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Editor Interview: Plume Poetry

Q: Describe what you publish in 25 characters or less.

A: Contemporary poetry.

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

A: The usual, I suspect: New Yorker, Atlantic, Harper's, Ploughshares, Paris Review, Field, Pleiades, etc. -- and Asymptote.

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

A: Poets: Simic, Dick Allen, David Kirby, Sylvia Fischerova, D. Nurkse, Lyn Hejinian, Salamun, Beckian Fritz Goldberg, Rae Armantrout, Jorie Graham, G.C. Waldrep, Lydia Davis, Mary Jo Salter, Jennifer Knox, Chase Twichell, Cole Swenson. Those no longer among us: Parra, Trakl, Cioran (yes, a poet), Ponge, Michaux, Montale.

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

A: The range and quality of our work -- and cover art: Laurie Simmons, Sarah Charlesworth. Also, aside from the forthcoming print Plume Anthology of Poetry 2012, our online format: twelve poems per month, one poem/one poet -- mostly.

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

A: Read the Submissions guidelines, of course, and peruse the Archives. And don't be...intimidated by the "names" -- we publish emerging writers as well -- Carrie Causey, for example, comes to mind.

Q: Describe the ideal submission.

A: Beautiful, whatever that may mean and entail.

Q: What do submitters most often get wrong about your submissions process?

A: Some send fiction, which we do not publish, while others send more than the three poems recommended -- most get it right, however.

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

A: Publications --we link -- Amazon, Powell's, or other preferred -- to the most recent book in the bio note, awards -- not very interested in the origins or context of the work itself or personal information.

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

A: All, every one. Really.

Q: What additional evaluations, if any, does a piece go through before it is accepted?

A: None: I am "the decider," I'm afraid.

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

A: Apart from design and tech matters to be attended to, for which I immediately consult a tech staff (not my skill set, most of my time is spent reading submissions and corresponding with poets whose work I have solicited.

Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?

A: Crucial -- online is now a viable venue for even the most well-known poets, and print markets seem to be diminishing. Also, I think poets like the speed with which we can make editorial decisions: we usually reply within a week or two, a far cry from the standard months of not so long ago, in print. And no more S.A.S.E.'s!