Editor Interviews
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Read all the editors' answers to Duotrope's interview question: Describe the ideal submission. Learn more.
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Here is a small sampling from our recent Editor Interviews. We have interviewed over 2,000 editors.
Q: Describe the ideal submission.
A: In the words of Dylan Thomas: “A good poem helps to change the shape and significance of the universe, helps to extend everyone's knowledge of himself and the world around him[/her].” I’m looking for it to do just that.
A: Work that really plays with the medium of choice, and digs deep into the artist's soul.
A: Four of your best poems. If you care about them and have given them the level of revision that care deserves, then odds are good that they will stand out.
A: Something that would fit in the theme's section at a bookstore, but is also different than what's on the shelves already.
A: There isn't any such thing. Read pieces on the site by contributors to whom we've awarded our semi-annual prize, or pieces by the co-editors to find out what we like.
A: The idea of submission is one that is simple and well written. Tell us something that really happened, in literary format. Use good language, use good grammar, use simple style. Tell us how it affected you and your life and don't be ashamed to tell us that you were scared or afraid or ashamed. Let us feel what you feel and let us know how you coped and came at on the other side either damaged or not damaged. We are used to stories of trauma from our daily clinical practice and we want to hear stories of trauma with redemption.
A: Any writing which makes us look at art through fresh eyes or in different shoes.
A: My ideal submission would have a great opening hook, followed by clear initial stakes, then increasing tension from that point until a satisfying solution (good or bad for the character, it doesn't matter; it just needs to make sense and fit the story).
A: My ideal submission has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It's sweet, atmospheric, funny, punchy, and optimistic.
A: The ideal peer review submission would be a strong, research based article. It needs to have a clear introduction and thesis, a purposeful and critical review of literature, a solid theoretical framework that enhances your methodological choices, and transparent data collection and results. By that I mean we love to see your interview questions, your surveys, anything you feel like contributing. We are a fully online journal so space isn't typically an issue. It is so rare to see research that is allowed to have an appendix with their interview or survey questions, which can be so helpful for other researchers to see and adapt for their own studies. Additionally, our reviewers love to see submissions that have strong APA 7th edition foundations.
An ideal non-peer reviewed submission would be from a practitioner or team of practitioners sharing their theory based practices that are used in their classroom or institution. This means that they give a brief introduction about what they are going to present, then give a very strong theoretical background on the practice they are implementing. Is it based in motivation theory? Then give us the motivation theory! We really want to see the link between the theory and the practice. And then of course an in depth look at the practice in question and guidance for how to adapt it in other classrooms.
A: Libidinally transparent.
A: Ideal submissions will include:
- The poet's name
- The poem's title
- The title of the artwork the poem is 'after'
- The name of the inspirational artwork's creator
- Any links to or other information about the poem's inspiration and its creator
- A note about why the artwork inspired your poem (100 words max.)
- The text of your poem
All submitted poems MUST be original, and MUST NOT have been published or be under consideration elsewhere.