Poetry: Write It & Get Paid, Read It & Get Enchanted, Analyze It (Or Not)

August 23, 2018August 31, 2018 / Sasha A. Palmer / 1 Comment

"A Montrouge"âRosa La Rouge

You cannot make money writing poetry, can you?

Erica Verrillo has compiled a list of “twenty noteworthy publications that pay in the professional range for poetry. Most of these also accept fiction and creative nonfiction, and many are more than happy to nominate accepted poems for prizes.”

What’s the point of reading a poem?

‘The point of reading a poem is not to try to “solve” it. Still, that quantifiable process of demystification is precisely what teachers are encouraged to teach students, often in lieu of curating a powerful experience through literature.’ (Andrew Simmons, The Atlantic, 2014)

Here’s more on how to read poetry: “curious wonder” vs. “critical judgement.”

Image: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. “A Montrouge”–Rosa La Rouge, 1886–1887. Oil on canvas, Overall: 28 3/8 x 19 1/8 in. (72.1 x 48.6 cm). BF263. Public Domain.

To Pay, or Not To Pay; or the Pros & Cons of Submission Fees in Poetry (& Other Kinds of) Publishing

January 18, 2018January 11, 2018 / Sasha A. Palmer / 2 Comments

Child Reading (Enfant lisant)

Rachel Mennies refuses “to make a capitalist argument for poetry on behalf of poet, press, or journal.” Although acknowledging the reasons behind poetry submission fees, she’s not a fan of pay-to-play markets.

Tucker Cummings acknowledges drawbacks of fees, but insists that “many pay-to-play markets are absolutely worth considering.”

What’s your take on submission fees? Do you keep track of what you spend on submissions? Are you planning to pay-to-play in 2018? Share in the comments.

In case you’re leaning toward fee-free options, Erica Verrillo regularly posts lists of free contests, as well as lists of paying markets, for all genres.

Image credit: Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Child Reading (Enfant lisant), early 1890s. Oil on canvas, Overall: 12 13/16 x 16 1/4 in. (32.6 x 41.3 cm). BF51. Public Domain.