The Future of Poetry Magazines

[Administrator]

Did anyone see this article on today's Guardian online about the future of poetry magazines?

Any thoughts?

blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/05/the_future_of_poetry_magazines.html

[silverfox]

Hmm, it's interesting, as I was speaking to Colin about how to go forward with the Speech Therapy mag. and if anything, this will help my arguement that going online would indeed open up a revenue of new readers, and of course an increase in interest about the local poetry scene outside of Northern Ireland!

But thats something that is for him to decide. As regards this article, and the above statement, here's my viewpoint. On-line if anything is just another tool to get people reading. and having a printed version for people if they want it is up to them. and what harm could that do? If anything, it will help smaller publishers to gain a voice in a rapidly shrinking world.

[pearcec]

I am somewhat saddened to see poetry be reduced to web pages; Facebook, Bebo and the like. There is surely nothing more satisfying than discovering some hidden gem in a printed pamphlet or book. Having always enjoyed poetry in print form, it often does not seem as inspirational when it is read from a screen. However, I can rejoice in the fact that poetry is still alive and is being carried into the next generation. After all, however we feel about this 'digital revolution', is surely no different to how many might have felt when poetry was first put into print. We are simply utilising the tools of our time. And it seems poetry magazines will still very much have a say in modern literature.

[silverfox]

I agree that the printed word is often much more pleasurible a read than stuck in front of a computer screen. But thats the beauty of books in general, they allow you to wrap yourself away from the mundane bus/train travel.

But like I said, having a presence online will allow the poetry to be more accessible. with the option of a print copy to be availible I can't see how this kind of thing could be bad?

[Administrator]

Whenever I read online I have to stop every so often as it's not very relaxing. When I read a book it's the opposite.

I think it'll be a case in the future of magazines doing both online and physical distribution to cater for the differing tastes. Reading for me is a private thing, in that though I can do it in public it is about my relationship with the text, so in terms of format I feel it's each to their own.

When poetry appears on facebook etc it does feel very temporary and disposable. That may be because it's ususally surrounded by adds for dating and "who thinks you're cute" links etc.

Plus if you're published it's nice to show someone the book rather than give them a URL. Also when I'm published I like to read through the magazine and read the work of the other contributors If I was only published online I'd be less inclined to do this because of how I process information when I'm online.

While I'm at it, here's some links to some of my stuff online:

www.poetrymagazines.org.uk/magazine/record.asp?id=16585
www.poetrymagazines.org.uk/magazine/record.asp?id=16587

[pearcec]

Today, anyone can publish their work on the internet and instantly have people read. It seems that everyones a writer and a critic these days!

[chris]

I thought about this a lot..
The issues seem to be disemination and communication:

1. Internet usage of original materials can lead to all sorts of crap and ultimately
deep disatisfaction, especially if ye are hung up on copyright (intellectual property
rights issues). it can also be a useful tool to get across ideas to people and I know
some whom have given years of time using this means to provoke and antagonise.
Being aware that once something is published on the net it can and does preclude
entry into some competitions , how and ever publishing something that
goes through metamorphoses and change in copies or mss form is to me more
satisying. Awareness of the possibilities of the net is a good beginning point.

2. The second point is related to the first, I was left a box of books that are
virtually unobtainable anywhere in Ireland , but people can access the writers
online, so I provide introductory paragraphs as 'tasters' and it opens out
interest in writers, which cannot be a bad thing.

One thing also regarding net spread of the printed word: there have been specific problems
with the net especially with regard to the spreading of bad (nutse) translations of
writers on sites that claim they are 'official'. There is an industrial component to
what can become a mass industry.

I put a link on the blog to the PEN (UK) pages on 'Translation and Linguistic Rights'
which is important to read from point of view of artist and collaborator.
poethead.wordpress.com (Translation and Linguistic Rights)
and a Thread on poetry ireland re Nagy : www.poetryireland.ie/forum

(Some bad translations of Agnes Nemes Nagy have been doing the rounds, which
does a disservice to both her work and intent).
regards,
C Murray.

[stephen]

Interesting article, thanks for posting the link Admin.

I have to say, I suffer the same problems as Admin. When I read online I find that my attention drifts. I prefer a book. Thats not to say there aren't benefits to the net...I think Chris has highlighted the strong points, and as Admin also says, the future will probably see magazines publishing online and book form.

I've only been writing for a few years, and to be honest was quite lucky. I sent some poems to a magazine, and it turned out they were on a sabbatical so the poems were returned. I ask the editor for some advice on where to send work and her reply was fantastic. She highlighted the pitfalls, made me aware of magazine the may have been cliquey, and suggested places for publication. I think that for an aspiring/despairing writer this input was crucial.

I've had relative success with my work thus far, though if played pretty safe choosing publications that were getting on their feet or less established. Also, living in Catalonia, I've limited myself to e-mail submissions.

As said in the article, in these 'lesser' magazines there are some gems out there.

[colindardis]

pdf files... download and print out your own booklet (with booklet making instructions and cover artwork), or read from screen via Adobe. As I'm a bit of a technophobe I don't know much about this, but it's a possibility worth considering...