[James Brancheau]

I've always balked at that, Roger. I suppose that's stupid, but at places with a certain reputation, like Measure, I feel funny about that. So, I guess, my advice is just to trust that the poem is still forthcoming. That's been my experience (as frustrating as that can be.)

[Mark McDonnell]

Thanks James,

that's all good, calming advice. And thanks for the congrats!

Roger - Like James said, really. I thought that the recent edition might have been last ever, but wasn't sure, so I didn't want to email saying 'hey! where's my poem?' Pathetic I know. I didn't realise it was the penultimate one. So I thought I'd ask the hive-mind instead.

Cheers folks!

Edit: and thanks Jim! I'll PM it you

[Roger Slater]

I respectfully disagree with James. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking Measure if the poem that they already accepted is going to be published. That wouldn't be a nagging sort of inquiry in the least, and there's absolutely no reason to feel funny about it.

(In fact, I just remembered that I inquired about my one poem in Measure since the issue was extremely late. I simply asked them if I had somehow missed the issue or if it was still upcoming. I asked politely, they responded politely).

[Mark McDonnell]

Oh, totally Roger! I've no doubt you're right, so it isn't really a matter of agreement/disagreement. I should. I just need to grow a pair of poetry balls (I can't speak for James)

And on that image, I thank you all.

[James Brancheau]

We don't completely disagree. My experience is that journals know what they want (at least where I submit), but in any particular issue, there are issues. Maybe it's late (more often than not), or, whatever. I've never been discarded after an acceptance. So maybe I was meek about it in the first place, but I learned not to panic. But, as I mentioned, had I not pressed about a lost response to a particular accepted poem, not sure how that would have worked out.

[Roger Slater]

I had a poem that was accepted for Light Quarterly but never appeared before the print journal folded. I think it was just an oversight, though, since they had about six of my poems in the hopper and the rest of them did appear.

In general, though, I've observed that writers have been trained somehow to think it is rude or pushy to communicate with editors, and they seem afraid of angering them somehow if they contact them. In my experience, however, editors are not at all bothered if you are not a nagging and unreasonable crackpot, but you have a reason to contact them and you do so politely.

[Nausheen Eusuf]

Originally Posted by James Brancheau

My experience is that journals know what they want (at least where I submit), but in any particular issue, there are issues.

I love that journal issues have their own issues

Mark, I would definitely send a polite inquiry -- it's totally appropriate to do so. Good luck!

Nausheen

[Catherine Chandler]

Mark, I went and asked Rob.



They are typesetting that issue right now and hope to have it to the printer in a few weeks. So maybe early March, I would think, for shipping.


BTW, Kudos on your poem!

[James Brancheau]

Never mind. Not important. Congratulations again, Mark.