Last night I had a dream that my book was published by a press connected to "The Island of Lesvos/Lesbos." Now, I'm desperately wondering which press I'm supposed submit to?
I've been annoyed with poetry contests that change a $15 to submit 3 poems and have a prize of $150. Do the math, if 10 people enter, they break even. Sometimes, I can see the high price of vanity, of ego.
I think about the poetry world and try to figure out better ways than taking from the poets. I've always said, Give poetry books as gifts or hostess gifts. Sometimes I'm amazed how large and small the poetry audience, we are both enormous and insignificant.
This year, I'm being very thoughtful about where I send my manuscript. I'm not flooding the market in hopes of something. I'm considering the judge, would s/he like my work? Sometimes, it's hard to tell. Mostly, I've been checking my gut on this-- how would I feel if Press X published my work? I want to be excited and thrilled about the next book. I want the sash and the crown. Now, if I can just interpret my dream, I may be on the right track.
