Gillian writes:
>
>
On the point that our culture saturates us with words, I recall someone on
this list [an editor, I think] saying that they commonly read 50 or so poems
a day from works submitted. What poet would choose to be read in that
context?
>
>
And yet we have to, if we want to be read in any context other than our
immediate family and friends. I don't blame the editors, because they have
no choice but to work that way, but getting one to accept your work for a
book can be an agonizingly difficult business. I sent my stuff out at least
once to every editor in the UK and Ireland, several times to many, before
being accepted - ironically by my first choice. The process took years,
despite the fact that I ignored the usual advice and sent to several
publishers at once. (What was the chance I'd get accepted by two
simultaneously? If I'd waited three to six months for the MS to come back
every time, I'd have died before being accepted.) I know good poets who just
can't get across that final threshold, and who are in despair as a result.
Why do we care? After all, being published isn't going to make most people
rich or famous. I know some genuinely don't, and I greatly admire them for
it. But I did, and I think most serious poets do.
Best wishes,
Matthew
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|