Skip to Content

Editor Interview: Star*Line

Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

A: Speculative poetry

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

A: Apex, Cabinet des Fées, Dreams & Nightmares, Farrago's Wainscont, PANK, Phantom Kangaroo, Right Hand Pointing, and many more.

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

A: Kim Addonizio, Billy Collins, Wendy Cope, Kevin Griffith, Louis Jenkins, Don Paterson, Ann K. Schwader, Dean Young.

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

A: It is the official journal of the Science Fiction Poetry Association.

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

A: We like unusual poetry (unusual by speculative standards, that is). And for Cthulhu's sake, use proper spelling, syntax, and punctuation.

Q: Describe the ideal submission.

A: Brief or non-existent cover letter and 3-5 unusual, wonderful poems without formatting peculiarities or errors of grammar.

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

A: Carelessness with grammar and meaning.

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

A: Omitting a cover letter is perfectly fine. Publication credits are immaterial.

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

A: I read them all. But I can read very quickly if necessary.

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

A: None.

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

A: Answering whatever e-mails have arisen. Occasionally discussing layout and printing of the next issue. Nagging contributors for articles, revisions, or PayPal info.

Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?

A: Very important; our guidelines are on the website, and we have recently made a .pdf subscription option available.