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Editor Interview: Pause for Paws Poetry Journal

Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

poems for or on animals

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

Voice and Verse, Tears in the Fence

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

I don't have any favourite writers or artists. I look at the poems, not the persons.

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

As far as I know, Pause for Paws is the only poetry journal that publishes poems for and on animals only, and serves as a bridge to connect poets writing in English and Chinese.

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

Write from your heart. Be honest, observant and brave. Show me your unique experience with the animal(s) you write about.

Describe the ideal submission.

Same as the advice I mentioned.

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

There is no need to provide a bio unless your work is accepted. Cover letters are not important but I am interested to know where the submitter is from and how they got to know the magazine.

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

I read every poem to the end. If I am not sure about a poem, I will read it several times and perhaps come back to it a few days later to see if it reads better. With limited resources, I can't make comments on every submission but I do sometimes suggest changes to submitters if their poems have potential.

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

Pause for Paws is a hobby to me. It is a way to remember my first cat and let pet/animal lovers to share their love for their animal pals. I have a job that supports my living and a cat to take care of. The translators are all volunteers too.

How much do you edit an accepted piece prior to publication?

I don't edit the submissions, unless there are typos, missing punctuations or revisions based on my suggestions. I always get the author's approval before publishing their work.

Do you nominate work you've published for any national or international awards?

I haven't done it but I will see if I can.

How is your project funded?

Right now the translators and I work on a voluntary basis. Donations are welcome because I very much want to pay the authors and translators.

How do you promote your project and published authors/artists?

Word of Mouth and Duotrope

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