I'm a Poet and I've Been Rejected!

The last time I published any of my poems was about 15 years ago. For reasons still unclear to me, after several acceptances of both poetry and short fiction, I just stopped submitting and then stopped writing completely about 1993 or 1994. I started writing again about 3 years ago, and got serious about it again. After a couple of years of filling notebooks and journals, I was accepted at the summer writing program at Sarah Lawrence College and spent a glorious week there in June studying with Thomas Lux and other poets. I was able to workshop a whole bunch of poems while there, and begin several more.

So about 3 weeks ago I actually decided to begin submissions again, and I sent out 40 poems into the insular and unreal world of small literary journals.

And yesterday I received my first rejection slip!!! :woohoo:

This means somebody actually read my poems! And it wasn't a friend or family member! :9

and the rejection came from the editor with a hand-signed note, which means the poems got past the first level of snobby undergraduate intern readers. :9

So today the rejected poems went back in an envelope and hit the mail again to another little magazine. I figure if I keep them in the mail eventually someone will accept them...

:D

RL

It's only a matter of time before someone discovers your yummy goodness...oh wait...well, you know what I mean.

;)

:yourock:

:rofl:

:hug:

:loveya:

RL

maybe this time :)

So hopefully, yeah...

:hi:

RL

Seriously; I hope you do get something published. And you HAVE to let us know when you do!

My favorite one was a stickynote stuck to the poems with 3 words had written.

"Don't think So..."

:rofl:

RL

and that poem got accepted elsewhere...

RL

Enjoy!

:hi:

RL

A form letter with hand signatures...

:shrug:

But it's a start.

RL

I'm so happy for you. :hug: :loveya:

Making it past the snotty intern readers is definitely a good thing. I don't think I've ever managed that yet, but then again, I also haven't submitted very much yet.

and it needs to get out there and be published...

:loveya:

RL

I think I just need a little while longer to work on developing my skills. Then, we shall see.

In the meantime, you have a devoted cheerleader here. Knock 'em all dead! :hi: :loveya: :hug:

I'm finding that's where the real work happens. The poem comes out in the first draft, the instinct is there, the basic theme and idea.

But then, revise, revise, revise, and sometimes the poem ends up nothing like the original draft.

and usually much shorter, sharper in focus, and clearer.

Not sure who said it, but I headr it at SLC this summer: A good poet is willing to delete a good line. A great poet is willing to delete a great line...

:hi:

RL

I am the worst at revising. That is what I intend to work on the most during my 313 class with James Harms next semester! I had forgotten to tell you about that particular piece of Awesome News!

:woohoo:

:woohoo:

That will be a fantastic class!!!

RL

Unlike the person teaching it *this* semester, Jim focuses him class almost 100% on workshopping student poems. Plus, he's incredibly talented. He has a new book out, too! It's called "After West"--it's well worth getting, if you can find it. :hi:

Found it on Amazon...

:hi:

RL

Good for you!

For your whole story...

I'm positive some great little magazine will accept your poetry, and then there will be good times for you!

:yourock:

It'll be cool, yes, but nothing will change in the big picture.

Just a few more credits for the resume, I guess.

:hi:

RL

What a great attitude! I'm glad you going to keep writing and trying, you'll do well I'm sure!

:hi:

RL

Good luck. I used to wallpaper my living space with my rejection slips.

I had all the rejection slips on the wall above my writing desk, along with printed out motivational stuff...

I used to print out quotes I found in my readings and pin them on the same wall...

:hi:

RL

:bounce:

Start papering the walls with them. YOU HAVE ARRIVED!!!

:)

:hi:

RL

I submitted poetry for publication many years ago. I spent a fair amount of time studying the small-publisher markets, made my selections, and mailed out my best work. Of course I was delighted whenever one on my poems was published and I get satisfaction in seeing the section of my bookcase that contains magazines I got published in.

For every poem I got published I probably had 3 or 4 rejections. I saved those rejection notices, some of which include notes from editors explaining why they didn't like my poems, and I still enjoy getting the out and reading them from time to time.

I don't write much these days but suspect I will get back to it one of these days, and although I am not currently writing poetry I read it almost every day. Poetry is, imo, the best medium for creative expression.

Keep writing and sending those poems out, it's so satisfying to be published and know others are reading your work.

:toast:

Is there one?

Does UW have a lit mag?

:toast:

RL

We have a fair number of readings going on around town and Madison hosted the Natl. Poetry Slam for high-school students this year. (My son took 1st place in the local competition several years ago and got to compete at the natl. slam in L.A) The UW is home to the Madison Review lit mag. We're also close enough to Milwaukee and Chicago to share events with poets in those cities from time to time.

I'll have to check out the Mad Review.

I kind of avoid open mikes because it's all slam stuff...

RL

:)

:hi:

RL

and we have to submit at least one thing by the end of the semester. I'm not sure what I'll submit, probably a short story. I hope I get an actual response if it gets rejected though. :)

Is it a workshop?

RL

so it's almost like a series of workshops. :P

:9

RL

I've got the character and setting, but no conflict. Nothing happening. D'oh. Hate it when that happens. :P

A stranger comes to town.

Or someone leaves town.

:D

You're welcome...

RL

D'oh. :P

I'll figure something out eventually. I've got a whole day before it's due.

metaphorically speaking...

(no town needed)

Hell, a whole day? You can write a novella in a day...

RL

We had to tell a story that took place in a set amount of time, the time it to to do XXXX. In my case, I chose the time it took to cook dinner. Which still leaves the ability to tell a story in flashbacks, mixed in with the pondering the main character is doing during that time. I think I know what flashbacks I'm gonna put in though. :)

The smell of food can trigger flashbacks...

:hi:

RL

and it'll use that as a medium to show the ex leaving. So yeah, somebody will be leaving. :P I'm still not sure how I'm gonna end the story though. It's not gonna have a happy "I'm turning my life around right now" ending, but I need SOMETHING.

Ah well, I have until 6pm tonight to figure it out.

I worked in parallels. Smell of food, meeting her for the first time at a restaurant. Grains of dirt or piles of dishes adding up to a mess, small problems adding up to big ones in the relationship, ect. Posted it here.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8179327

and your conflict happens when something or someone tries to keep him or her from getting it. Go!

Seriously, I teach creative writing. At night. Adult & Continuing Education. I have four students. So I know what I'm talking about. :P

but he couldn't have it right then. But it didn't make for a long enough story. I ended up with a good short short story instead of a good short story. :)

Or even a short short short one. :)

Ah well. C'est la guerre.

Either fear of not getting something you want.

or fear of losing someting you already had.

:hi:

RL

:hi:

RL

Good luck, man. Persistence pays off. It can take years, but if you know what you want, you can get it.

Yeah, I'm going to be persistant, if nothing else.

The rejection came back yesterday and hit the mail to another mag today...

RL

You know that, and one day, they'll know that.

:hi:

RL

Personally, the idea scares me to death. :scared:

rejected poetry is small potatoes...

:hi:

RL

and all other busy poets!


:thumbsup:



Hell you could start your own poetry journal, though, and name it after your bookstore, ala CIty Lights!

Many years ago I was the Poetry Editor at the Cream City Review. Started doing layout work, then copy edited, then was assistant Poetry Editor before becoming the editor.

Like I have time.. :D

:hi:

RL

yeah, I remember now that you noted you were a poetry editor before. Cool.


Well, keep on writing! I really like this local Pittsburgh poet - Jan Beatty. Very nice form and content.

:rofl:

That's what I tell miss pie about all these damn Pitt poets... :D

Red Sugar is pretty damn good... as is Boneshaker...

:hi:

RL

over the years. She does good interviews - and she read from Red Sugar on the show, not too long after it came out. Impressive and earthy. I need to order some of her chapbooks, etc.


Plus I love her voice.

:hi:

RL

it was silly, really.

Probably sold a few more books

RL

Writing and Publishing are two different games.

I'm glad to hear you're back in both.

:applause:

:hi:

RL

sorry.

Keep sawing wood. You'll get there.

in fact, got my second rejection today.

:rofl:

Their loss.

:D

RL

to the accept-or-reject piles. We got to comment on the snobby grad students/snobby professor's selections/rejections and that was it. So...maybe your poems weren't subjected to undergraduate cluelessness, who knows.

and the ones I liked, I passed upstream.

and I was snobby as hell :9

:hi:

RL

articles, and I also am getting back into it after a long vacation.
The type of rejection you got is about the best there is - keep it up, and you will be in print very soon.

I am envious, and not that far along yet.
All the best. Enjoy.

mark

:hi:

RL

:D

RL

That really sux.........:hi: :hug:

:rofl:

:hi:

RL

Persistence is your friend in this case!

:hi:

RL

Although I guess I know better. I wrote something the other day and it HAD to be printed out. I even asked for extra-bright-white, top quality paper, to make the graphics stand out better.

Good luck.

some place are exclusively online now.

I like the old fashioned way.

RL

I've been slooooooowly sending short stories out, and it is kind of a weird kick to get the rejection slips. (Progress is being made!)

:hi:

:hi:

RL

Your poems will be accepted.

:loveya:

:loveya:

RL

It may shake you up but, it won't keep you from arriving at your destination.

"Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel."

:hug:

:hug:

RL