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Obviously Anna was talented before she enrolled, and she's even pointed out that her writing style hasn't changed much since then, so why did they laugh in her face when she asked to give a reading?
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My answer would be that the person she asked was a shallow snob, and I would not want that person's approbation under any circumstances.
And yes, I do believe such things go on in po-business, which is why I choose to stay well away from it.
But when it comes to publication (and you are an editor, Rose, so you can answer): here are two poems to choose from: a brilliant piece from a retired baker, and a worthy but rather dull piece from an MFA - which do you take?
A mag choosing poems on the basis of the poet's academic qualifications would soon end up a laughing stock, I would suggest.
But then again, for as long as poetry is only being read by poets, any sort of cliquey stuff is possible, I suppose.
(Shudder).
[This message has been edited by Mark Allinson (edited November 22, 2006).]