[Christopher Whitby]

I realise I have only some 10 days to try my hand at the Nemerov again, but I have an issue and wondered about other people's thoughts.

Last January I was informed that I was a finalist with 'Check-Up' and consequently signed away first North American serial rights to Measure on the understanding it would be published along with the other finalists in the Spring issue. At the end of June William Baer responded to an enquiry to say that the Spring issue was delayed. As far as I can tell from the Measure website it has still not been published.

Apart from being keen to read the other finalists, I am irritated by the sonnet still being stuck in an unpublished limbo (fortunately I still have UK rights).

I am:
a) considering whether I wish to enter the Nemerov this year and have any other hitherto unpublished sonnet (by virtue of submission counting amongst what I consider my better work) consigned to an oubliette again;

b) wondering whether I can claim that the NAS rights on 'Check-Up' have now expired – are they in perpetuity until publication happens (if ever) or is there a commonly agreed expiry time such as 9 or 12 months?

c) NAS aside, does the 'unpublished' rule for entry into any competition last until the announcement of results or can one interpret the rule as simply that it must be unpublished at the time of entry – courtesy suggests the former, but unless specified, the latter is a justifiable interpretation of a simple 'entries must be unpublished' statement that does not add 'and must remain so until the results are announced'?

I sort of feel now that 'Check-Up' has been falsely imprisoned. I signed off NAS on the basis of a promise – it was a deal.

[Catherine Chandler]

Christopher:

Not to worry. One of my poems was also a finalist, and I was a little concerned I hadn't received the journal. I thought perhaps it was lost in the mail! So, last week I emailed Bill Baer for an update. He replied almost immediately that he had talked to the editors of Measure (Rob and Paul) and was told they’re running behind because Paul’s become the new department chair and Rob’s taken over the university’s World Culture Program. He suspects the issue will be out in a couple of months – maybe as a double issue.

I hope this puts your mind at ease. It did mine. And I sent in two sonnets.

Good luck!

Cathy