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Dropping in on Ruth Daigon

© Kay Day

I've interviewed a number of famous poets. Ruth Daigon always offers exceptional insight to the nuts and bolts of poetry. That's only one of the reasons we're featuring this poet for a second time. We had an opportunity to quiz Ruth by email. Take a look at what makes one of our century's most prolific and high profile poets tick.

Q: When I do seminars, one of the things most beginning poets are interested in is publishing. Can you offer any tips that might help someone to break into publishing?

A: What I would suggest to someone who wanted to break into publishing is first to get familiar with as many magazines as possible.... research bookstores... your local library... or go to the closest university library... talk to the librarian in charge of magazines. ..she can be of help ... OR ...go on the WEB.

Use your search engine to locate the Electronic Poetry Center. There you will find very comprehensive lists of both electronic and print magazines. They're even alphabetized. Choose the publication you might be interested in. Visit the WEB site and look at the kind of poetry this magazine publishes.

You can do the same in your book store and library. Spend plenty of time getting familiar with the different types of magazines, and then see where your poetry might fit in. When you finally decide to send your poetry, don't send more than 3 or 4 poems, and don't send a long personal letter or get chummy with the editor. Editors get lots of mail and they're not interested in your "whys" or "wherefores".

As a matter of fact most publications have very clear directions on submissions. Also, it's a good idea to keep track of what you sent and to whom. Many of them don't like to see poems they've accepted appearing in another magazine, but all that comes later. ALSO when you finally send poems out don't forget to enclose your SASE (stamped and self-addressed envelope); otherwise you will never hear from anyone. Now all I can say is "Good luck!"

Q: How do you feel about the influence of the Internet on the arts?

A: The Internet has many influences on the arts, depending on who is sending and who is receiving. In poetry, your ability to familiarize yourself with dozens of poets and dozens of magazines you might never have had the chance to read or even know about... is infinite.

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