Category: Self-taught MFA

Bring Back the Salon – guest blog post by Sonja Johanson

A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to please or […]

“Past Imperfect” an essay on writing life – guest blog post by Jillian M. Phillips

When I got a "real world" job after years of intermittently waitressing and staying at home, I stopped writing. Not because I wanted to. I found myself so drained of inspiration that I simply couldn't put pen to paper. Instead, I spent my days rushing to get my […]

"Prose Poem or Flash Fiction – What's the Difference?" – guest blog post by Jessica Terson

Every emerging writer dreams of finding herself in a conversation with the editor of an esteemed literary magazine. For the new writer, especially, there are hundreds of unanswered questions about the submission process. So you can imagine my excitement when I found myself speaking with Ralph Hamilton, the […]

“Prose Poem or Flash Fiction – What's the Difference?” – guest blog post by Jessica Terson

Every emerging writer dreams of finding herself in a conversation with the editor of an esteemed literary magazine. For the new writer, especially, there are hundreds of unanswered questions about the submission process. So you can imagine my excitement when I found myself speaking with Ralph Hamilton, the […]

2019 Literary Magazine Rankings for Poetry by Clifford Garstang + my list of Paying Markets for Emerging Poets

If you’re not already familiar with Clifford Garstang‘s annual literary magazine rankings or you’ve forgotten to check them out for a while, here’s a reminder to how handy they are! Every year Garstang ranks lit mags based on Pushcart Prize anthology. He creates rankings for the three main […]

Navigating Lit Mags: Why and Where to Publish – guest blog rewind by Bernard Grant

Navigating the world of literary magazines was difficult for me in the beginning. I initially set out to publish anywhere, so desperate for publication, I actually Googled easiest literary magazines to the publish in, or something to that extent, and came across visual and literary artist's Michael Alexander […]

"Overcoming the Competition" + submissions calendar! – guest blog post by Derek Annis

The first time I sent submissions out after completing my MFA, I sent out six packets of poems to higher-tier journals. Then I waited. If the feedback of my classmates and professors was any indication, I assumed the responses would be positive (either acceptances or personalized rejection letters). […]

“Overcoming the Competition” + submissions calendar! – guest blog post by Derek Annis

The first time I sent submissions out after completing my MFA, I sent out six packets of poems to higher-tier journals. Then I waited. If the feedback of my classmates and professors was any indication, I assumed the responses would be positive (either acceptances or personalized rejection letters). […]

These Tips From Creative Writers Will Help You Get Published – & Get Paid + 7 No Fee Calls via The Penny Hoarder

Excited that The Penny Hoarder interviewed me for this excellent article! They also interviewed guest blogger and Editor of Driftwood Press Jerrod Schwarz. The article includes lots of great tips on submitting creative writing as well as a list of 7 paying markets with no fees to submit! […]

Re-thinking Previously Published Poetry – guest blog post by Kathy Lundy Derengowski

One of the most daunting challenges that confronts every struggling and submitting poet is the demand for "previously unpublished" poems. We have grown used to it by now, and most of us have developed elaborate systems for keeping track of what poems have already found a home, which […]

Trish Hopkinson