[Paul Lake]

Over the Christmas break, I had a poem accepted by the Australian journal Quadrant.

In the late 70's and early 80's, I published a fair number of poems in varioius journals Down Under, including Poetry Australia--far more than I was getting published in the USA. Apparently, it had its effect. In the recently published biography of Les Murray, Alexander, his biographer, listed my name among the "young Australian talent" Murray helped lauch in Poetry Australia, though I've never so much as set foot on the continent.

Well, mates, it looks like I'm baaa-aaack.

[Gregory Dowling]

Good on ya, mate! That's bonza! Now go out and get full as a boot...
Gregory

[David Landrum]

Congratulations, Paul. You are truly a citizen of the world.

dwl

[Tim Murphy]

That's great Paul. Now if only Murray would publish our Australians!

[Paul Lake]

Hey, Tim, they'd first have to emigrate to the USA so they can be genuine Aussies like me, mate.

Thanks, too, Gregory and David, for the good words. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to go eat a vegemite sandwich and chunder. My apologies for all who recognize that allusion--especially those bogus Aussies on the other side of the globe.

[Janet Kenny]

Our Australians (well this one) wrote a tart letter thanking Les for the return of the nice clean poems that seemed untouched.

Don't think I'll make it so sincere congratulations Paul.
Janet

[Paul Lake]

Keep trying, Janet. While getting published in Australia in my youth, I had a dismal record here in the USA, garnering nothing but rejections for many years from Poetry and other top magazines, which often seemed not to have even read them. At some point after years of getting good work rejected, a crack in the edifice appears and it gets a bit easier. Keep hammering till you make that crack.

[Janet Kenny]

Originally posted by Paul Lake:
Keep trying, Janet. While getting published in Australia in my youth, I had a dismal record here in the USA, garnering nothing but rejections for many years from Poetry and other top magazines, which often seemed not to have even read them. At some point after years of getting good work rejected, a crack in the edifice appears and it gets a bit easier. Keep hammering till you make that crack.

Paul,
I have been published a goodish bit in America, In Australia there are few publishers and Les Murray is the only poet/editor who counts in hard copy publishing.

There are other ethical considerations for Australians. In a smaller population politics and personalities are more exposed. There is a new general editor with whom many of us would hesitate to be associated.

I am a great admirer of Les Murray and I just might try again some day.
Janet


[This message has been edited by Janet Kenny (edited January 14, 2008).]

[Mark Allinson]

Yes, congratulations, Paul.

Well, I don't think I'll be bothering Les again, mainly because I prefer to publish now online. I offered this one to Quadrant a few years back, but I am glad it ended up in 14 by 14, where anyone might find it for years to come. There is no way a paper mag could afford the wonderful presentation of back-lit images you find in the e-mags, such as our fine pixellated Oz-mags, like 14 by 14, The Shit Creek Review and The Chimaera. They'll do me.



[This message has been edited by Mark Allinson (edited January 14, 2008).]

[Peter Coghill]

Congratulations Paul!

Quadrant is one of the few paper mags that seems relatively open to formal poems in Australia. I also have had my share of rejections from there!