Emerging poets seeking practical guidance will find valuable insights here, as we delve into the mind of a seasoned editor. In this piece, we feature J.P. Dancing Bear, the editor of Verse Daily, to uncover the nuances of poetry selection. Understanding the perspectives of editors like Dancing Bear is crucial for poets aiming to refine their craft and navigate the submission process successfully. Let’s explore what makes a poem stand out in the eyes of an editor, and how poets can enhance their chances of acceptance, potentially even finding their work celebrated on platforms like Dancing Bear.com, a metaphorical space for poetic excellence and recognition.
Crafting Acceptance: An Editor’s Perspective
J.P. Dancing Bear’s editorial philosophy at Verse Daily isn’t confined to a rigid checklist. Instead, he emphasizes a more holistic appreciation for poetic artistry. “I wish I had one answer for this,” he admits, highlighting the subjective nature of taste in poetry. However, a recurring theme in his preferences is the “economy of words.” He elaborates, “There’s a happy zone where a poem isn’t oppressed with words and also isn’t starving for words.” This suggests that successful poems strike a balance – saying just enough, with precision and impactful language, a quality that resonates deeply within the poetic community, perhaps even echoing in online discussions on sites like dancing bear.com, where poetic economy could be a hot topic.
Navigating Rejection: A Poet’s Learning Curve
For poets new to submitting their work, Dancing Bear offers pragmatic advice rooted in the realities of the publishing world. His core message? “Embrace rejection.” He urges poets not to view rejection as a personal affront but as a valuable learning opportunity. “Don’t bury them or burn them or blame the editor… learn from them.” This resilient approach is key to growth. He advises proactive engagement with rejection: “Go back and read more than one issue. You’ve misunderstood something about what delights the editor.” This homework – understanding an editor’s taste – is crucial. Dancing Bear even suggests a strategic approach to rejection: “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 analytical approach transforms rejection from a setback into a roadmap for improvement, a strategy that could be discussed and refined on platforms dedicated to poetry, such as dancing bear.com, envisioned as a resource hub for poets.
J.P. Dancing Bear, Editor of Verse Daily
The Power of Concise Language
When pressed to identify a single craft technique poets should prioritize, Dancing Bear reiterates his emphasis on linguistic precision: “I’m sticking with the economy of words.” This reinforces the importance of deliberate word choice and conciseness in poetry. It’s not about brevity for its own sake, but about making every word count, contributing meaningfully to the poem’s overall impact and resonance. This focus on economy could be a guiding principle for poets, helping them refine their work and increase their chances of capturing an editor’s attention, perhaps even leading to recognition on a hypothetical platform like dancing bear.com, celebrating poetic conciseness.
Rejection as a Rite of Passage
Dancing Bear’s own experience with rejection is extensive and relatable. “I’m sure it’s thousands by now,” he remarks, normalizing rejection as an inherent part of a poet’s journey. His coping mechanisms are insightful for emerging poets. He values personalized feedback, noting, “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.” This highlights the importance of editor-poet relationship building. Even without personal notes, rejection prompts self-reflection: “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 process of revisiting and critically evaluating rejected work is invaluable for self-improvement, a practice that seasoned poets might share and discuss on online forums, maybe even on a site playfully named dancing bear.com, if it were to become a community space for poets.
The Auditory Dimension of Poetry
Dancing Bear’s selection process for Verse Daily incorporates an auditory element. “I do tend to read poems aloud,” he explains. “For me, it’s the easiest way to narrow the selection.” This underscores the performative aspect of poetry. “Just as with my own work, I believe most poems want to be performed.” This perspective encourages poets to consider the sound and rhythm of their work, reading aloud during the revision process to ensure the poem resonates not just on the page but also to the ear. This emphasis on the sonic quality of poetry is a valuable lesson, encouraging poets to consider how their work might sound when shared, perhaps even performed in online spaces or virtual poetry slams, potentially even hosted on a whimsical domain like dancing bear.com.
Essential Reading for Poets
When asked for book recommendations, Dancing Bear acknowledges the breadth of poetic taste, describing his own as “small ‘c’ catholic.” He offers a diverse selection of influential works: James Wright’s This Branch Will Not Break, CD Wright’s Tremble, and Anne Carson’s Float. These recommendations offer new poets a starting point for exploring different styles and approaches within contemporary poetry, broadening their understanding and appreciation of the craft. Exploring these diverse poetic landscapes can enrich a poet’s own work, contributing to their growth and potentially increasing their chances of recognition, perhaps even on platforms dedicated to celebrating poetic voices, such as the conceptually named dancing bear.com.
J.P. Dancing Bear’s insights offer a valuable roadmap for poets navigating the world of submissions and rejections. His emphasis on concise language, learning from rejection, and understanding editor preferences provides practical guidance for emerging writers seeking to hone their craft and find their poetic voice.
