Acumen
Acumen
I haven't submitted anything anywhere for a while, but here's one with - apparently - a long fuse. I have a poem in the September Acumen. I can't post a link because it is - quaintly, these days - a print magazine, but it's this one ...
http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18642&p=152559
http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18642&p=152559
Re: Acumen
It’s a beaut David.
I’ve been rejected that many times by Acumen I don’t bother submitting anymore. So well done.
I believe they receive something like 20 thousand poems per year which makes your feat even more impressive.
Many congratulations and well deserved.
Cheers,
Tristan
I’ve been rejected that many times by Acumen I don’t bother submitting anymore. So well done.
I believe they receive something like 20 thousand poems per year which makes your feat even more impressive.
Many congratulations and well deserved.
Cheers,
Tristan
Re: Acumen
Excellent news David. Did you keep the same title?
https://www.acumen-poetry.co.uk/acumen-94-may-2019/?doing_wp_cron=1570765908.2363140583038330078125
https://www.acumen-poetry.co.uk/acumen-94-may-2019/?doing_wp_cron=1570765908.2363140583038330078125
Re: Acumen
Thank you Tristan! Gosh, I did not realise the submission rate was so high. That's bucked me up somewhat!
This is my second one there. It's strange: I've made no impression at all on Magma, for instance - except that I was shortlisted once - and have had a measly one poem in The Rialto, but that fairly small success rate has largely put me off submitting there (like you with Acumen). But sometimes, it seems, you can strike a chord with a particular editor, and that seems to be what has happened - sometimes - with Acumen.
It's all subjectivity, ain't it?
And thank you Mac!
Cheers
David
This is my second one there. It's strange: I've made no impression at all on Magma, for instance - except that I was shortlisted once - and have had a measly one poem in The Rialto, but that fairly small success rate has largely put me off submitting there (like you with Acumen). But sometimes, it seems, you can strike a chord with a particular editor, and that seems to be what has happened - sometimes - with Acumen.
It's all subjectivity, ain't it?
And thank you Mac!
I don't follow you, old chap.
Cheers
David
Re: Acumen
It is mostly subjective, I think, but there is also craft. I suspect many poems are weeded out from the slush piles of such mags as Magma and Acumen because they just aren’t written very well, or as Ros says, don’t pay enough attention to sound. After that, I do think it’s mostly subjective (the taste of the editor), unless the poem is absolutely exceptional and everyone thinks so, but how often does this happen.It's all subjectivity, ain't it?
I’ve never had a poem in Rialto or Acumen, but I did manage to get a short one in Magma 5 years ago. As Helena Nelson says, it’s harder to get your poems in these mags than getting a PHd. She also says all you’ve got to do is write a good poem

Anyway, Country Roads is an excellent poem. I’ve gone back to it a few times now and I’m still enjoying it.
Cheers,
Tristan
Re: Acumen
There was some discussion about the poem's title on the thread, but clearly you never changed it.
Re: Acumen
dear David
indeed congratulations !!!!
a warm smile
silent lotus
indeed congratulations !!!!
a warm smile
silent lotus
“A poem should have the touch ... the way sunlight falls on Braille.” .......silent lotus