I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks. I and a few other writers I know are very business-minded and ask ourselves questions about how the industry is set up all the time. One of the reasons it can be difficult to innovate is because the publishing industry is often so opaque. Good for you for trying a new model. I wish you the best of luck!
Very interesting take - and quite true . Loved that you used the term ‘shit tonne’ - I always knew ‘shit tonne’ was a bonafide measurement for the otherwise unquantifiable.
Haha oh boy now I wish I’d spelled it like that too. And thank you so much for siding with us, though I’d thank you even if you didn’t. One of the best things about being a part of a lit community is actually being able to discuss, disagree and still end up with the just same amount of people who love literature in all its crazy and cool forms.
I wish you best of luck. I personally think "for profit" is the best approach. I've been self employed most of my adult life operating a very small, mostly one person business. (not as a writer) I'm new to the writing community and find the cogs of it very strange. The first thing I noticed is writers seem to write for other writers and self promotion is shunned by most writers. A "lit mag" is a product and most products a sold thru a sales staff. I was in the book store the other day and it was busy. There's a used book store in my area that is like a mini warehouse so there are readers out there. It's seems used books are not cheap and maybe provide a good avenue for profit. (are they selling? I don't know) My question would be —does the general population know how to find a lit mag? Writers certainly do. I think your courageous and wish you both the best there are readers out there and finding them may be the key.
Gerry, I’m thrilled the piece spoke to you. Thank you for sharing about your own experience with the “for profit” side of things. One question you ask here is especially pertinent: does the general population know how to find a lit mag? I absolutely love this line of thinking and feel it is invaluable to the mission we’ve undertaken here. Honestly, I’d even go far as to say: does the general population KNOW what a lit mag IS? This is not at all intended as a condescending question. I do not think writers or lit mag readers are by any means somehow better than the “general population”. Instead, I actually feel that as writers and lit mag readers we are the ones failing to connect with the beautiful world of readers and thinkers and artists of all stripes out there. I must sincerely thank you again for this comment because it’s something I’ll be thinking about seriously this week. Might even do a poll of the “general population” in my life and at my university to get some “real life results.” When I do, I’ll be sure to write about that.
Very inspiring article! I can't wait to submit a bunch of poems to you. I think you're going to succeed with ONLY POEMS because of your attitude, for one thing. Thanks!
I’m so glad it stirred you up to send us poems. One of my favorite things is reading everyone’s work and cover letters. If I had infinite resources, I’d start a 100 magazines so I could publish everyone haha! Thank you 💗
I went to the site (after subscribing) but was unable to find anything on how to submit. In fact I clicked on each heading and got a response of Page Not Found for each. Did I do something wrong, or...?
How often do I think "If I had infinite resources..." The effect of how much money we have or don't have is so profound. Not having "enough" can be good, though, if it moves us to overcome the lack and come up with innovative ways of getting around it... which is what you appear to be doing. That's so admirable! Infinitely better than buying lottery tickets, as many of us do.
Thank you so much Karen, we totally need all the luck we can get. And okay wow thank you for that reminder. It is something I’ve been meaning to look into. There are various hoops connected with this too of course but still something we’ll try and explore and likely write about as we do so other lit mags and lit ventures can get a front row seat to our failures and successes (hopefully more of the latter lol)
Love what you’re doing and this article on the process of setting up a lit mag from a business perspective was super interesting! Can’t wait to see what’s next for Only Poems.
Thank you SO much Katy…encouragement like this is what seriously keeps us going. And for me, personally, it’s really important to help others in whatever little way I can find better ways to start sustainable lit mags. This will be one of the things our own Substack will focus on more as we enter 2024.
I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks. I and a few other writers I know are very business-minded and ask ourselves questions about how the industry is set up all the time. One of the reasons it can be difficult to innovate is because the publishing industry is often so opaque. Good for you for trying a new model. I wish you the best of luck!
Thank you Mariana! These questions are so important and I’m glad there are so many others asking them too. I’d love to chat more. Giving you a follow!
Great. I am more active on IG @mariana_villasboas_author
Best wishes, Shannan and Karan. You've got something good going here.
Thank you Ramesh! These kind wishes keep us going strong <3
Very interesting take - and quite true . Loved that you used the term ‘shit tonne’ - I always knew ‘shit tonne’ was a bonafide measurement for the otherwise unquantifiable.
Haha oh boy now I wish I’d spelled it like that too. And thank you so much for siding with us, though I’d thank you even if you didn’t. One of the best things about being a part of a lit community is actually being able to discuss, disagree and still end up with the just same amount of people who love literature in all its crazy and cool forms.
Good luck. We need mags like yours. The issues I have read have been great.
David Blumenfeld
Thank you David…that is very generous of you to say and I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the issues, truly.
I wish you best of luck. I personally think "for profit" is the best approach. I've been self employed most of my adult life operating a very small, mostly one person business. (not as a writer) I'm new to the writing community and find the cogs of it very strange. The first thing I noticed is writers seem to write for other writers and self promotion is shunned by most writers. A "lit mag" is a product and most products a sold thru a sales staff. I was in the book store the other day and it was busy. There's a used book store in my area that is like a mini warehouse so there are readers out there. It's seems used books are not cheap and maybe provide a good avenue for profit. (are they selling? I don't know) My question would be —does the general population know how to find a lit mag? Writers certainly do. I think your courageous and wish you both the best there are readers out there and finding them may be the key.
Gerry, I’m thrilled the piece spoke to you. Thank you for sharing about your own experience with the “for profit” side of things. One question you ask here is especially pertinent: does the general population know how to find a lit mag? I absolutely love this line of thinking and feel it is invaluable to the mission we’ve undertaken here. Honestly, I’d even go far as to say: does the general population KNOW what a lit mag IS? This is not at all intended as a condescending question. I do not think writers or lit mag readers are by any means somehow better than the “general population”. Instead, I actually feel that as writers and lit mag readers we are the ones failing to connect with the beautiful world of readers and thinkers and artists of all stripes out there. I must sincerely thank you again for this comment because it’s something I’ll be thinking about seriously this week. Might even do a poll of the “general population” in my life and at my university to get some “real life results.” When I do, I’ll be sure to write about that.
Hear hear! What an inspiring piece. It’s beyond encouraging to hear you breaking the mold. It’s about time!
This comment is beyond encouraging. 🥹 it is about time! Damn right.
Some excellent points made in this article.
Thank you Karl! Glad you agree!
Very inspiring article! I can't wait to submit a bunch of poems to you. I think you're going to succeed with ONLY POEMS because of your attitude, for one thing. Thanks!
I’m so glad it stirred you up to send us poems. One of my favorite things is reading everyone’s work and cover letters. If I had infinite resources, I’d start a 100 magazines so I could publish everyone haha! Thank you 💗
I went to the site (after subscribing) but was unable to find anything on how to submit. In fact I clicked on each heading and got a response of Page Not Found for each. Did I do something wrong, or...?
How often do I think "If I had infinite resources..." The effect of how much money we have or don't have is so profound. Not having "enough" can be good, though, if it moves us to overcome the lack and come up with innovative ways of getting around it... which is what you appear to be doing. That's so admirable! Infinitely better than buying lottery tickets, as many of us do.
Hi Denise,
The site is live and hasn’t been down at all so this is rather odd!
Please see submission details here: https://www.onlypoems.net/submit
And love your point about how not having “enough” can stir us up into creativity and innovation!
Great writing and so much to say too! I wish you well.
Thank you James! I do usually have a lot to say haha and am grateful when that hits the mark.
ONLY POEMS is off to a wonderful start!!
Thank you so much Mark! You’re one of the people we look up to.
I'm honored!
Fantastic explanation of what you're up to. Glad you're paying writers!
Thank you Patricia! We are glad too and want that amount to only ever go up.
More power to you!
Thank you Rosemary!
Good luck with your new venture! BTW, you can still apply for grants if you use a fiscal sponsor like Fractured Atlas.
Thank you so much Karen, we totally need all the luck we can get. And okay wow thank you for that reminder. It is something I’ve been meaning to look into. There are various hoops connected with this too of course but still something we’ll try and explore and likely write about as we do so other lit mags and lit ventures can get a front row seat to our failures and successes (hopefully more of the latter lol)
Love what you’re doing and this article on the process of setting up a lit mag from a business perspective was super interesting! Can’t wait to see what’s next for Only Poems.
Thank you SO much Katy…encouragement like this is what seriously keeps us going. And for me, personally, it’s really important to help others in whatever little way I can find better ways to start sustainable lit mags. This will be one of the things our own Substack will focus on more as we enter 2024.
Dear Geoffrey,
That is very kind of you, truly! You can make a donation here: paypal.me/onlypoems 💙