Editor Interview: Feed the Holy

Our Holy Human Journey

I admire Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Spillwords, Rattle, Anti-Heroin Chic, Alien Buddha Press, Prolific Pulse Press, Paddler Press, Literary Revelations, Experiments in Fiction, Anxiety Press, Spartan Press, and many more.

Some favorites I publish: Robbie Cheadle, Kirsty Mac Dougall, Sam Moe, Walter Bargen, Ian C. Smith, Nancy Bevilaqua, Yongbo Ma, Smitha Vishwanath, Robert Okaji, Nolcha Fox, and so many more.

People appreciate the exploration of what makes us human. The word “holy” has many applications beyond the expected subject matter based on religious teachings. How do we walk this earth? Suffer? Heal? What brings us despair or joy? How do we build community rather than tribes? Where do we find beauty in our sorrows?

First, it’s important to read both the call for submissions and the submission guidelines. It also helps to read some of the published works on FEED THE HOLY. Submissions that do not fit the tone or subject matter described in the call for submissions will be returned.

The ideal submission follows the call for submissions and submission guidelines. The published pieces reveal the writers’ human experiences as souls on their earthly walks. What is “holy” to them? We wish to explore what brings joy and what heals grief, sorrow, anger, and shame. Writers have shared experiences related to family, illness, loss, love, and other topics. Readers can search different labels following each publication to see the scope of human experiences writers have explored. FEED THE HOLY isn’t a forum for religious dogma. It’s very easy to quote verses, but how do we live those principles?

Some people submit on the chance their work will be accepted. It’s obvious they haven’t read or understood the submission guidelines. Sometimes the only thing in the email is a poem with no civil commentary to indicate they know whom they are submitting to. At times, bios or author images are missing. Also, some people misinterpret what we mean by “holy”. They submit horror stories, battles with Satan, sermons, and the like. Another error is not pacing the submissions. Sometimes writers submit too often, even before a piece is published.

We appreciate a brief email letter that does the following:
1. Addresses the editor
2. Briefly states what is being submitted
3. Includes a short bio
4. Has an attachment of a word document with the submission
5. Signs off politely

If the piece doesn’t fit the call for submissions or the submission guidelines, it’s apparent on the first read. If the piece follows the themes and guidelines for FEED THE HOLY, I reread it for the quality of writing. I don’t mind doing some minor edits, but if the piece is unrefined, it will be returned.

The quality of writing is important. How skilled is the writer? Is the work refined, complete, and engaging? How will the readers react? Will this submission appeal to our audience?

Each morning I send updates to those who have been published that day on FEED THE HOLY, congratulating them for their publication. I also correspond with authors regarding their submissions. If I accept the submissions, I let them know the dates of publication and promise to reply to their submission emails with the links closer to those dates. It’s difficult to return submissions, but I do so with kindness. I don’t have time to critique those works, but usually it’s a matter of not understanding the call for submissions or guidelines. I spend time creating the posts. On average, each post takes up to a half hour to design. Record-keeping also takes time. I maintain spreadsheets and folders. Also, correspondences with authors takes time as friendships develop. By the way, all of this is volunteer work, and I love it.

I hope the submissions are polished, but I proofread and make minor edits. If a work needs substantial help, I return it. If a part lacks clarity, I check with the author, but I rarely have to share final drafts. I imagine if I were publishing a book, I would have to share drafts. I also have to proofread the posts because sometimes the format gets goofed up. I may miss words blended together or I have typos.

Not yet. I did one year for another journal I edit, but it’s time-consuming, and I’m a team of one on FEED THE HOLY and the other journal I edit.