This interview is provided for archival purposes. The listing is not currently active.
Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.
A: Old stories, new voices.
Q: If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?
A: Of all time, living and dead, poetry and fiction? Daphne du Maurier, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Phil Rickman, Hans Christian Andersen, Gillian Clarke, Jack Kerouac, Gary Snyder, Sharon Olds, Bret Easton Ellis, Albert Camus, Franz Kafka, Jean-Paul Sartre, Edgar Allan Poe, Jayne Anne Phillips. The list goes on. I like the offbeat and the sensitive, the cutting and the observational. Above all I like to read words and phrases that kick me in the gut in the nicest way possible.
Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?
A: Well, I suppose some publications focus on myth, or fairytales, whereas three drops encompasses all of the old stories, whether it's an obscure local folktale or a major world religion - even Christianity is classed as a mythology where we're concerned. Also, I've been told we're the only British publication with this kind of theme. Other than that, I don't know. My obsession drives the variety - I don't have a particular 'type' of poem in mind, just the urge to see exciting new writing that re-tells or is influenced by myths, fairytales, legends and folklore.
Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?
A: Please do your best to ensure your work fits the theme(s)! It will be rejected if it doesn't. Please read the guidelines. Please say "hello, here is my work" in your covering email, even if you have nothing else to say. Also my name is on the website, so please take the time to address me by it, or at the very least "Dear Editor" - you wouldn't believe how many times I've been addressed by someone else's name, people who don't even work for three drops.
Q: Describe the ideal submission.
A: The ideal submission is related to folklore, myths, legends or fairytales. If it isn't a well-known story, it has footnotes or a note in the covering letter to explain, so that both our readers and I will understand and learn something new. It will be in a Word document. The submission will contain a third person bio of 75 words or less, as quirky or serious as you like, but not long enough to list every single publication or achievement ever attained by the author. I want to see good, powerful writing more than anything else.
Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?
A: People are most often declined for not sending work on the theme(s).
Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?
A: I like a nice "hello, here I am, thanks for considering my work", but previous publication credits, awards, MAs and PhDs do not impress me. It's nice to know someone is a real living person, but the poems and flash are the most important factor. Those are what people visit the site and buy the anthologies to read.
Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?
A: I read every single piece to the end, at least twice, before making a decision.
Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?
A: In my opinion, it's very important. I've discovered a huge world of talented folks thanks to social media, websites and emails - as an editor, and as a writer who can appreciate other editors are embracing technology. There's always going to be a place in my heart for paper books - that's why I publish those as well - but I do love the internet and ebooks for ease of access.