Editor Interview: Platform Review

Writers in NY, NJ, & PA

We admire the work of local small presses who focus on publishing a diverse range of voices including CavanKerry, Poets Wear Prada, Pink Trees Press, Get Fresh Books, and Paterson Literary Review.

Some of our current favorite writers include Roberto Carlos Garcia, Lucille Clifton, Marie Howe, and Jericho Brown.

Two things set us apart: our focus on writers in the New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania tri-state area, and our commitment to using our publication to build communities of writers in our region. In addition to showcasing work by established writers, we publish new and emerging voices, including promising work from high school students.

It goes without saying that reading what a journal publishes will give you a good idea of the kind of work they like. Additionally, work that has been thoughtfully reviewed, revised and edited stands a stronger chance of making the cut. Get a friend to read through your work before you submit to avoid it being passed over because of poor editing.

Surprise us, amaze us, take us on a journey to somewhere unexpected. Work that is well-described, with strong imagery, crisp diction, clear rhythms and an energetic flow stands a stronger chance of being accepted. Juxtapositions, contrasts, and paradoxes make for delicious explorations in a work. If you have poems that reflect a common theme, don’t be afraid to submit two or three of them together.

Sometimes submitters think we’ll figure out what their point is. Their work is too vague, elliptical or unfocused. Sometimes writers will submit unedited work, hoping we’ll do the magic for them. We won’t. We are strong believers in the revision and editing process. We expect our writers to honor all aspects of the writing process if they want to get to the final step of publication.

Cover letters can offer the editors insight that helps us see the context of work. Long lists of publications don’t sway us, though knowing someone has been published before never hurts. But we’re also interested in writers who have never been published before. Telling us what compelled them to write or why or when they got started might be more intriguing than a long list of previous publications.

Poetry is always read all the way through, and sometimes several times before we make a decision. Longer prose pieces that are accepted have been read thoroughly by multiple editors.

Generally, our editors collaborate with one another after reading through submissions. We discuss pieces and they might go to another staff editor if we have further concerns or questions about a piece.

Margaret R. Sáraco, Poetry Editor: While I check the submissions frequently, I enjoy reading several submissions in one sitting. Once I have my editor hat on, I take a deep dive into the work. I read the poems several times. Mary and I will discuss the work every couple of weeks, going through each submission. Because we are writers as well, we feel it is important to take time when making decisions.
Mary Brancaccio, Poetry Editor: I log in weekly to check our submissions, usually mid-week after a morning cup of tea. I’ll read through and log new work, then take time to read through the work and think about it. I will post my initial reaction and any questions to my colleague. Every two weeks or so, we will run through our line-up and finalize decisions and posting schedules.

We do basic proofreading and some copy editing to correct unintentional errors in otherwise strong pieces. We ask our writers to approve final edits. If we think a piece needs a more substantial edit, we might make some general suggestions and ask them to resubmit.

Beginning in 2024, we will nominate writers for the Pushcart Prize and the Best of the Net.