Editor Interview: Neologism Poetry Journal

Brave new language.

I've never been let down by 32 Poems or The Kenyon Review.

An intimate issue size, links to authors' prior works for new fans, and dedication to providing a mix of styles and subjects from writers of any background or level of achievement all make sure a reader finds something new every month.

Storytelling in your poem, even if the story isn't a traditional narrative but an evocation of a mood, or a setting, will get you far. Telling a unique story (perspective, language, tone, and especially rhythm when read aloud) will get you published here. Poems that can do this in a metrical format without leaning heavily on end-rhyme are especially favored.

A variety of themes and formats, though if the author knows they do one thing well, having choices among iterations of that thing helps. The ideal submitting poet would have read a few past issues.

Only two things tend to go awry: people send non-poetry submissions or they send several submissions in the same month without solicitation.

Each piece is read in entirety multiple times, sometimes spread over the course of the review period to make sure I'm not missing the right perspective.

I may request qualification of the intention of a section or theme from the author.

Occasionally I will discuss more substantive suggestions with prospective acceptances, but typical editing (again, taking place with express permission of authors) concerns minor issues with punctuation, spelling, and occasionally meter.

I nominate poetry annually for Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize.