As part of our ongoing series, Editors Talk, we delve into the minds of literary magazine editors to offer emerging poets valuable perspectives on crafting and submitting their work. Today, we are privileged to feature J.P. Dancing Bear, the esteemed editor of Verse Daily, a prominent online platform showcasing contemporary poetry. Known for his discerning taste and commitment to poetic excellence, Dancing Bear shares his insights on what catches his eye in the submissions pile and how poets can enhance their chances of acceptance.
The Essence of Acceptance: An Editor’s Craft Perspective
When asked about the defining qualities that lead to poem acceptance from a craft standpoint, J.P. Dancing Bear candidly admits the absence of a singular formula. “I wish I had one answer for this, but I don’t,” he states, highlighting the diverse aesthetic landscape of Verse Daily. However, he pinpoints “an economy of words” as a recurring element in successful submissions. He elaborates on this crucial aspect: “There’s a happy zone where a poem isn’t oppressed with words and also isn’t starving for words.” This delicate balance suggests that impactful poetry often lies in precise language and thoughtful concision, avoiding both verbosity and sparseness.
Navigating Rejection: Advice for Emerging Poets from Dancing Bear
For poets venturing into the world of submissions, rejection can feel disheartening. J.P. Dancing Bear offers pragmatic advice, urging poets to “Embrace rejection, don’t bury them or burn them or blame the editor… learn from them.” He reframes rejection not as a setback, but as a valuable learning opportunity. He encourages poets to engage deeply with the journals that reject their work: “Go back and read more than one issue. You’ve misunderstood something about what delights the editor.” This active approach to rejection transforms it into a tool for self-improvement and a guide toward understanding the nuances of editorial preferences. Dancing Bear further advises triangulation when facing multiple rejections: “If a poem is rejected by more than one editor, you can start to triangulate what is wrong with the poem if you’ve done your homework on the editor.” This strategic perspective empowers poets to identify patterns in rejection and refine their craft accordingly.
The Power of Economy: A Key Craft Technique
When prompted to identify a single craft technique poets should prioritize, J.P. Dancing Bear reiterates his emphasis on “the economy of words.” This consistent focus underscores the significance of concise and purposeful language in poetry. For Dancing Bear, and likely for Verse Daily, poems that resonate often achieve impact through carefully chosen words, avoiding unnecessary ornamentation or redundancy.
Facing the Slush Pile: Dancing Bear’s Personal Experience with Rejection
Drawing from his extensive experience in the literary world, J.P. Dancing Bear openly discusses his own encounters with rejection. “I’m sure it’s thousands by now,” he reflects, normalizing rejection as an integral part of a writer’s journey. He shares his approach to handling rejections, particularly those lacking personalized feedback. In such cases, he emphasizes the importance of further research: “If they don’t send back a personalized note, I might not submit to them for a while, because I have to read more issues, I have to get a better feeling for the editor.” For personalized rejections, Dancing Bear advocates for respectful engagement: “A personal note, I will take the time to respond back to, politely. I might wait to do so until I send them another submission (if they’ve asked for one).” Crucially, he emphasizes self-reflection as a response to rejection: “I will always go back through the submission and read it again, usually out loud. I’m looking for things I missed or things that do not sound right.” This proactive self-critique aligns with his advice to learn from rejection and continuously refine one’s work.
Curating Verse Daily: The Selection Process
Offering insight into the curatorial process at Verse Daily, J.P. Dancing Bear reveals his reliance on auditory experience: “I do tend to read poems aloud. For me, it’s the easiest way to narrow the selection.” This practice underscores the performative nature of poetry, echoing his belief that “most poems want to be performed.” Reading aloud allows Dancing Bear to assess the rhythm, flow, and sonic qualities of a poem, aspects that are crucial for a platform like Verse Daily that aims to share poems in a readily accessible format.
Influential Reads: Poetry and Craft Recommendations from J.P. Dancing Bear
When asked about essential books for new poets, J.P. Dancing Bear acknowledges the breadth of his poetic taste, describing it as “small ‘c’ catholic.” He enthusiastically recommends a selection of works that have deeply resonated with him, starting with James Wright’s This Branch Will Not Break.
J.P. Dancing Bear, editor of Verse Daily, discussing poetry acceptances and rejections.
He also highlights C.D. Wright’s Tremble and Anne Carson’s Float, stating, “I’ve read Anne Carson’s Float several times and would recommend it too! But there are so many others!” This curated list provides aspiring poets with a starting point for exploring diverse styles and approaches to poetry, guided by the recommendations of an experienced editor.
About J.P. Dancing Bear: A Poet and Editor Profile
J.P. Dancing Bear is not only the insightful editor of Verse Daily but also a prolific poet himself. He is the author of five full-length poetry collections, six chapbooks, and numerous essays. His extensive poetic output includes over 1000 individual poems published in esteemed literary magazines and anthologies such as Shenandoah, Mississippi Review, and Poetry International, among many others. His work has garnered international recognition, with recent translations into Chinese, further solidifying his influence in the contemporary poetry landscape.
In conclusion, J.P. Dancing Bear’s reflections offer invaluable guidance for poets navigating the submission process. His emphasis on economy of words, embracing rejection as a learning tool, and the importance of engaging with literary magazines provides a roadmap for aspiring poets seeking to refine their craft and connect with their readership.
