Writing the Life Poetic

The Darkened Temple is a haunting, lyrical must-read

Mari L'Esperance's stunning debut poetry collection, The Darkened Temple, is one of my favorite poetry collections of 2008! Winner of the Prairie Schooner Book Prize, The Darkened Temple explores the haunting disappearance of a mother and the resonance of loss throughout history, folklore and the natural world.

With the balm of lyric, visceral imagery, L'Esperance makes palpable the hollowed and hallowed places she excavates. This book is so imbued with spirit that I can almost hear the echoes and taste the dust of the darkened temple as I read. I paradoxically find myself uplifted by the authority of L'Esperance's gorgeous language, the graciousness of her gaze--even as I mourn alongside the speaker the crossing that mother and daughter are not able to make.

The Darkened Temple encompasses both the vulnerability and resilience of the human spirit. I highly recommend that you experience it for yourself!

Wendy Burt-Thomas talks about "The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters"

Ever wondered if you need a query, why they're important and how to write one that gets you the assignment? Now there's a book that gives you all the answers you need: "The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters."  The following Q & A with its author Wendy Burt-Thomas gives you the inside scoop on query writing and some great tips for publishing success.

1. Q: Can you tell us about your book?
The book was a great fit for me because I'd been teaching "Breaking Into Freelance Writing" for about eight years. In the workshop, I covered a lot of what is in this book: writing query letters to get articles in magazines, to land an agent, or to get a book deal with a publisher. Since I'm a full-time freelance magazine writer and editor with two previous books, this was incredibly fun to write because it didn't require tons of research. I was lucky enough to receive lots of great sample query letters from writers and authors that I use as "good" examples in the book. I wrote all the "bad" examples myself because I didn't dare ask for contributions that I knew I'd be ripping apart!

In addition to the ins and outs of what makes a good query, the book covers things like why (or why not) to get an agent, where to find one and how to choose one; writing a synopsis or proposal; selling different rights to your work; other forms of correspondence; and what editors and agents look for in new writers.

It was really important to me that the book not be a dry, boring reference book, but rather an entertaining read (while still being chock full of information). I was thrilled that Writer's Digest let me keep all the humor.

2. Q: Why are query letters so important?
Breaking into the publishing world is hard enough right now. Unless you have a serious "in" of some kind, you really need a great query letter to impress an agent or acquisitions editor. Essentially, your query letter is your first impression. If they like your idea (and voice and writing style and background), they'll either request a proposal, sample chapters, or the entire manuscript. If they don't like your query letter, you've got to pitch it to another agency/publisher. Unlike a manuscript, which can be edited or reworked if an editor thinks it has promise, you only get one shot with your query. Make it count!

I see a lot of authors who spend months (or years) finishing their book, only to rush through the process of crafting a good, solid query letter. What a waste! If agents/editors turn you down based on a bad query letter, you've blown your chance of getting them to read your manuscript. It could be the next bestseller, but they'll never see it. My advice is to put as much effort into your query as you did your book. If it's not fabulous, don't send it until it is.

3. Q: You're also a magazine editor. What is your biggest gripe regarding queries?
Queries that show that the writer obviously hasn't read our publication. I'll admit that I did this when I was a new writer too – submitted blindly to any publication whose name sounded even remotely related to my topic. One of the examples I use was when I submitted a parenting article to a magazine for senior citizens. Oops! A well-written query pitching an article that's not a match for the magazine isn't going to get you any further than a poorly written query.

4. Q: There's an entire chapter in the book about agents. Do you think all new writers should get agents?
Probably 99% of new writers should get an agent. There are lots of reasons, but my top three are: 1) Many of the larger publishing houses won't even look at unagented submissions now; 2) Agents can negotiate better rights and more money on your behalf; 3) Agents know the industry trends, changes and staff better than you ever could. 

5. Q: You've been a mentor, coach or editor for many writers. What do you think is the most common reason that good writers don't get published?
Poor marketing skills. I see so many writers that are either too afraid, too uniformed, or frankly, too lazy, to market their work. They think their job is done when the write "the end" but writing is only half of the process. I've always told people who took my class that there are tons of great writers in the world who will never get published. I'd rather be a good writer who eats lobster than a great writer who eats hot dogs. I make a living as a writer because I spend as much time marketing as I do writing.

6. Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions that writers have about getting a book deal?
That they'll be rich overnight, that they don't need to promote their book once it's published, that publishing houses will send them on world book tours, that people will recognize them at the airport. Still, you can make great money as an author if you're prepared to put in the effort. If it wasn't possible, there wouldn't be so many full-time writers.

7. Q: What must-read books do you recommend to new writers?
Christina Katz (author of "Writer Mama") has a new book out called "Get Known Before the Book Deal" - which is fabulous. Also, Stephen King's "On Writing" and David Morrell's "Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing." Anything by Anne Lamott or my Dad, Steve Burt.

8. Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned as a full-time writer?
Seize every opportunity - especially when you first start writing. I remember telling someone about a really high-paying writing gig I got and he said, "Wow. You have the best luck!" I thought, "Luck has nothing to do with it! I've worked hard to get where I am." Later that week I read this great quote: "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." It's absolutely true. And writing queries is only about luck in this sense. If you're prepared with a good query and/or manuscript, when the opportunity comes along you'll be successful.

9. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Writing the "bad" query letters. I've read – and written! – so many horrible ones over the years that it was a little too easy to craft them. But misery loves company and we ALL love to read really bad query letters, right?

10. Q: What do you want readers to learn from your book?
I want them to understand that while writing a good query letter is important, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can break it down into parts, learn from any first-round rejections, and read other good queries to help understand what works. I also want them to remember that writing is fun. Sometimes new writers get so caught up in the procedures that they lose their original voice in a query. Don't bury your style under formalities and to-the-letter formatting.

Wendy Burt-Thomas is a full-time freelance writer, editor and copywriter with more than 1,000 published pieces. Her third book, "The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters" hits stores December 2008. To learn more about Wendy or her three books, visit www.GuideToQueryLetters.com. If you have a writing-related question, you can post it on http://AskWendy.wordpress.com.

Balance

By Dan Raphael

My son, who lived in this house 26 years
went to new zealand 3 weeks ago and
“met more awesome people than I thought possible.”

My cat of 7 years was used in a tug of war
by two pit bulls, still alive with open abdomen
had to be separated from her pain

Where is my synthesis
the middle is whetstone, the edges connect the stars in untranslatable ways
Whaze
amazed, bemused, commuted, demoted

My cat in new zealand
my son racing ferraris
the dog I never had cant text with his nose
Alaska thinks california moved to oregon so im being kamchatkaed by wind from the wrong direction
as if the ocean wasn’t between us, the bering zipper closing unexpectedly
the ring of fire now underwater borealii—
 This isnt about heat but electromagnetism
not about too much trying to occupy the same space
but learning how we hold together where everywhere is open, anyone can get credit,
if I like the way you walk you can represent me in congress
if you see the mountain smile prepare for hot and heavy

I understand “before” and “hour” but what do you mean by “darkest” and “dawn”

[approaching winter solstice, 2008]

dan raphael performs his poetry throughout the northwest (including January 15th @ Powell's on Hawthorne.) His 1985 book, Bop Grit Storm Cafe, had just been re-issued. Recent poems of his can be found in Portland Review, Knock Journal, Otoliths, Unlikely Stories and the Writer's Dojo.

[Reprinted with permission of the poet.]

Poetry for the People email class starts March 11

Have you always wanted to write a poem but didn’t know how to begin? Maybe you’re already writing poetry and want to connect with your muse more often or brush up on your poetic prowess? Poetry for the People takes poetry off of its academic pedestal, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Facilitated by award-winning poet Sage Cohen, Poetry for the People will introduce new ways of expressing yourself in poetry and appreciating the poetry you read. Each week’s lesson will include a mix of:

• Inspiration: sample, published poems that illustrate the topic of the week
• Craft tips: simple instruction about image, sound, rhythm, metaphor, etc.
• Exercises: process and content prompts to get you writing
• Publication ideas: tips about how and where to submit your work for publication

You’ll be inspired (but not required) to write a poem a day!

Weekly assignments include a poem and check-in. At weeks two, four and six, you’ll provide brief feedback about classmates’ work. The instructor offers personal attention throughout the six weeks by answering questions for the entire class, just like a traditional, “live” class. Three detailed reviews of your poems-in-progress are included at weeks two, four and six: you choose one of your pieces for instructor critique each time. Because of the high volume of student productivity, the instructor does not critique each and every student submission, but she does share them with the entire class.

Duration:

Six lessons with six assignments completed in six weeks

Dates:

• Starts March 11, 2009
• Look for Level 2 Coming Soon!

Cost: $199.00

Duration:

Six lessons with six assignments completed in six weeks

Prerequisites:

This class is for people at any level of poetry writing experience. You must be able to receive and create Microsoft Word documents to participate. The instructor will send a personal introduction request form after your registration is confirmed and a class evaluation when the class is complete.

Class Materials:

The instructor provides class materials via e-mail in the form of Mirosoft Word documents on start date of class, so students must be able to read and create MSW docs to participate. Students will provide a jpeg photo/headshot and a one-paragraph introduction the week prior to the class start date. It's a voluntary but fun way to “meet” your classmates!

About Sage Cohen:

Sage Cohen is the author of Writing the Life Poetic, forthcoming from Writer’s Digest Books, and the poetry collection Like the Heart, the World. Her poetry and essays appear in journals and anthologies including Cup of Comfort for Writers, Oregon Literary Review, Greater Good and VoiceCatcher. In 2006, she won first prize in the Ghost Road Press annual poetry contest. Sage holds an MA in creative writing from New York University where she was awarded a New York Times Foundation fellowship.

What Former Students Say:

Instructor Rating: 10. I know that the scale was from one to five--but Sage is that good. The written materials were supurb (I’m looking forward to the book) and Sage was extraordinarily supportive.

~ Sue E.

I was skeptical that I could find any space on my manic to do list for poetry. But Sage helped me see all the poetry around me —just waiting to find it’s place on the page.

~ Amie H.

"I know it isn't easy to teach—and I suspect that it's pretty difficult to teach poetry, in particular. Sage Cohen just makes it look easy! She's knowledgeable, approachable, and has an uncommonly useful way of commenting on the poems her students submit."

~ Erika D.

Register Now!

Questions? Contact Sage Cohen at sage@sagesaidso.com.

Two new contests from Meridian

Prose Poem Postcard Prize Contest. Entry fee: $3.50. Entries should be 1-2 prose poems, each of which must be able to fit onto a standard-size postcard (roughly 100 to 280 words ... a few more if you don't mind a small font). The winning prose poem will be printed on postcards and distributed by Meridian at the 2009 AWP Conference in Chicago. The winner will also receive $100, 100 postcards, and 100 stamps. All entries must be submitted electronically by midnight, December 10, 2008 on www.manuscripthub.com. Create a login if you don't have one and then look for our postcard contest under the Meridian section. ManuscriptHub links the submission to your contact information, so there is no need to put your name or address on the submission itself. You can view last year's winner here.
 
The Editors' Prize Contest is now accepting entries, with $1,000 awarded in fiction and poetry. The entry fee is $16, which includes a reading of your work, a subscription to Meridian, and a chance at the $1,000 prize. All entries from the U.S. will receive a one-year, two-issue subscription to Meridian; entries from outside the U.S. will receive only the prize issue (Spring/Summer 2008) due to additional mailing costs. All entries (and entry fees) should be submitted electronically through www.manuscripthub.com. The deadline for this year's contest is midnight, January 7, 2009. Poets can upload four poems per entry. Fiction writers may submit one story of 10,000 words or fewer per entry. Please do NOT put your name on the work you submit so that it stays "blind" to our readers. ManuscriptHub links the submission to your contact information, so there is no need to put your name or address on the submission itself.
 
ELIGIBILITY RULES FOR BOTH CONTESTS:

• UVA alumni who graduated before June 2007 may enter the contests.
• Current UVA students, staff, and faculty are NOT eligible.
• Former Meridian staff are not eligible. (If you've been on our masthead, don't enter.)
• Friends, relatives, and former teachers and students of current Meridian staff or its advisor are not eligible.
• Current subscribers may enter the Editors' Prize Contest for the same $16 fee. Your subscription will be extended by one year (and you will remain, as always, one of our favorite people in the world, even if you get treated like everyone else for the purposes of the contest).