and poetics. Includes submission guidelines, recommended book list, author archives and online issues.
A biannual print magazine for poetry that features an international poetry contest.
Online journal of original poetry. Current and past issues. Part of Slope Publishing Inc., a non-profit organization registered in the State of New Hampshire.
Semiannual journal containing 32 poems in each edition. Subscription and submission information on web site. Some poetry from journal online.
Poetry magazine that accepts submissions.
Published in print biannually with 100 pages of all styles of original poetry. Submission and subscription information, the Comstock Writers' Group, contest and a handbook for poets.
Discovering and publishing some of the best new poets in America today.
A literature webzine featuring both experienced and new writers. See the website for submission guidelines.
Promotes culture and diversity through poetry, photography and art. Available world-wide and open to submissions.
Getting Your Poems Published - September 2006
by Ted L. Glines
Are you one of those people that sit frozen in front of your keyboard, or with a pen and paper in hand, unable to commit one sentence to the page for fear of it not being any good? If the answer is yes, know that you are not alone. This, and other common anxieties associated with writing, is addressed by Brenda Ueland in her book If You Want to Write.
First published in 1938, Ueland's book reminds us that we all harbour a creative impulse within ourselves, and that we should not be afraid to use it.
We must write from the true self. She assures us that if we write about things as we see and feel them, our work will be alive, no matter how poorly structured or ungrammatical. Ueland explains that because our true self is in constant motion, we must not aim for consistency, but allow our writing (and ourselves) to grow by freely making new mistakes.
As parting advice, Ueland encourages us to keep a diary in which we write often, quickly, and recklessly. She is certain that when we read it over for the first time after a few months have passed, we will discover a document littered with insights into our personality and great writing. ~ Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write, Graywolf Press 1987.
Publications may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of writing. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh sources:Whitmore Publishing Book publisher seeking new authors No publishing fee. We pay you.
whitmorepublishing.com Manuscripts Wanted Complete manuscripts only. Get published today. Free Author Guide.
www.AuthorHouse.com Free MS Office Publisher Microsoft Office Publisher 2003. Complete Our Survey & Get It Free!
Computer-Offer.com Free Poetry Contest Free Amateur Poetry Contest $10,000 grand prize, Enter Now!
www.poetry.com MS Publisher for Students Academic Superstore has low pricing for students, teachers and schools.
www.AcademicSuperstore.com Publish Your Book Now The Publisher of Choice. We are empowering Authors
www.1stworldpublishing.com Free Publishing Guide Have your book published & available worldwide in just weeks!
www.trafford.com Publishing Guide Independent guide on finding the right publishing company for you.
www.publishing-guide.com Get A Fast Printing Quote We Can Print Your Books & Manuals to suit your needs and budget
www.eheritagepress.com/ Sell Your Book Email 300+ top book editors/agents Response in hours/big successes
www.publishersandagents.net Great writers and great orators share a thing in common. In their communications, they are speaking to some special someone. The great orators will give you miles of "rules" for structure of speeches. The great writers will push structure of prose and poetry upon you. Forget all of those structural "rules," and let your writing freely speak to some special someone. If you do this, your writing will SPEAK directly to all of your readers. Don't forget to research publication guidelines, because they will tell you exactly what they want. Good luck! Good writing! We will be looking for you in print.
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Getting Your Poems Published - June 2006
by Ted L. Glines
This topic comes from a query by Dennis Leischner, having to do with the statistical dropoff in literary reading in America. There is a marked dropoff in the percentage of people who are reading hardcopy printed books, magazines, etc. Some parts of the stats are sending mixed signals, however. Especially the Hispanic stats. We have a huge increase in the Hispanic population, but they do not know how to read English, so it looks (statististically) like the Hispanics are reading "less". On the other hand, Anglo-Americans actually are (statistically) reading less as they turn further and further into doing their reading on the Internet. And, then there are those kids like 18-year-old Kristy, who go to places like Books-a-Million twice a week and purshase 5 or 6 books (Kristy is one of my employees). It seems to me that, over the next several generations, the concept of the printed book is going to slowly phase out, along with printed magazines, as we move more and more to a print-on-demand (POD) Internet orientation, with improvements in high speed Internet and bandwidth moving us to the point where our books and magazines will be stored in our Internet "Favorites" rather than on bookshelves. I don't think that reading is dying out but our mode of reading is slowly changing. Not a huge worry for this year. Not a huge worry for our fine authors of today. But, say, fifty years from now, the very costly publishing industry will likely be working on Internet domains. Meanwhile, we will cherish and support our books and magazines in print. Poetry magazines may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of poetry. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh thoughts:http://www.theatlantic.com/a/contest.mhtml
Student Writing ContestThe Atlantic Monthly invites submissions of poetry, fiction, and personal or journalistic essays for its 2006 Student Writing Contest.
Categories
Poetry, fiction, and personal or journalistic essays.
Prizes
First $1,000 | Second: $500 | Third: $250
and one-year subscriptions to The Atlantic Monthly for seven runners-up in each category.
ENTRANTS must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited degree-granting U.S. institution. Submissions should be original, unpublished work (they may have appeared in student periodicals) demonstrating superior quality of expression and craftsmanship.
SUBMISSIONS should not exceed three poems or 7,500 words of prose. No entrant may send more than one submission per category.
MANUSCRIPTS should be typewritten (one side only, please) double-spaced, and accompanied by a cover sheet with the following information: title, category, word count, author's name, address, phone number, e-mail address (if available), and academic institution. Of this information, only the title should appear on the manuscript itself.
PLEASE PROVIDE a stamped, self-addressed postcard for acknowledgement of receipt. We cannot provide information on the status of a manuscript until winners are announced. Winners will receive notification in March.
POSTMARK SUBMISSIONS BY NOVEMBER 1, 2006, AND SEND TO:
Student Writing Contest
The Atlantic Monthly
The Watergate
600 New Hampshire Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
Submissions will not be accepted via e-mail or fax
. I wonder, when the Internet POD Publishers rule, fifty years from now, will we poets insist on our quarterly "fix" of fine poetry, like Debra gives out to us? I think we will be the holdouts, anticipating our upcoming copy of Art With Words in our mailboxes. I do not think that we poets are going to settle for the cold setting of any Website presentation, not when we are so intimately tuned to the personal touch. Don't forget to research magazine guidelines, because they will tell you exactly what they want. Good luck! Good writing! We will be looking for you in print.Getting Your Poems Published - March 2006
by Ted L. Glines
"When power leads man to arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses." ~ John F. Kennedy. "Publishing a volume of verse is like dropping a rose-petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo." ~ Donald Marquis. On the other hand, we who have heard the echo must rush to assure you that your best rose-petals are awaited by a very hungry reading audience. Poetry magazines may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of poetry. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh leads:
BookSurge Publishing. http://www.booksurgepublishing.com/publish/ov/index.php?
The publishing industry has changed. Opportunities to publish your work are no longer limited to a select few. As an emerging voice of today, publishing your book on your own terms can be a rewarding, and profitable, experience.As a wholly owned subsidiary of the world's largest book e-tailer, Amazon.com, BookSurge is a key partner for authors who, like you, choose to initiate the publishing of their work.
"Our staff are experts in publishing and marketing books, and our company is a pioneer in the self-publishing industry. BookSurge services are offered with one goal in mind: to provide you with a quality, marketable book and to arm you with a strategy to reach your full potential as an author.
"Let us know more about your vision for your book (genre, black and white or full color interior, page count, etc) and what your goals in publishing are.
"A BookSurge Publishing Consultant will contact you within 48 business hours. Download our free publishing guide."
Sentinel Science Fiction. 105 W. 1st St., Hooks, Texas 76651. "We prefer science fiction and fantasy, but we'll take any genre if it's clever and/or well written." This is for the story writers, 1000-5000 words. "We much prefer e-subs, sent to this address: (plantonelli@valornet.com). Please save your story as an .rtf file, and attach it. If we accept your story, we'll get back for some background info. We can give you exposure, and a chance to get feedback and comments from readers." Since we have established that getting published is a simple process, and I hope we have done that by now, allow me to cover one often-overlooked problem. Many publishers will publish anything you send to them, and this is especially true of the Print On Demand (POD) publishers, so, if you send them junk, they will print junk, and the only thing which suffers is your personal reputation as a writer. That said, you will be well advised to be picky about what you choose to submit to editors. Send your best works. Your readers will appreciate your attention to quality ... by buying subsequent publications which carry your name.Getting Your Poems Published - December 2005
by Ted L. Glines
"To write well consists of continuously making small erosions, wearing away grammar in its established form." ~Jose Ortega y Gassett. Allow your use of language to reflect the way you actually speak out loud. When you read your poems aloud, the lines should sound like they are spoken in your own voice, comfortable and easy on your ears. Your gentle readers should be listening to you, and not feel forced to hear a poem penned by your English teacher. Your readers will love the new, unique, melody of your words.Poetry magazines may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of poetry. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh leads:
Lunatic Chameleon. http://www.lunaticchameleon.com/ Nancy Purnell, P.O. Box 506, Tolland CT 06084-0506.
Poetry -- prefer 30 lines or less [not fond of rhyming poems]. Fiction -- will consider short fiction -- preferably 2k & under. Artwork -- anything "dark", sci-fi, surreal, abstract, etc. ... prefer artwork sent e-mail, but will consider snail-mail. Send your chameleons! Do check the Website for guidelines and samples. PoetryMagazine.com. http://poetrymagazine.com/poetry.htm Send the following: your full name, e-mail addy, your country, poem title, your poem, and copyright date, to mailto:submissions@PoetryMagazine.com. See Submissions page on Website. Do check the Website for guidelines and samples. The American Poetry Review. "Premier forum for contemporary poetry, since 1972. Send up to 4 poems, any length; pays $1/line. Also, runs literary criticism, interviews, essays, social commentary. Bimonthly. $3.95. Circ.: 17,000. Tip: Do not send mss by fax or e-mail. Queries: Not necessary. E-queries: No. Unsolicited mss: Yes. Submission formats: Hard copy. Response: 8-10 weeks. Kill fee: No. Rights: FNASR. Payment: On publication. Contact: 117 S. 17th St., Ste. 910, Philadelphia, PA 19103. 215-496-0439." Please note that this one PAYS for your poems! Writing.Com. http://writing.com/ This site is less about getting published than it is about getting help with perfecting your writing so that your works will be polished enough for placement in the publishing world. You will register for your own portfolio where your works will be reviewed and rated. You will receive comments and suggestions for improvement, and you may rotate your works at will. You will also have the opportunity to review the works of other writers. And it is FREE! Is it truly easy to get published? You bet it is. And the very best example comes out of what I do to find the right publishers for this column. I personally test each and every one of them by submitting one or more poems to them. Then I wait. If there is no response, or a rude response, they do not get into this column. That is simple. But, in most cases, they have accepted one or more of my poems for publication. Hmm. Your turn!Don't forget to research magazine guidelines, because they will tell you exactly what they want. Good luck! Good writing! We will be looking for you in print.
Getting Your Poems Published - September 2005
by Ted L. Glines
Read as much as you can. Write from your own knowledge and write about the things that move you, and write like you are talking to a friend. Express your thoughts clearly and in language which may be easily understood by an 8th grade reader. Beyond that, send your poems out to all those editors who are hungry to fill the pages of their upcoming magazines. There are tons of magazines and Internet publishing sites. Check their guidelines and send the stuff that fits. You will be published if you do this.
Poetry magazines may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of poetry. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh leads:
Black Widow's Web of Poetry.http://groups.msn.com/BlackWidowsWebOfPoetryMagazine ATTN J. Margiotta, 87788 Blek Drive, Veneta, OR 97487. "Giving all writers and artists a doorway to expression filled with imagery and life - creating perfection just as the masters before us." Send SASE and up to 5 poems. Published three times per year. Featuring quality poetry from new and established writers. Do check the Website for guidelines and samples.
Bewildering Stories. http://www.bewilderingstories.com/ "In general, our scheduling priorities are poetry, short stories, serials, articles, interviews, review articles, reviews, guest editorials and essays. Any author may contribute more than once to the same issue." Do check the Website for guidelines and samples.
Descending Darkness. http://www.descendingdarkness1.com/Submissions.html "New authors are welcome. We accept poetry, and short stories. We are primarily a dark web site. Put your name, email address, and word count in the upper right hand corner of the first page of your story, or poem. We will also look at reprints, as long as you tell me in your submission page that it's a reprint, and who originally published it. Please allow us 1 month to reply. Do not send a query letter until 1 month has elapsed." Do check the Website for guidelines and samples.
Sentinel Poetry. http://www.sentinelpoetry.org.uk/magazine/page4.html Send up to 6 poems of no more than 60 lines each, or a longer poem up to 120 lines plus 2 short poems. Poems may be in any style, or theme. Poems should generally have been previously unpublished. Poems posted in web forums for purposes of critique are not deemed to have been previously published. Please submit a short bio of yourself, up to ten lines--name, location, awards (if any), recent/forthcoming publications. Do check the Website for guidelines and samples.
What's in a title? Sometimes everything. "Untitled" never got any attention. If a title sparks the editor's interest, he/she will likely read your poem, and that is the single most important step toward getting published (except for mailing the poem to the editor in the first place!). Stay true to the body content of your poem, but do take the time to invent a dramatic and eyecatching title. This will pay off for you, big time!
Don't forget to research magazine guidelines, because they will tell you exactly what they want. Good luck! Good writing! We will be looking for you in print.
Getting Your Poems Published - June 2005
by Ted L. Glines
Somewhere there is a poetry magazine where the editor is just now beginning to search for new poems, new talent, to fill the next issue. The postman comes and goes, and brought nothing new. The editor sighs. Tomorrow is another day, and maybe the postman will bring something (from you?). Getting your poems published is not difficult, but first you must put them in the hands of a waiting editor. We hope this column will help.
Poetry magazines may have line limitations or may be looking for specific types and styles of poetry. Poems should be sent one-to-a-page, and your name, address, phone number, and email address should be on each page. Including a brief bio is always appropriate. Include a SASE if you wish your poems returned. Here are a few fresh leads:
Pudding House Publications. http://www.puddinghouse.com/ 81 Shadymere Lane, Columbus, Ohio, 43213. (614) 986-1881. Send SASE and 3-10 poems. Especially interested in poems of place, the pop culture, social justice, and human service, poems that name the people and events of our times. Do check the Website for samples.
Dream Catcher. http://www.dreamcatcher-arts.co.uk Flat 1, 25 Cross O Cliff Hill, Lincoln, LN5 8PR, UK. "We welcome a vast range of submissions from well known and unknown authors." Do check the Website for samples.
Ambit. 17 Priory Gardens, London, N6 5QY, UK. Send SASE and about 5 poems. May take several months for reply.
Leanin' Tree. (GREETING VERSE MARKET). Leanin' Tree Art Review Committee, Leanin' Tree Inc., PO Box 9500, 6055 Longbow Drive, Boulder, Colorado, 80301. All holiday and special greetings. Each verse on 3x5 index card, up to 12 per submission. Name, address, phone number on the back of each card. Give each verse a unique reference number and include it on the card. Allow 6 months for review. Standard compensation for each verse used is $100 to be paid on or before publication. Be original and creative.
All over this country and around the world there are scads of poetry magazines, most of them produced, compiled, and edited by someone who loves poetic artistry enough to sponsor the best in new talent, and each one of them is looking high and low to find the talent to fill the pages of their next issue. And you are the talent they are looking for. Yes, you! So, batch up a few of your poems and start sending them out, and you will be surprised at how quickly your work will be published. Don't forget to research magazine guidelines, because they will tell you exactly what they want. Good luck! Good writing! We will be looking for you in print.
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Publishing
by Ted L Glines
"It’s hard to find a publisher for my poems," an often-heard complaint from new authors, is simply not true. There are tons of magazines (print and online) whose existence is determined by you submitting your poems to them.
The end/beginning of a magazine publishing cycle goes like this. The last issue is completed, in print, and circulated. The coming issue is one huge blank bunch of pages. Art With Words, for example, runs close to one hundred pages and is published quarterly. At the beginning of its publishing cycle, its editor is confronting one hundred blank pages, and this emptiness is daunting. Like most poetry magazines, Art With Words has a "stable" of long-time consistent authors, but these are not enough to fill so many pages. New authors are constantly sought.
Magazines either flourish or die according to whether or not they receive a constant input of new poems. Many great magazines have disappeared due to simple lack of input from poets just like you. You are the lifeblood of their continued existence. Your poems left to gather dust on your desk or hard drive are desperately needed by scads of magazine editors who are seeking new talent. Getting a poem published is easier than it was to write the original poem.
How easy? In the process of doing one ongoing magazine column which lists new markets for poems, I test each one of the listed markets. My test is very simple. I read their guidelines for poem submission and I submit one or two poems to them. What I am looking for is to see if they will respond. If they fail to respond, they do not get listed in my column. The response can be whatever they feel is right, just so long as they do respond. But, in many cases, their response has been to accept my poem for publication. They do not know they are being tested. All they know is that they have received a poem from some new author. You may expect the same results.
Magazines are more than anxious to publish your poems. Each one in the articles above has been tested. They each have their own submission guidelines. Follow the directions and you will be in print before you know it. So, what are you waiting for?