I have just started submitting the rare poem to small presses and have had my first-ever acceptance (at Poetry Monthly). My poem "Scalp" will be in the April Issue.

Not sure if this is where I should post such "momentous" news.

I haven't a clue about poetry, no matter how hard I try (maybe I should do a serious course.) I read some poetry on an English course but for the most part I was totally lost, couldn't get it. But sometimes something comes and it can only be a short piece, a microflash or a poem.

Can folks who do understand poetry suggest some publications or competitions worth submitting to with the lowliest at the top and the "impossible" ones at the bottom. For example, I know about The Bridport Prize but don't see myself submitting there before I'm ninety.




AkB

Well done, AkB! Great news!

No reason why you shouldn't submit to the Bridport, though they prefer longer poems really. If you look in the writing mags, you'll see adverts for competitions, and there are also competitions noted on this site too - latest opps on the home page often.

My advice is start locally/regionally and send as much suitable stuff in as possible. But don't forget - the average win/placing rate is 10% of what you send out. So you'll get a lot of silence.

Also, try submitting to poetry mags - advice can be found at http://www.poetrymagazines.org.uk - good luck!

A
xxx

Well done, Alison!
Tony

PS There's also a special message boeard on the WW Home page, called 'members' successes', where you can post the news.

Congratulations, Alison!

Rosy.

special message board on the WW Home page, called 'members' successes', where you can post the news

Ah I couldn't find one!


Thanks all.



AkB

That's great. Will we be able to read the poem online?

Well done, Alison.

Casey

Poetry Monthly has an on-line adobe file.


Thanks all.


All that seems pretty pointless anyway. I spent all day today in hospital with my boy (14) who broke his wrist badly then fainted in casualty. At six o'clock they decided they couldn't operate until tomorrow so sent us home, taxi and train. Back tomorrow for an operation.

I feel physically sick now.


AkB

Sorry to hear that, Alison, poor lad. Life just throws us these things out of nowhere. Mind you, i was in Casualty late one night last week for several hours on my own, and decided i was a bit sick because i sat there thinking what good writing material this was going to make...

Casey

Thanks

Up at 05:30 today to be in hospital for 07:30. "Hopefully we can operate first thing."

Op was at three-something and his break was messy and had to be wired so he was out for longer and in loads of pain afterwards.

I was holding his hand when he went out and literally the last thing he said was "love you" and for a split-second it was like he was dying and I started blubbing as soon as his eyes closed.

But I know what you mean about material because I "logged" that. There was a twelve year old girl with caustic soda burns all over her face because her father had left a cupful of this in reach! I better not say more. And a young British born Kashmiri boy with an eye injury.

I think I had a novel's worth of material today. I'm an emotional wreck.




AkB

He can't sleep now so he's on the sofa and I'm using the laptop.

It may be a long night...




AkB

well done on your sucess - the first thing I ever had placed was a poem in a small press magazine - I got three free copies and nothing I have ever done since has equalled that sense of achievement!

And sorry to hear about your son - I've been in hospital with my daughter on a couple of occasions now - nothing serious, but I know what that nauseous waiting in casualty feeling is like...

B

hi alison

sorry to hear about your boy...and congrats on getting your poem published. it's a terrific high; the only one to beat it is your first cheque!

i think my kids had me in every hospital in tyne & wear...then glasgow. but i am ashamed to admit that at least on one occassion i was spellbound by the golden light shining through the hairs on a handsome doctor's arm.

take care

irene