Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Question on Poem

This is topic Question on Poem in forum Fragments and Feedback for Short Works at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :

I know we aren't supposed to post poetry here, and I'm not going to post a poem, but I'm in a little quandry.

I sent a sonnet to a magazine and they replied that they were willing to look at it again if I fixed a few problems. I fixed all of them but one and I have no idea how to solve it.

So, if there's any Hatracker willing to take a look at the Shakespearean sonnet I've written and tell me either a) "you can't do what the editor's asking Keeley" or b) "here's some things you might consider" with a few suggestions following, please email me.

I'm not looking for a critique of the poem or for someone to create the lines for me. I just need a point in the right direction.

Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :

Send it over; I'll take a look see.

Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :

Sounds like fun. I'd like too see the problem.

Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :

I've read this for Keeley already.

If you enjoy poetry, especially sonnets, this is worth looking at.

Best of luck, Keeley

Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :

Thanks.

Posted by crazydel (Member # 2475) on :

send send!!

hmmm.... i hope my email is in my profile.

Oops... are we not allowed to post poetry?! uh oh... :s

Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :

quote:
i hope my email is in my profile.

'Fraid not. But mine is in my profile, so if you like you can just send me an email and I'll send you the poem in the reply.

Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :

One of the problems with poetry is that it is usually very short. If you post the whole thing you will lose your electronic and first-publication rights. Even if you only post 13 lines, you are likely publishing it enough that a prospective publisher won't look at it or will pay a reduced rate because they look at it as a re-print.

The same thing sort of applies for really short flash fiction.

I can't seem to find guidelines regarding poetry, but I know I read it somewhere.

Perhaps Kathleen could elaborate or point in the appropriate direction.

Posted by djvdakota (Member # 2002) on :

Keeley, one of the members of my group is a poet. Would you like me to ask her if she'll take a look?

email me.

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Robyn, you said it all.

Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :

Wow, I managed to get online tonight. Yea!

Thanks, dakota, but I've decided to tell the editor that I can't make that final change. Letting others look at it only confirmed my gut instinct. Changing those lines according to the editor's specs would create an entirely new sonnet that had very little to do with the purpose of the original. The current version is about peace and forgiveness; the version I would have to create would talk mostly about the battle beforehand and hardly touch on those original themes.

Anyway, thanks again and I'd like to thank everyone who's offered their help with this.