I haven’t updated lately because, frankly, I’ve had quite the string of rejections and it has been getting me down.  I had a period of about six months where it seemed like I got two acceptances out of every three submission responses, and I think it made me a little cocky.  The six or seven rejections I’ve had in a row this last month or so have certainly undone any cockiness I might have been feeling, though.  I realize I need to suck it up and send it all back out again, but what I really want to do is spend some significant time writing better stuff.  A lot of these are older poems from my first MFA year, and quite honestly I think I can do better.

Of course, I may not have so much time to write better poems because…(drumroll)…I have recently been appointed to the overwhelming yet incredibly exciting position of Managing Poetry Editor of Los Angeles Review!  [*throws confetti* *sprays champagne*]  This is not only an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, but I am so thrilled and lucky to be working with the other editors there.  Everyone on the staff is really top-notch and we’re going to put out an amazing issue.  I’ve had to hit the ground running, but there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing right now.  And I will find time to write those better poems, too.  I might have to actually schedule my writing time instead of just doing it whenever.  Gasp!

Anyway, I’d like to put out a call to my fellow poets.  Send me some work that will knock my socks off, will you?  Here are the guidelines for poetry submissions:

LA Review welcomes submissions of previously unpublished poems by both well-known and up-and-coming writers.  Please submit to lareview.poetry@gmail.com 3-5 poems in a single .doc or .rtf attachment that includes your name and contact information.  Also include a cover letter and bio in the body of your email.  Simultaneous submissions are accepted if noted in the cover letter.  Kindly do not send multiple submissions.  Response time is 2-3 months.

I look forward to hearing from you!