The Science of Submissions

 

For years, I used to have enough poetry available to make my submissions in the first week of a submission window opening – which generally means the first week of the month, sometimes the first day. My thoughts were three-fold.

It’s good, if possible to be ready in plenty of time, as it keeps things relaxed. I like being relaxed, and am trying to get back to that, as there is little point in writing if it isn’t fun. It also has practical benefits – I sent out six poems (two submissions of three poems each) this month and got five of them back before the end of the month – allowing me to re-edit and send them out again instead of using five new ones. A few years ago, the system went wrong as I had Covid twice, whooping cough and some things I forget, which meant I used up my surplus poems and have not yet been able to get back to my original position. Some months I do better than others, this month, for instance, I was able to start early, miss just over a week with wedding, sunburn and general heat-induced fatigue, and still finish in a reasonably civilised manner. I feel I write better when I have more time and can relax.  Other months it has been more hectic.

Another advantage is that if an editor gets two poems of similar subject and quality, it’s good to be in first as the second one will have to be better than mine to displace me. If it’s not better, there’s a good chance that mine will keep its place.

And finally, editors often talk about “fit” and “shape” of issues, as in a poems isn’t the right fit for the shape of the issue. If you get in first, according to my theory, you help set the shape and it’s other people who are rejected rather than me.

All small points, but I have been rejected for such reasons before and every little helps.

So far, unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a way of overcoming things like writing badly _ I suppose I will just have to keep trying.