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Editor Interview: Zingara Poetry Review

Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

Narrative & lyric poetry

What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?

The 2013 edition of "Best American Poetry" with guest editor, Denise Duhamel; As/Us: A Space for Women of The World edited by Tanaya Winder and Casandra Lopez; Kansas City Voices, Whispering Prairie Press, editor Conoley; University of New Mexico Press, Sr. Acquisitions Editor Elise McHugh; Red Mountain Press, RD Ross and Susan Gardner;

If you publish writing, who are your favorite writers? If you publish art, who are your favorite artists?

Rachel Eliza Griffiths, Kamilah Aisha Moon, Linda Gregg, Natasha Trethewey, Denise Duhamel, Sharon Olds, Denise Low, Amy Fleury, Walt Whitman, Natalie Diaz, Eavan Boland, Kevin Young, Carl Phillips, Virginia Wolf, Margaret Atwood, Pearl Buck, and so many more...

What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?

ZingaraPoet seeks to represent under-represented voices, specifically those which do not "fit" the traditional canon or follow the classical parameters of poetics, particularly in regards to subject matter and style.

What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?

Read and follow submission guidelines carefully. No need to write a lengthy cover letter.

Describe the ideal submission.

"No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader" ~Robert Frost

What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?

Often poems exceed the line limit. In other instances, too many poems are submitted. In addition, professional bios tend to exceed the recommended word count.

How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?

A brief cover letter is sufficient. Only recent publications and/or awards need to be mentioned.

If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?

Every poem is read carefully.

What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?

Is the poem well-crafted and does it contain vivid images, careful syntax, unexpected metaphors and/or juxtapositions? Does it reward the careful reader or thwart understanding? Is it accessible without being over-simple? Is it mysterious without being esoteric? Does it treat a subject not usually addressed in poetry, or treat it in a way that is unusual?

What is a day in the life of an editor like for you?

Check email for submissions
Review cover letters
Read submitted poems
Make decision regarding acceptance
Format accepted poems, using HTML code when necessary
Include poet biography
Categorize and tag post
Determine best publication date based on poems being published near the same date
Schedule post using WordPress
Contact poet with decision and details of publication date in cases of acceptance
Take notes tracking the poet's name, title of submission, and date of publication

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