Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

Tally-Ho!

As you’ll recall, my year of blogging for Poetry Has Value reached its end a number of months ago. But that doesn’t mean I can’t continue to share my poetry submission stats with you. So here’s the report for the month of June.

Also, if you’re new to these posts, it may be helpful for you to know that I work very hard to submit my work mainly to paying venues that don’t charge fees for journal/website publication. If you’re similarly looking for paying calls and contests that don’t charge submission fees, you’re always welcome to check my monthly newsletter (and with my weekly “Monday Markets” posts on this blog). And if you’d like to know more about how, generally speaking, I choose where to send my work, this Literary Hub essay remains a good standby.

On with the June report:

Venues to Which I Submitted Poetry and Total Poems Submitted: (11) Alyss (4 poems), Christian Century (2 poems), The Cresset (5 poems), Day One (1 poem), Jewish Action (1 poem), Jewish Currents (Jewish New Year supplement; 3 poems), Jewish Journal (3 poems), Moment (5 poems), Rattle (1 poem for “Poets Respond”), The Sun (5 poems), Threepenny Review (5 poems)

Rejections Received: (10) Baltimore Review, Christian Century, Common Good Books Poetry Contest (wasn’t informed, but checked website for winners), Lehrhaus, Maine Review, Outlook Springs, Rattle, Slice, Threepenny Review, Tishman Review

Acceptances: (2) Jewish Currents (1), Moment (1)

Publications: (1) “Unsolved Mysteries of Samson and Delilah” (ReformJudaism.org)

Money Spent: $0

Money Earned: $35 (payment received for earlier Jewish Journal publication)

June TOTAL: $35

Total Money Spent in 2017: $0

Total Money Earned in 2017: $260

2017 TOTAL: $260

Total Submissions in 2017: 55 (“packets”)

Total Rejections in 2017: 44

Residency Rejection

Remember that residency I applied for back in April?

Well, the decision arrived this week.

And it was negative. (I didn’t count it in the “rejection” category above, since, at this point, I tend to focus on rejections specifically for publication in these tallies. Also—it’s technically a JULY rejection. But plenty of people include rejections for grants, residencies, fellowships, and so on in their tabulations. And counting this one would certainly help me advance toward that lofty goal of 100 rejections per year, minimum!)

At least I didn’t spend $25, $30, or more to apply….

And Furthermore:

In case I still needed cheering-up after that rejection, I have a lot of great things ahead in July to look forward to.

Including a long-awaited trip to the theater.

So that’s the latest from here. How are all of you?

4 thoughts on “Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

  1. Erika,
    I love reading these reports. They inspire me. A word about residencies: I’ve been led to believe nobody gets in the first time, so take heart. Congrats on the Hamilton tickets!
    Barbara

    1. Erika Dreifus says:

      Thanks, Barb. Have to confess that I really enjoy writing these updates, too. So interesting to see my own path this way.

  2. Hi Erica
    Why do you need Residency? Best place to write is home.
    Best Wishes
    Walerian Domanski
    Detroit

    1. Erika Dreifus says:

      Well, residencies can be nice, too!

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