These days there's a plethora of poetry magazine web-zines. These are rapidly increasing in number. Long established poetry magazines and journals are in serious danger of disappearing. Postage costs and the rising cost of paper and ink are to blame.
The trend brings with it its own problems. And they are basically these: What can one do when the e-mailed newsletter or poetry 'booklet' is not, for example a straightforward Word Document?
If I can't open the document, what then? And what can I do if I don't have a computer? Or if I have a computer but don't want to download yet more software.
The answer seems to be that I should go to the library and use its computer and printer. That's what poetry journal editors like to tell me. But what if I don't live near a library or even an Internet Cafe´? What then?
Sorry Poet - maybe I am old fashioned - but nothing takes the place of a good book to hold in my hand - all the sheets downloaded from my computer bear no comparison.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame to see small presses go. I suppose the ones that will survive are those that adapt (and don't send out stuff that requires arcane software to open it)!
ReplyDeleteI think the nature of poetry (on the whole, short texts, suited to reading on a screen) means that, with the internet, the whole idea of poetry "publishing" is changing. In this new world how will criticism function? I'm thinking particularly of the first hurdle for a poet, the critical faculties of a publisher, who selects or rejects the work, but the same question might be asked about criticism as a whole.
A possible answer to your 2nd paragraph question is, seriously, why not start your own (and send out sensible files)?
Weaver, thanks. You're right. Long live the books!
ReplyDeleteCioara, Welcome and thank you.
Dominic, I'll consider your suggestion. It'll have to be a in the form of an irregular and simple blog newsletter - but maybe that's ok.