Thanks for writing this Clare, it’s very comforting. I recently didn’t get accepted onto a programme that would’ve had a big impact on my development. My brain went straight to the “I’m not good enough”, “Why didn’t they choose me?” and “What’s the point in even trying”. This one particular rejection stung so much because of the work I’d put into the application and the fact that I admire the organisation and want to work with them. Over the last couple of days my brain has been kinder and fighting for me and I’ve seen new opportunities and competitions pop up that I’m going to try for. I keep looking for the chinks of light and they’re appearing. Plus I keep reminding myself that it’s the work that matters. It’s the poems I still haven’t written that matter. It’s the fact that I’ve met such an amazing group of people through poetry that matters and that they will always give me hope. Thanks again for an amazing post, Laura x
My first poetry comp win was judged by Ruth Padel (I think she's dyslexic) - it had two spelling mistakes that nobody noticed - not even me until later when another poetry editor pointed them out. Lol. I'm more likely to enter free comps or ones that offer bursaries / discounts as less of a risk - as I know I'll probably mess up my submission in one way or another. Maybe we need to ignore tiny errors as makes it fairer for people with neurodiversity/ chronic illness/ disabilities.
100% this. A standardisation of entry criteria would go a long way to helping that sector and would remove a tremendous amount of stress from entry generally.
Yet another excellent post, and with some ace suggestions for comp organisers (though recognising that these would be potentially costly and certainly time-consuming). Thank you.
You say it yourself in the opening paragraph, Clare: you already have a brilliant publisher and make a decent living from poetry. You are in that regard very much in the minority. Competitions, like it or not, are often the only way for the totally unknown or those struggling with visibility to make a leap that would otherwise be totally impossible. They project poetry into eyelines and timelines. They provide the leap of faith that so many are literally unable to make unaided.
It is depressing that so many contests never even inform those people who entered if they were successful or not until results are published. It is even more concerning that there are massive variations in transparency as to where money actually ends up. In a world of digital literacy that many organisations are yet to fully embrace, there are so many gaps that need to be plugged and processes improved.
Of course, our own validation from the work should always be enough. The fact remains, it takes an enormous amount of mental fortitude to be able to look past failure, which is so horribly hard baked into our culture as to be both seen and considered as unacceptable. Only by failure do we learn and grow, but the mindset remains that winning is far more important than actual participation.
I think the whole culture of 'reward' in our industry requires a complete rethink.
I’d second you on the point about contests not informing people whether they’re successful or not. It really doesn’t take much to let people know if they’ve not been successful (and for what it’s worth I feel the same about fiction agents who say ‘if you haven’t heard back in x weeks, take that as a no’
Thank you so much dear Clare, articulating what so many feel. Can't afford it so I rarely enter, unless it's an org. I want to support or theme that suits a poem I really believe in. Given the 1000s of entries it's not possible, but brief feedback would compensate for a lot, I'd feel I'd learned something about the poem. Subbing, full stop is a lottery – a poem gets rejected x15, ends up receiving accolades elsewhere. Inevitably we face crushed confidence, 'I'm rubbish', and keep riding the roller coaster. I'm sifting a poetry comp for YPs & totally get the desire to contact those with important topics, but whose skill falls short. I spent ages composing this constructive rejection email for the organisers to send out, especially as I feel a duty of care to the competitors. Easy to offer advice, doesn't stop my own issues though.
Dear Poets
Thank you for sending us your work, which our panel of sifters read and considered with care. We were delighted to have so many entries this year, including those from other countries. There were a range of topics and poetic forms, so it was challenging to select a short list for the judge to consider.
Unfortunately yours did not make that list, but please try not to take it as a rejection of your work. One of our toughest challenges were poems on very important issues. However, we also had to consider how well they fitted the criteria of poetry. However passionately expressed, the technical aspect of poetry is one that takes time to learn.
It is important to read contemporary poetry, much of which can be accessed online (e.g. link). Form, line breaks, rhythm and rhyme are intrinsic to the craft. Rhyme is no longer restricted to line endings, but is still felt through vowels, consonants and creates patterns within the poem. Imagery that is surprising, rather than obvious, makes a difference. Be cautious about using overly academic or obscure words, which can seem pretentious, rather than natural speech. Learning how to ride rejection is a continual part of the journey, if you desire publication. There are helpful blogs and articles on dealing with rejection (eg links)
We wish you all the best with your work, and hope to see your poems again in the future.
What a refreshing post, written with your usual care and compassion. Sending to mags has the same effect when the rejections roll in. So I am often "a pointless writer with ugly feet"! Also when workshops are inaccessible as they are organised for during the day; this doesn't help much if you have to hold down a full time job. It's a very difficult world to break into but you and Kim make it a little easier - Kim's latest writing hours in the evening, for example, as well as honest posts like these. You have almost convinced me to enter this particular competition!!
Thanks for writing this Clare, it’s very comforting. I recently didn’t get accepted onto a programme that would’ve had a big impact on my development. My brain went straight to the “I’m not good enough”, “Why didn’t they choose me?” and “What’s the point in even trying”. This one particular rejection stung so much because of the work I’d put into the application and the fact that I admire the organisation and want to work with them. Over the last couple of days my brain has been kinder and fighting for me and I’ve seen new opportunities and competitions pop up that I’m going to try for. I keep looking for the chinks of light and they’re appearing. Plus I keep reminding myself that it’s the work that matters. It’s the poems I still haven’t written that matter. It’s the fact that I’ve met such an amazing group of people through poetry that matters and that they will always give me hope. Thanks again for an amazing post, Laura x
My first poetry comp win was judged by Ruth Padel (I think she's dyslexic) - it had two spelling mistakes that nobody noticed - not even me until later when another poetry editor pointed them out. Lol. I'm more likely to enter free comps or ones that offer bursaries / discounts as less of a risk - as I know I'll probably mess up my submission in one way or another. Maybe we need to ignore tiny errors as makes it fairer for people with neurodiversity/ chronic illness/ disabilities.
100% this. A standardisation of entry criteria would go a long way to helping that sector and would remove a tremendous amount of stress from entry generally.
Yet another excellent post, and with some ace suggestions for comp organisers (though recognising that these would be potentially costly and certainly time-consuming). Thank you.
You say it yourself in the opening paragraph, Clare: you already have a brilliant publisher and make a decent living from poetry. You are in that regard very much in the minority. Competitions, like it or not, are often the only way for the totally unknown or those struggling with visibility to make a leap that would otherwise be totally impossible. They project poetry into eyelines and timelines. They provide the leap of faith that so many are literally unable to make unaided.
It is depressing that so many contests never even inform those people who entered if they were successful or not until results are published. It is even more concerning that there are massive variations in transparency as to where money actually ends up. In a world of digital literacy that many organisations are yet to fully embrace, there are so many gaps that need to be plugged and processes improved.
Of course, our own validation from the work should always be enough. The fact remains, it takes an enormous amount of mental fortitude to be able to look past failure, which is so horribly hard baked into our culture as to be both seen and considered as unacceptable. Only by failure do we learn and grow, but the mindset remains that winning is far more important than actual participation.
I think the whole culture of 'reward' in our industry requires a complete rethink.
I’d second you on the point about contests not informing people whether they’re successful or not. It really doesn’t take much to let people know if they’ve not been successful (and for what it’s worth I feel the same about fiction agents who say ‘if you haven’t heard back in x weeks, take that as a no’
Thank you so much dear Clare, articulating what so many feel. Can't afford it so I rarely enter, unless it's an org. I want to support or theme that suits a poem I really believe in. Given the 1000s of entries it's not possible, but brief feedback would compensate for a lot, I'd feel I'd learned something about the poem. Subbing, full stop is a lottery – a poem gets rejected x15, ends up receiving accolades elsewhere. Inevitably we face crushed confidence, 'I'm rubbish', and keep riding the roller coaster. I'm sifting a poetry comp for YPs & totally get the desire to contact those with important topics, but whose skill falls short. I spent ages composing this constructive rejection email for the organisers to send out, especially as I feel a duty of care to the competitors. Easy to offer advice, doesn't stop my own issues though.
Dear Poets
Thank you for sending us your work, which our panel of sifters read and considered with care. We were delighted to have so many entries this year, including those from other countries. There were a range of topics and poetic forms, so it was challenging to select a short list for the judge to consider.
Unfortunately yours did not make that list, but please try not to take it as a rejection of your work. One of our toughest challenges were poems on very important issues. However, we also had to consider how well they fitted the criteria of poetry. However passionately expressed, the technical aspect of poetry is one that takes time to learn.
It is important to read contemporary poetry, much of which can be accessed online (e.g. link). Form, line breaks, rhythm and rhyme are intrinsic to the craft. Rhyme is no longer restricted to line endings, but is still felt through vowels, consonants and creates patterns within the poem. Imagery that is surprising, rather than obvious, makes a difference. Be cautious about using overly academic or obscure words, which can seem pretentious, rather than natural speech. Learning how to ride rejection is a continual part of the journey, if you desire publication. There are helpful blogs and articles on dealing with rejection (eg links)
We wish you all the best with your work, and hope to see your poems again in the future.
What a refreshing post, written with your usual care and compassion. Sending to mags has the same effect when the rejections roll in. So I am often "a pointless writer with ugly feet"! Also when workshops are inaccessible as they are organised for during the day; this doesn't help much if you have to hold down a full time job. It's a very difficult world to break into but you and Kim make it a little easier - Kim's latest writing hours in the evening, for example, as well as honest posts like these. You have almost convinced me to enter this particular competition!!