This should be required reading for every poet who has ever put themselves out there by pressing “submit.” I’m reminded of what one of my writing professors told our group of wide-eyed hopefuls in the 1980s: “If you can think of anything else to do besides being a writer, you should do that. Only be a writer because you HAVE to be.”
Many times over the decades I’ve questioned whether my poems had any merit. But I kept writing. And reading. And listening. And observing. My work has found a home in some excellent independent literary journals. My poems are happy there, living amongst friends. That’s enough.
awe thank you so much. and i was also told something similar "so you want to take college to be poor" haha. and glad you've kept writing and found wonderful nests in indie places. they are love and happiness!!!
I was lucky to have a grandmother who wrote boys’ adventure stories under a man’s name because it “just wasn’t done” in her day. She coached me to paper my walls with rejection slips - each one proves you’re a writer.
hugs to your grandmother but also what a superb grandmother to teach you the value of a rejection and that they're not the end of the world! and also yes! each rejection means you're doing your best.
I still feel her though she died in 1976. She’s out there somewhere in the ethereal plains of Wyoming, roping wild horses. Thanks for your kind words, John.
You actually can get on those lists, but it requires more than just publishing. There is a lot going on behind the scenes from title and cover to networking. I was the first indie published book to get a Stoker finalist back when self-publishing was still a bad word. Awards absolutely mean nothing for income though. They help, but if you don't leverage them they wind up being pretty paperweights. I have a few. We do write for many reasons, but we tend to publish for four. Once you know where your goal is you can head there without feeling like you lost out on anything. As a poet and lifelong writer and publisher, I wish you the best of luck. I'll go check out your book!
John, a very strong statement you have made, a call to persevere, and I was encouraged by reading what you wrote. I have never seen your work, and hope that you do have some financial success from your books of poetry. I will see what I can find. Your prose is well done, and I believe there would be a market for your work as an inspirational book for writers.
It's the awards game, or the reviews game, or the "getting something in the press game". I'm not a poet, I write genre fiction and it's the same. My publisher, a small press that releases great crime novels and story collections, puts it flatly: "the media ignores us". Won't stop me from writing, because as you say, we must.
yeap. its all a game and sorry it is the same for you. its annoying. great writers exist our of their world and they need to wake up and see us! and it is like high-school. groups who think they're better then everyone else.
Good essay, john! Wish I could say you were going to get what you deserve (in a positive sense!) but, as you note, we all learn one way or another that life is not fair.
Your passion for poetry really shines through in this post! It's so true that writing is about more than just recognition—it's about expressing something real and raw that resonates with people. The publishing world can be tough, but it’s inspiring to see you keep pushing forward and fighting for a space where everyone’s voice can be heard. Keep doing your thing, because poetry needs more people like you who are ready to change the game!
What strikes me here is your honesty. Not easy to just open the door and allow people to see what's inside. Much respect.
For myself, I'm ambivalent on awards. I won't apply for them, but if they come of themselves (he laughed) I'll thank the awarder graciously (meaning I won't hold my breath).
I suppose some writers who we've published in Thrice dislike our policy of not applying for awards on their behalf, but we've always considered that the writing is the thing. My compensation for this policy is writing to agents to introduce writers that have blown our minds to them.
Anyway, though not an expert in any way regarding poetry, I can't imagine anyone as open and honest as you comes up with anything not worth reading. Thank you.
if the poetry community were a real community and supported one another, people outside the poetry community would want to come in and see more. they’d be jealous of what we have! there is a saying that poets are the only people who read poetry, which is true because who wants to visit a place where people try to smolder each other’s energy and talent. if poetry was a place of love and acceptance, as we say we are, the world would rush into our world and you’d know that poetry is not some unreachable scary place, but a place of power and freedom, a place where voices echo off the walls and expand the landscape.
This should be required reading for every poet who has ever put themselves out there by pressing “submit.” I’m reminded of what one of my writing professors told our group of wide-eyed hopefuls in the 1980s: “If you can think of anything else to do besides being a writer, you should do that. Only be a writer because you HAVE to be.”
Many times over the decades I’ve questioned whether my poems had any merit. But I kept writing. And reading. And listening. And observing. My work has found a home in some excellent independent literary journals. My poems are happy there, living amongst friends. That’s enough.
awe thank you so much. and i was also told something similar "so you want to take college to be poor" haha. and glad you've kept writing and found wonderful nests in indie places. they are love and happiness!!!
I was lucky to have a grandmother who wrote boys’ adventure stories under a man’s name because it “just wasn’t done” in her day. She coached me to paper my walls with rejection slips - each one proves you’re a writer.
hugs to your grandmother but also what a superb grandmother to teach you the value of a rejection and that they're not the end of the world! and also yes! each rejection means you're doing your best.
I still feel her though she died in 1976. She’s out there somewhere in the ethereal plains of Wyoming, roping wild horses. Thanks for your kind words, John.
oh and she's def cheering you on! and how scenic and fun to be riding wild horses!
and youre welcome 💜💙
Great essay. It’s the writers and artists, the creative types, who keep the world livable. We must maintain our communities.
thank you! and yes yes yes!
As Borges used to say, the fact that a book has won an award doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad book.
it doesn't mean it's a good book either 😅
You actually can get on those lists, but it requires more than just publishing. There is a lot going on behind the scenes from title and cover to networking. I was the first indie published book to get a Stoker finalist back when self-publishing was still a bad word. Awards absolutely mean nothing for income though. They help, but if you don't leverage them they wind up being pretty paperweights. I have a few. We do write for many reasons, but we tend to publish for four. Once you know where your goal is you can head there without feeling like you lost out on anything. As a poet and lifelong writer and publisher, I wish you the best of luck. I'll go check out your book!
congrats on the success you had and have 🥰 and thank you and hope you enjoy the book and appreciate your thoughts 💜💙
awards to tend to get the book in more of a spotlight and ppl tend to enjoy flashy items lol
John, a very strong statement you have made, a call to persevere, and I was encouraged by reading what you wrote. I have never seen your work, and hope that you do have some financial success from your books of poetry. I will see what I can find. Your prose is well done, and I believe there would be a market for your work as an inspirational book for writers.
thank you! and some things of mine can be found here, my socials, a few poems and my books: https://linktr.ee/poetjohncompton
and glad my essay was inspiring. appreciate your reply.
It's the awards game, or the reviews game, or the "getting something in the press game". I'm not a poet, I write genre fiction and it's the same. My publisher, a small press that releases great crime novels and story collections, puts it flatly: "the media ignores us". Won't stop me from writing, because as you say, we must.
yeap. its all a game and sorry it is the same for you. its annoying. great writers exist our of their world and they need to wake up and see us! and it is like high-school. groups who think they're better then everyone else.
Good essay, john! Wish I could say you were going to get what you deserve (in a positive sense!) but, as you note, we all learn one way or another that life is not fair.
thank you! and all we can do is keep fighting! and keep yelling lol
💜💙💚💛🧡
A powerful piece for all writers.
I'm so glad you think so! thank you!!!
Thank you for reinforcing the call for all writers to reach out to each other, share, and be heard.
youre welcome 💜💙💚💛🧡
and thank you for reading and believing!
Your passion for poetry really shines through in this post! It's so true that writing is about more than just recognition—it's about expressing something real and raw that resonates with people. The publishing world can be tough, but it’s inspiring to see you keep pushing forward and fighting for a space where everyone’s voice can be heard. Keep doing your thing, because poetry needs more people like you who are ready to change the game!
thank you so very much! i am glad you seen the message and for your kind words 💙
A strong, candid, necessary piece, John. Thank you.
thank you! that means a lot to me you'd think so. you know i think the world of you so all your compliments i store in my heart hehe 💜
What strikes me here is your honesty. Not easy to just open the door and allow people to see what's inside. Much respect.
For myself, I'm ambivalent on awards. I won't apply for them, but if they come of themselves (he laughed) I'll thank the awarder graciously (meaning I won't hold my breath).
I suppose some writers who we've published in Thrice dislike our policy of not applying for awards on their behalf, but we've always considered that the writing is the thing. My compensation for this policy is writing to agents to introduce writers that have blown our minds to them.
Anyway, though not an expert in any way regarding poetry, I can't imagine anyone as open and honest as you comes up with anything not worth reading. Thank you.
if the poetry community were a real community and supported one another, people outside the poetry community would want to come in and see more. they’d be jealous of what we have! there is a saying that poets are the only people who read poetry, which is true because who wants to visit a place where people try to smolder each other’s energy and talent. if poetry was a place of love and acceptance, as we say we are, the world would rush into our world and you’d know that poetry is not some unreachable scary place, but a place of power and freedom, a place where voices echo off the walls and expand the landscape.
This is brilliant
thank yous
Superb. Yes we need to write, whatever may.
thank you and yes!!!
"ten people can read the same poem and get ten interpretations and they are all correct." love it, john! keep fighting!
thank you and thank you 💜