Use this board to ask questions about how to use PoetryCircle.

how do you choose whose writing is good enough to be kept and what should be rejected? Just curious.

Welcome Brian. There are no rules regarding language, but there are six editors reading for content and form. Although they read from their own preference in style, they endeavor to comment on the craft and those elements that separate effective and fresh work from clichéd and boring. Since most rules have all been broken, the judgment comes from reading and comparing the use of the tools that effectively communicate the experience of the poem. This could be grammar, syntax, spelling; it could be punctuation or content, the call is made from the reader’s sense of whether the poem works to gather the reader into the corral of the poem’s words.

The site is a forum, so commenting is as important as posting. You may want to curb your posts so that folk can make a comment. Too many posts will result in not many notes. Lastly, the rejection process is unique on this site as all rejected work remains on its own board and can be commented on. Occasionally, a rejected poem by one of the editors will be moved back to the “submit” board by another.

I worry when poets feel that there is something “meaningful” in the poem that they suppose the reader or editor didn’t “get”. The skills of cipher cracking are often mistaken for paying attention. If “getting” it requires familiarity with references the reader is unfamiliar, It doesn’t mean that the work isn’t or shouldn’t be successful on other levels of experience. All writing has a given and specific audience.

Again, welcome,


larry

what is the submit board?

"Re: Sleepy
« Reply #4 on: Today at 09:09:24 AM » by larry jordan
I would like to see this happen. In my opinion the real mausoleum is the "submit board".

And to start, do we need a a comparison, "like dads..." (L4) to read L3? That line can stand alone... and then "everything in the room has their fingers to their lips,"


Just some thoughts"

michael

The submit board is the board where all the new poems are posted. Larry is correct in that there are so many poems posted on that board that many fall through the cracks. 

that makes sense, and it would also explain why we on the outside don't have as much opportunity to learn what you folks consider rejection/workshop material----there is too much for you inside folks to possibly be able to do, and we on the outside don't get to see the choices you make either, so it all seems kinda useless----it's nobody's fault, but useless all the same....and that's too bad...

thanks, Lavonne,
michael

You can check each board every time you log on for new work.

Also, on the right side of the screen is something labeled Site Tools.

You can select from three actions:

Mark ALL messages as read
Show unread posts since last visit.
Show new replies to your posts.

If you select 'Show unread posts since last visit' you get a list of everything posted since you were last here.

we also receive emails about new posts, so it's a good system with respect to keeping up on what's happening with posted work----but we can't know editorial thinking on poems, and that keeps us from learning what's wrong with poems under question, and thereby learning how not to make those same mistakes ourselves----so we do make them----and then we get rejected or dumped in the workshop, which is confusing, non-informative, and demoralizing...

michael

When I reject a poem I do not provide any reason; reasons for rejection are stated in the guidelines for submission.

When I move a poem to the workshop, I give my reason. 

There is no set editorial policy which all of the editors follow other than that stated by Jay. See:   http://www.poetrycircle.com/index.php/topic,14.0.html

I know it's too much, Lavonne----and please do know I was not coming from a negative place here----just trying to clarify the situation from this poet's pov, that's all----and I appreciate the fact that you do provide a reason when you place a piece in the workshop----also, I noticed that a lot of poets whose poems are in the rejected section leave the site----but I suppose that's what the editors want to happen, since they view those poets who submit poems whose content is significantly  aberrant from standard pc requirements as too unskilled for this site----am I right?

michael

"but I suppose that's what the editors want to happen, since they view those poets who submit poems whose content is significantly  aberrant from standard pc requirements as too unskilled for this site----am I right?"

No, you are incorrect. I do not want members to leave the site, especially if their work has been rejected.  I want everyone to stay, read, and learn. 

Well then, Lavonne, if that is the case, there's a problem, and I think it's with the rejection/workshop system----it is a blunt and rusted knife, and all it does is wound and infect----it helps no one----no one will admit to that, of course----and I can't see any reason why they won't except they don't care----when you insult and wound people, most of them will respond to that kind of treatment with, "who needs 'em? I'm outa here!"...

look how we lost eric ashford----oh, it's easy to blame the poet, which is what is always done----"he couldn't take criticism, so he left"----not so, he left because he felt the editorial board would not hear him----I argued his case, and I think I made a helluva lot of valid points, but no one listened, because they don't care how poets feel they are treated...

I have read that point made clear over and over again----after all, pc is such a prestigious site, and any poet worth his weight in ink should realize how very fortunate he is to be here----not gonna happen, that realization, not when editors disrespect people with that rejection system----we poets are far more intelligent than some of our poetry may seem to the admittedly overworked and unpayed editorial board...

Pride in your site only goes so far----when incoming poets perceive that pride as rigidity in the editors themselves, taking the form of refusal to listen and consider the poets needs, they will understandably not tolerate that, and they will leave...

with real respect,
michael

Hi, Jay.
Is there any way members can post within the full PC community in such a way that postings are not available to general public? I didn't actually realize that all our discussions seem to be open to wide world.
Thanks, Tom

The only board that is not available to the general public is the reject board.

Dear Editors, Thanks for your devotion to the Poetry Circle. I would like to say something here. Would you please help young beginning poets have their poems published if possible? Looking forward to hearing from you. Best wishes. Richard

Richard: We don't have any process by which we can influence publishers. However, if you spend time reading the discussions and comments on all the boards, you'll get lots of suggestions.

Another tip: Google the poets you find here and discover other places they publish.

Good Luck!

As a guest you can't see the workshop.  At least it's not listed with the rest of the contents to the left.

cheryl

Michael, just stopped in here for a minute and thought I might add something here.  What you're saying is true, but only if you don't visit often.

When I first joined Poetry Circle I felt out of place and afraid to post anything.  The writing seemed so far above me (and is), but once an editor and member responded to one of my poems (and it wasn't all good either) I began to respond to them and other poems.  Before I knew it I was visiting everyday and loved it, still love it.

My point is, just as with anything, the more you give the more you receive.  The more time you spend here the more you feel a part of things, and the more you learn.  My advice is don't let outward appearances fool you.  The editors and members here are wonderful, warm people, and very accepting of everyone.

But you can't know that 'less you wade in the deep.

Hope you haven't given up, Michael, to the point you don't see this reply.  Hope it helps.

cheryl