Rejection and Publication

Depending on the popularity and circulation of the magazine, it can take over six weeks to receive a response from the editors. The Atlantic, for example, receives over 75,000 unsolicited poems a year. On average, a single issue of The Atlantic may contain three poems, so the likelihood of being accepted by the publication is less than one percent. In dealing with rejection, Witek offers some consolation: “Dry your tears. Everyone gets rejected… What one learns to look for are those rare rejections that ask for more poems-oftentimes those people aren’t kidding and are waiting for you to knock their socks off.”

Magazines usually pay poets either in cash (per line) or in copies of the publication. According to the article “Ask the Editor” on the Poet & Writers’ website, this payment covers first serial rights to publish the poem. After about 60 to 90 days, the poet may republish her work. It is important that the poet understand that first serial rights do not mean all rights, because if the poet signs over all rights in her contract, she may have to pay the magazine to republish her work elsewhere.

“You have to keep putting your work and yourself out there,” Stetson’s Witek continues, “The lone scribbler is just that—a romantic fiction for non-writers.”