A Mini Editorial Rant

Back in 2008, I started a literary magazine called Shape of a Box via YouTube. I ran it for a little over a year and it was a great experience yet also stressful. I realized that I wasn't going to be able to continue to create a weekly video of writers who submitted their work to me, so I archived the site.

As many who edit will tell you, the editorial bug does not go away. I still had it. However, I didn't want create another literary magazine that was like every other one out there. And I didn't have the finances to launch a print one. I wanted to do something different. It took a while but then the idea for Referential Magazine hit me and I started taking submissions in January 2010.

In addition to working on my own literary magazine, I read a lot of literary publications in print and online. With that being said, I want to note my personal mantra:  with anything you write/publish (again print or online) assume that everyone in the universe may have a chance to read it.

Why do I put these two things together?

Recently, I was reading my contributor copy of a print literary magazine. Let's call it Saddlestitch Review. I was reading along when I recognized an author's name. I thought, "Neat, I also published that poet." (You might see where I am going with this). But, the poem felt all too familiar. I reviewed my records and noted that I had not only published this poet, but I had also published this poem.

I also helped to revise/edit the poem in question.

Now, I don't have a problem with the poet publishing the poem again in another magazine but the polite thing to do is to acknowledge the previous publication—especially since not all journals accept previously published work.

Saddlestitch Review did publish previously published work from time to time (even in this same issue) and they always acknowledged the previous placement, so I knew the editor was not aware of what had happened.

What to do?

First, I got a little angry. I have to admit. Most editors do their work for free (or for negative costs once you factor in expenses to publish even an online magazine) and I felt let down by this poet whom I had taken the time to help.

I decided to let the editor and the poet know. I feel I was polite about the whole thing. The editor was not aware and offered future accreditation for anything they publish online, but the poet? . . .

Never responded.

Why do I post this? Does it seem like something that would rarely happen? Perhaps, but I just wanted to ask my fellow humble poets to give editors a break. Try to keep good records of where you send your poems as well as where they are published. Most editors are writers too; we know you took time to write the work, but we also took time to read, revise and/or publish the piece.

Let's be a team.

And, now, I'll step off my soapbox.

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Jessie Carty is a poet, teacher and editor who has been told she has far too good of a memory for the small things and not the big things like quantum physics.