I have a poem that has accumulated between 20-30 rejections. With another poem, I might have given up long ago, but this one's a pet, and more Segugio Italiano than lap dog. I've never gotten a word of encouragement on it, even as editors have accepted other poems from the submission litters it's mingled in. Considering the record, I've given the poem plenty of second, third and fourth thoughts, but continue to send this one out to much underwhelmment. I figure once I've sent it to the 72 journals I have in mind, the editors from the first rounds will have passed away and I can start over again.
Or maybe I'll change the title to something a la Stevens, like "Inchoate Hoisery" or "The Calm Embalmed in Oriental Foil."
Friday, August 31, 2007
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9 comments:
You have some energy, Sarah!
I doubt I have even made 72 submissions since I started writing poetry years ago (I mean, I haven't submitted as many as 72 batches. That said, I've probably published more than 72 poems, although I suspect not many more). And I doubt I've ever submitted the same poem to more than about four journals.
Probably I give up too easily. Good luck with future attempts. I hope an editor takes to your poem eventually.
Hi Rob -
The 72 was tongue in cheek. smile.
When/if this poem ever gets accepted somewhere, I plan to have a party for it. Really.
why not publish it yourself in this blog? just curious
Publish it here and then have the party! :-)
Of course now I have to know which one it is Sarah. Will you tell me? Have I seen it?
johanna
The poem is still out a couple places. When it get rejected all-round again, i might post it here. johanna - i sent it to you.
That's the spirit! I intend to put this post on my classroom wall under the "Rejection!" banner where we'll display our rejection letters. (With your permission, of course!) Thank you for the inspiration.
Be my guest, Peter.
I have a large collection of rejection letters.
Found you via Slow Reads... I like this post, I've had similar feelings about a couple of my oft-rejected poems. I think it's necessary that we fall in love with some of our own work - like loving the weirdness in our friends/children - our writing needs all the encouragement it can get if it's not going to lose heart ;) Good to meet you...
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