SUBMITTING AND MARKETING YOUR POETRY

THE HARDEST PART: TAKING THE PLUNGE

You’ve written your best poetry and now you’re ready for the next logical step—getting published.  However, getting your
poetry published is not easy.  Just like writing poetry, certain skills and techniques are required.  While your poem is the most
important part of the submission process, without knowing what editors expect in a submission, you decrease your chances of
having your work read, let alone published.

Imagine this scenario: Two high school students are vying for a full scholarship to the college of their choice.  There is only
one scholarship remaining.  All things are equal between the two students except that one student has a 4.0 grade point
average, and the other student has a 3.9 grade point average.  Who is more likely to get the scholarship?

Simple.  In all likelihood, the student with the 4.0 grade point average will get the scholarship.

Let’s change the scenario: The editor for the magazine The New Yorker has a thousand submissions sitting on his desk.  He
only needs one poem to complete the poetry section of the next issue.  Whose poem will he choose?

Here the answer is simple to the editor, but not so simple to the person submitting the poem.  You need to ask yourself some
questions:

  1. First and foremost, does the publication print poetry?
  2. If so, what type of poetry do they publish (genre, rhyme, free verse)?
  3. How often does the publication publish their magazine (bi-annually, quarterly, monthly, etc.)?
  4. Does the publication publish novice poets or only established poets?
  5. How many poems per submission are allowed?
  6. Does the publication require a certain form of poetry (sonnet, villanelle, etc.)?
  7. Is the publication looking for a certain theme (spring, winter, romance, war, etc.)?
  8. What is the form of payment if your poem is selected (monetary, copies of the publication, only for your recognition)?

Before you send your work to anyone, you should research the publication to which you are submitting.  The best way to
become familiar with any publication is to buy a copy of that publication.  Read the poetry presented, and submit a poem that is
consistent to what you have read in that publication.  I stress, this is the best way to get started on submitting your work.

FINDING THE RIGHT PUBLISHER

It is a good idea to invest in a book like Writer’s Digest Poet’s Digest, or in a subscription to Poets and Writers magazine.  
These resources contain lists of many domestic and foreign poetry journals and magazines, as well as plenty of advice on how
to get published—some from editors themselves.  You can find rules of submission for each publication, and some books will
often comment on what type of poetry individual publishers tend to like.

When submitting for the first time, it is best to start small.  Larger or more prestigious literary journals are less likely to give
your poetry a chance than smaller publications.  College and university literary magazines and local newspapers or journals are
excellent places to start.  You will more than likely be paid in copies of the publication, not in cash, but the exposure and
experience are priceless.

The Internet is also an excellent starting point for new poets.  With the proliferation of “e-zines” and other web publications, it
is easier to get published on the Internet than on paper, as the low cost of web publishing allows many quality online
publications to have a higher acceptance rate than do print publications.  In addition, having a poem featured online will expose
your work to a larger audience.

The point is to get published wherever you can.  The more often you are published, the more you build your publishing
credits.  As your publishing credits grow, so do your chances of seeing your work printed in a larger publication.

FORMAT

Submitting your poetry for publication is like submitting a resume for a job—if your manuscript is not neat, organized, and in
the correct format, your poem could go right from the editor’s desk to the trashcan.  The manuscript guidelines below refer to
a standard for most publications.  Certain publishers may ask you to deviate from these guidelines; thus, if you are at all unclear
about a publisher’s preferred manuscript format, it is best to contact the publisher for more information.  While quality is
ultimately the deciding factor when an editor considers your poetry for publication, proper appearance will assure that your
work will be read in the first place.  The following guidelines for both submissions and cover letters are based upon the format
in the 2006 edition of the Writer’s Digest’s Poet’s Market.

  • Type one poem per page.  The poem should be single-spaced, with double spacing between stanzas.  Leave at least a
    one-inch margin on all sides of the paper.  Never hand write your submission.

  • Standard typing or computer paper is preferable for submissions.  Stay away from paper that is thin and easily torn or
    that is too fancy.  Using paper printed on ornate designs can mark you as a novice.  Let your poetry stand on its own;
    use plain, white paper.

  • Your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address should be typed in the upper right or upper left corner of
    each page of your manuscript.

  • The title of your poem should be placed six lines below your address, centered or flush left, in all capitals or with initial
    capital letters.  Place one blank line between the title and the poem.

  • If your poem runs over to a second sheet, put your name in the upper left corner.  Below your name include a key word
    from the poem’s title, the page number, and information about whether the new page continues the same stanza from
    the previous page or starts a new stanza (i.e., “continue stanza” “new stanza”).

  • Unless the publisher indicates otherwise, you should send no more than three to five poems at a time.  This should
    provide a good sample of your work without inundating the publisher with more of your poetry than can be read in one
    sitting.

  • Before you fold up your masterpiece and stuff it in an envelope, proofread.

  • If possible, have someone else look over your work.  It is easy to overlook small mistakes when you are so familiar
    with the words.

  • Always keep a copy of your work.  Never send the original copy or sole copy of your work to a publisher.

  • If you would like a response to your submission, include a business-size SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope).  If
    you would like your submission returned, include a large enough envelope with sufficient postage.  Always review the
    submission guidelines, as most publishers will not return submissions unless you request that they do so.  However, if
    you do not want the publisher to return your submission, you should still mention this in your letter.

  • When sending in an electronic submission, include a printed copy of your manuscript along with any disk.  When e-
    mailing a submission, include your manuscript in the body of the message, rather than as an attachment.  Note: Not all
    publishers accept electronic submissions.  Check each publication’s submission guidelines before submitting via e-mail,
    fax , or disk.

The Cover Letter

While a cover letter is not always mandatory, it is still a good way to present yourself and your work to an editor.  Use a
business letter format and proofread carefully.  Your letter should be no more than one page.  If possible, directly address the
editor who handles submissions.  If the editor’s name is not listed in the directory where you found the publication’s address,
check the masthead or submission guidelines.  It is acceptable to call the offices of a publication to acquire this type of
information.  Addressing the letter to “Poetry Editor” is an acceptable last resort.

Include the following information in your letter:

  • Mention the titles of the works you are submitting.  If any of the works has been published before, note where and
    when the work appeared.

  • List recent publication credits, if you have any, but no more than five.  If you have never been published, you may
    choose to note that in your letter.  You can also choose not to mention your status as published or unpublished;
    however, if you do have publication credits, it is usually to your benefit to mention them.

  • If the editor or submission guidelines indicate that you do so, you should include brief biographical information.

THE RULES

Before submitting your work, you should first review the publisher’s rules or guidelines regarding submissions.  Knowing and
understanding these rules may help you decide to which publications to submit.  Moreover, not knowing the rules and
inadvertently breaking them can affect an editor’s decision about publishing your poem.  It is not uncommon for an editor to
disqualify a poem from a poetry contest or refuse it for publication because it does not follow the rules.  Before submitting
your work, you should keep in mind the following.

  • Ask yourself a few questions before submitting:

            1. Is there a limit to the number of poems or line of poetry I can submit?
            2. Are certain topics taboo?
            3. Are certain topics encouraged?
            4. Is there a submission deadline?

  • Rather than sending the same poem to different publications, you may want to send different groups of poems to each
    publication.  Submitting a poem to various publications at the same time does not necessarily increase your chances of
    being published.  Many publishers will not accept work that has been simultaneously submitted elsewhere—they want to
    be the first to publish your work.  Check the submission guidelines for each publication to find out if simultaneously
    submissions are acceptable.

  • If you do opt to simultaneously submit your work, make note of it in your cover letter.  If it is accepted by a
    publication, you must immediately contact all other publications to which you have submitted the same work and
    withdraw your submission.  NOTE: This will likely be very bothersome to editors, possibly making unwelcome any of
    your future submissions to those publications.

  • Some publications will not accept a poem that has already been published in another journal or anthology.  However, if
    you do submit a previously published poem, make note of it in your cover letter.  Make sure to include where and when
    the poem was published.  Also, make sure that you have the publishing rights to your previously published works, or
    that you have gotten permission from the previous publisher for republication.

  • Certain publications only accept work by established or well-known poets.  Thankfully, just as many publications
    welcome, even encourage, submissions by new poets.  Be sure to choose a publication that “fits” your poetry and your
    level of experience as a published, or an as-yet-to-be-published, poet.

  • If you are submitting online, carefully read and follow the web site’s submission policies.  It is just as important to abide
    by proper submission procedures and etiquette when submitting electronically as it is when submitting on paper.

ACTIVITY

Research two of the following: journals, newspapers, anthologies, or web sites, which pique your interest.  What are the
publishers’ policies concerning submissions?  Were there any differences in the two publications’ rules?  Document your
research in a brief essay of two to three pages.

BIG MISTAKES

While no proven methods guarantee that your poetry will be published, there are proven ways to annoy, upset, and anger
editors, assuring that your poetry will not be published.  The mistakes outlined below violate basic rules of submission
etiquette.  No matter how excited, nervous, or impatient you are, you should never trouble an editor and make yourself look
foolish by committing any of these no-no’s.

  • Do not call an editor to inquire about the status of your submitted work.  If you would like a publisher to respond to
    your submission, send a SASE.  The editors will let you know whether or not you will be published as soon as they
    can.  If you have entered your poetry in a contest, find out when the winners will be notified of posted, then wait.  Poet’
    s Market suggests keeping a record of where and when you submitted your poetry by using a series of index cards
    arranged in alphabetically by poem title.  List the pertinent submission information on each card.  If you prefer, keeping
    a disk or computer file with the same information may be more convenient.  Either way, this method of organization
    may help allay some of your nervousness and impatience.

  • Do not include a copyright notice or mention your wish to retain the copyright to your poem.  You may insult the editor
    and mark yourself as a novice.  Most publications allow the poet to retain all rights anyway.

  • Do not use your cover letter for anything else but to introduce yourself and let your poem speak for itself.  Don’t
    praise, explain, or interpret your poem!

  • Do not send extraneous material, like photographs, drawings, and lengthy biographies.

  • Do not use fancy paper.  Unless, the publication asks for it.

COPYRIGHT

I you have questions or concerns or want to copyright your work, write to:

     U.S. Copyright Office
     Library of Congress
     101 Independence Ave S.E.
     Washington, D.C. 20559-6000

     Or phone: 202-707-3000

Information is also available at http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright

THE END RESULT

There are only two outcomes: publication or rejection.  If you’re published, congratulations!  Celebrate, and tell everyone.  
However, do not become complacent about your writing.  Writing is like a sport.  If you don’t keep in shape, practice, and
train like you’re suppose to, you will diminish both your strength and your skill.

If you’ve been rejected, which will probably happen more times than not, don’t quit.  Even great poets like Emily Dickinson,
Robert frost, and others, have had their share of rejections.  It does not mean you’re a bad poet.  The editor may have been
looking for something else and was forced to reject your poem based on the immediate need of the publication.  Every rejection
should make you more determined to get published.  You’ll be a better poet for it.


END OF POETRY COURSE
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CHAPTER NINE