Publishing My Poetry Online

Publishing My Poetry as a Practice

Long ago, in a less digital world, I wrote things and sent them through the mailbox to a few print magazines to see if they wanted to publish them. I enclosed a self-address, stamped envelope (the old SASE — anyone remember that acronym?) and waited, often for months. Most of the time, my poems came back to me like homing pigeons in the old SASE, sometimes with an editor’s letter explaining why they weren’t going to publish them. Once I had a rejection letter from the editor of The Atlantic. I considered framing it. Once I had one from the distinguished editor of Poetry Magazine. Again, frames were considered.

But in today’s digital world, everything is online and happens fast. I send out a batch of poems only to get my rejection — or acceptance — within a few days or weeks. I can post a link to the poem in the online magazine and people can actually read it at the touch of a button. No subscription required.

What I’ve learned from this is that writing — especially poetry — is for sharing. For me, it’s not about collecting distinguished credits but about being read by actual people. Many of whom don’t normally read poetry, let alone subscribe to poetry magazines.

The comments I get back teach me things. The biggest thing I’ve learned from publishing my poetry is to be generous. Writing a poem is a way of giving something to the world. It’s about the reader, not about me, though it usually starts being about me and my memories, dreams, and thoughts. The fluidity of publishing my poetry in the world is now a conversation, and as a poet, I become part of a community. I highly recommend it!

My Poems Out in The World Now

When the world seems like a fire-and-ice apocalypse, poetry can lift your heart, soothe your nerves, and provide soul nourishment. I’m very happy to have had poems appear in several magazines that offer this.

Eclectica – Egret Fishing & Weathering It

Spirit Fire Review – Silver

Braided Way Magazine – Fish Swim In Your Pockets

Amethyst Review – Be Bumped

Readings on Youtube

Have you ever wished you could listen to poems instead of reading it on the page? Background music can enhance the experience, and while you’re listening, seeing the words as the poem flows along makes for a rich experience.

I’ve been making a series of spoken-word videos of my recorded poems from my CD A GOD YOU CAN DANCE. I created a Youtube channel to share them for free to anyone who needs to hear poetry right now. You can listen and read along on my Youtube channel HERE.