Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.
A: strong, honed poetry
Q: What other current publications (or publishers) do you admire most?
A: All publications from the National Beat Poetry Foundation and so many more. I enjoy poetry presented imaginatively in a video format as well. GAS is a multimedia publication and we present and share original poetry, art and music videos too. There are always a couple of them posted on the site of the zine where people can conveniently click and watch. One can also watch GAS projects posted at http://youtube.com/belindasubraman
Q: What sets your publication apart from others that publish similar material?
A: I don't know of anyone publishing poetry, art and music together the way GAS does. We also do collaborations for videos, interviews of writers, artists and musicians. Since I write, paint and create music, I see them all sprouting from the same source.
Q: What is the best advice you can give people who are considering submitting work to your publication?
A: Read and follow the Guidelines at the top to the site. I'd say about half of the submitters obviously did not read them which tells me they probably didn't read the zine either. One needs to read a few articles to get the sensibilities of the publication.
Q: Describe the ideal submission.
A: Five pieces of well crafted, meaningful poetry or flash fiction and a short bio of no more than 100 words pasted in the body of an email in accordance with Guidelines which includes a jpeg head shot attached. I will consider art, music, reviews and interviews as well. Just send me a note. There's an email button on the right side of the site.
Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?
A: They show they didn't read a single article by sending inappropriate work AND without following ANY of the Guidelines.
Q: How much do you want to know about the person submitting to you?
A: I always ask for a short bio up to 100 words or so. All the articles presented are Features. It's fine to mention just a few publications you're most proud of, last book, awards etc.
Q: If you publish writing, how much of a piece do you read before making the decision to reject it?
A: Since it's poetry usually, I read the whole pieces. Flash fiction (approximately 100 words) is read too. If you are also an artist or musician let me know. If accepted, some of your other talents can be presented as well.
Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?
A: It's all important. Each networking site compliments the others. Most readers and writers operate entirely online. I am on Facebook, (also GAS: Poetry, Art and Music group), Twitter and You Tube as Belinda Subraman and on Instagram as Mystical House Art
Q: How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?
A: None. Oh, if I see one typo and like the piece I might ask the submitter if they meant .... whatever it seemed like they meant to type.
Q: Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?
A: I nominate for Best of the Net.