Sunday’s Second Post.
The good thing about one of the acceptances I had earlier in the month was the nine rejections. I think I’ve explained before that editors generally want a batch of ten tanka, and normally only select one. I have had more selected sometimes, but it always seems greedy when you are taking a space someone else would be happy to use. The nine returns were recycled – one being removed. Two were then added to the batch, which was sent out and, shortly after, provided the next acceptance (which was one of the ones that had been rejected by the previous editor). The second editor also named several they would like to see again in a few months if they are still available. They will be, because it seems good thing to do. That means I have to wite four more to add to the batch and it can be my next submission.
In a similar vein, I have just received news of a Haibun acceptance. It’s the third time this particular Haibun has been out and it’s another slow burner as it seems to have been round for years. I worked on it for about a year and kept it back for a competition entry. It disappeared without trace, as most of my competition entries do, but I sent it out a couple more times and it has found a home. Sorry if this makes it sound like an adorable homeless kitten, but I do get attached to some of my poems.
In the past i have managed to place poems which have been turned down by as many as four editors, sometimes without even making changes. Once I even had one accepted within days of it being returned. And, in case you should think I am boasting, sometimes I haven’t. Sometimes I’ve had something returned two or three times, lost faith in it and allowed it to fade away.
I’ve read blogs by other poets who say they had things accepted after a dozen refusals, or that they are still trying years after they wrote something. I don’t have that level of confidence or fortitude. Or, to be honest, organisation.
Meanwhile, the fruit pictures are part of our harvest. The plums are doing well, the blackberries ditto, and the tomatoes are just coming into their own. We really must get a greenhouse when we move. The figs are a gift – not sure about the variety, but they aren’t Brown Turkey like the last lot. They are very sweet and so ripe you can just suck the contents out. Photos are via Julia’s phone.
Well done for the successful persistence. And the fruit harvest. Our daughter brought up one of her figs. It was delicious.
Congratulations on the haibun acceptance, Simon!
The figs look good. I would definitely get a greenhouse when you move.
🙂 Thank you.
I so admire your persistence. And all that fruit! Late summer treasures.
The figs are worth the effort Laurie! 🙂
I love lack of publication on lack of organization
😉 I’m going to smile and pretend that I understand this. I sort of do. Did you run two thoughts into one? 🙂
I meant, badly worded I add, that you aren’t organized enough to find older things to try and have published
🙂 Yes, I must do that. Fortunately I can still find most of my stuff stored in emails. 🙂
It seems resilience is required for publication. Well done
I have frequently used resilience and persistence in place of talent. 🙂
You downplay your talent, my friend
Possibly. I don’t want to make the mistake of talking big and failing to deliver – like so many od our sports teams. 🙂
🙂