On this Poetry Friday, I feel grateful. This week held both challenges and unexpected sources of support for my Ekphrastic Nature Poetry Anthology.
The Challenge
The challenge was posed by none other than my State poetry association, the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP). I wrote an advertisement to be posted to their weekly newsletter, calling for submissions to the anthology. There were no guidelines posted other than to pay $10.00 and to keep it under 100 words. I met both of those criteria. There was a link to the anthology detail page on my blog. I made sure the link was active and contained the correct information.
However, after I submitted it, I got an email asking about payment for the authors whose work is accepted for the anthology. I replied that there was no pay, except for a free copy of the book once it is published for each accepted author. At the time I replied, I also included that there is a fee to submit. The fee is $10.00 for up to three poem/photograph pairs.
The next response from the advertisement contact at the WFOP got nasty.
“You mean not only is there no payment, there’s also a fee to submit?”
I was shocked. But I kept my cool and explained that was correct and why. I also went on to stand up for myself and say that I’d like the ad put in the newsletter as written, for there were no stated guidelines other than the ten-dollar fee (sound familiar?) and word count limit.
I went on to say that the complete details of submitting (including the fee and the payment) were clearly written in the guidelines at the link given in the advertisement. Therefore, they were accessible to anyone interested.
Afterthoughts
I felt judged. I felt less than. I felt that the nastiness in the email was not necessary.
I felt good that I kept my cool, stood up for myself, and stayed polite.
You know, part of my moving forward with the Ekphrastic Nature Anthology is to help get people published. It’s hard. I know it’s hard. I’ve tried. And I’ll keep trying. But I enjoyed working on the chapbook I published last year, and I’ve wanted to publish another poetry book – why not include photos (which I love to take) and poetry (which I love to write) from others. I’m trying to do a good thing.
Each poet has to make a choice as to whether to submit to a publication or not. Part of the things considered is pay and fees. I wasn’t asking something unusual. In fact, my fees and payment are the best I can do as a one-woman editor and press. Making sure the photos are clear, appropriate, and of an acceptable size is something I’ve chosen to do. I want – very much – to do it. I don’t feel burdened at all. If anything, I feel privileged that I can produce this anthology.
But I certainly don’t want to be made to feel “less than” either.
My OLW this year is ENOUGH. And I am.
It’s funny how we tend to pick words that end up fitting our situations, isn’t it?!
Surprise Support
The same day I had the challenge of the WFOP advertisement, I got a great surprise from another Poetry Friday participant. Let me just say that there are generous and supportive members in our Poetry Friday group. (Of course, I already knew this.) But, just WOW! I’ll tell you more about it once I have a link to share. This author’s website is something you definitely want to check out, too. She even has a newsletter you can sign up for, and I’d encourage you to do so. I hate to keep you in the dark, but don’t want to share too much too soon!
The contact with this author and Poetry Friday participant made me feel extremely grateful about the anthology, what I was trying to do not only for myself but for others (publication), and how I was going about doing it.
So tonight, I sought a poem on gratitude. And I found the words below fit a lot of what I was feeling.
Gratitude
by Edgar Albert Guest, 1881- 1959
Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way,
Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day,
Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do,
For round about you there are men less fortunate than you.
Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to bloom,
The tenderness of kindly hearts that shared your days of gloom,
Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath your feet,
The soft caresses of your babes and all their laughter sweet.
Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blessed you are,
How much there is to gladden life, how little life to mar!
And what if rain shall fall to-day and you with grief are sad,
Be grateful that you can recall the joys that you have had.
This poem is in the public domain.
Sources:
https://blog.gratefulness.me/gratitude-poems/
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/edgar-albert-guest#tab-poems
https://www.yourdailypoem.com/listpoem.jsp?poem_id=4277
Lastly, below is the link to the anthology information again. There’s still plenty of time.
Submissions close November 1st. Thanks for your consideration!
https://wordpress.com/page/theapplesinmyorchard.com/42811
Addendum Added 9/16/23, 10 am CST:
Please visit our gracious host for this week’s round-up – Rose Cappelli at Imagine the Possibilities. She’s inspired me to try a reverso poem. Her poem is about fall – it’s her first attempt and amazingly well done!
And if you haven’t guessed who my mystery anthology supporter is, it’s author, coach, editor, and all-around kind person – Lou Piccolo! Visit her website, and read her supportive challenge on my call for submissions to the anthology at the following link: https://view.flodesk.com/emails/65000cf0a37bfd7cfd114e95
Please sign up for Lou’s informative and friendly newsletter, too by visiting her website (linked above).
Thank you, Lou! Working with you this week has been a gift!
The Apples in My Orchard 
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