Acumen

[David]

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

[Firebird]

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

[Macavity]

Excellent news David. Did you keep the same title?

https://www.acumen-poetry.co.uk/acumen-94-may-2019/?doing_wp_cron=1570765908.2363140583038330078125

[David]

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!

Excellent news David. Did you keep the same title?

I don't follow you, old chap.

Cheers

David

[Firebird]

It's all subjectivity, ain't it?

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.

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

[David]

Anyway, Country Roads is an excellent poem. I’ve gone back to it a few times now and I’m still enjoying it.

Glad to hear it! Thanks Tristan.

[Macavity]

There was some discussion about the poem's title on the thread, but clearly you never changed it.

[David]

There was some discussion about the poem's title on the thread, but clearly you never changed it.

I had forgotten that! No, you're right, I didn't. Stubborn, see?

[lotus]

dear David

indeed congratulations !!!!

a warm smile
silent lotus