I've been editing poetry anthologies for some time now. Based on my experiences and those of some of my fellow editors, I've complied a list of amazingly simple things people can do to improve their chances of having their poems published.
I realize that each publisher and each editor has different preferences when it comes to submission dos and don'ts and don'ts. However, there are some (almost) universal maxims that can help make your submission more appealing editors.
I realize that each publisher and each editor has different preferences when it comes to submission dos and don'ts and don'ts. However, there are some (almost) universal maxims that can help make your submission more appealing editors.
 | 1. Follow Directions! |
Most people have the importance of following directions drilled into them from a very early age, and with good reason. Many editors will outright reject submissions that don't follow their guidelines. In fact, a large number of poems are rejected not because they are bad, but because they do not follow the publication's submission guidelines. These guidelines exist for a reason. Read them carefully!
If the guidelines require you to use a submission form, use it. If they require the submission sent as an attached as a .pdf file only, send them a .pdf. If the publication you are submitting to is looking for birthday themed acrostic poetry, do not send them a sonnet about a funeral. This has to be both the easiest and most important tip to follow.
If you have a technological or geographical restriction, maybe an inability to save the file in the requested format or paste the piece into the body of the e-mail, it's better to ask the editor or publisher how to proceed.
Not following the submission guidelines says nothing but bad things: 1. You didn't read the guidelines at all. You sent out a blast submission e-mail and don't know anything about the publication nor do you care about it, 2. You read and disregarded the directions for some strange reason, or 3. You made an honest mistake. It happens from everyone from time to time, but that's why you should:
(To Be Continued)...
Check back each day this week for a new tip.
-Nick Hale
If the guidelines require you to use a submission form, use it. If they require the submission sent as an attached as a .pdf file only, send them a .pdf. If the publication you are submitting to is looking for birthday themed acrostic poetry, do not send them a sonnet about a funeral. This has to be both the easiest and most important tip to follow.
If you have a technological or geographical restriction, maybe an inability to save the file in the requested format or paste the piece into the body of the e-mail, it's better to ask the editor or publisher how to proceed.
Not following the submission guidelines says nothing but bad things: 1. You didn't read the guidelines at all. You sent out a blast submission e-mail and don't know anything about the publication nor do you care about it, 2. You read and disregarded the directions for some strange reason, or 3. You made an honest mistake. It happens from everyone from time to time, but that's why you should:
(To Be Continued)...
Check back each day this week for a new tip.
-Nick Hale
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