How to get your poetry published
  • 1. Which of these is the MOST important first step in getting your poetry published?
A) Writing strong, original poems
B) Building a large social media following
C) Submitting to as many journals as possible
D) Paying for professional editing upfront
  • 2. What is a 'slush pile'?
A) The stack of unsolicited submissions at a publication
B) The fee charged for submitting poetry
C) A collection of poems a poet is unsure about
D) A negative review of a poetry collection
  • 3. What is a 'query letter' typically used for in poetry?
A) To ask an editor if they are interested in your work
B) To request permission to reprint a poem
C) Rarely used; poetry submissions generally don't require them.
D) To introduce yourself to a literary agent
  • 4. What is the common advice regarding simultaneous submissions?
A) They are encouraged to increase your chances.
B) They are strictly forbidden and will blacklist you.
C) They are acceptable, but you must inform the publication if accepted elsewhere.
D) They are only allowed for new poets.
  • 5. Which of these is a good reason to subscribe to literary journals?
A) To get a discount on submission fees.
B) To understand the kind of work they publish.
C) To directly contact the editors.
D) To guarantee your own work will be accepted.
  • 6. What does 'SASE' stand for (though less common now)?
A) Standard Author Submission Expectation
B) Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope
C) Submit All Simultaneously Everywhere
D) Submission Application System Entry
  • 7. What is a chapbook?
A) A biography of a famous poet.
B) A small collection of poems, shorter than a full book.
C) A critical essay about poetry.
D) A type of poetic form.
  • 8. Which is a common way to find reputable literary journals to submit to?
A) Duotrope or similar online databases.
B) Asking your friends.
C) Searching on Wikipedia.
D) Randomly selecting websites.
  • 9. What is an 'acceptance letter'?
A) An invoice for publication fees.
B) A letter informing you that your poem(s) will be published.
C) A request for revisions.
D) A rejection letter with encouraging feedback.
  • 10. What does 'rights reversion' refer to?
A) The process of rewriting a poem after publication.
B) The editor's right to change your poem.
C) The return of publication rights to the author after a certain period.
D) The automatic acceptance of your work.
  • 11. What is generally considered the best time of year to submit poetry?
A) Always in the fall.
B) Always in the spring.
C) It varies, but avoid holiday seasons when journals are often closed.
D) Whenever you finish writing a poem.
  • 12. What is the role of a literary agent in publishing poetry?
A) They guarantee publication success.
B) Agents are rarely used for poetry, focusing on books, not individual poems.
C) They handle all submissions for you.
D) They are essential for getting published.
  • 13. What is the purpose of including a brief cover letter with your submission?
A) To criticize other poets.
B) To explain the meaning of your poems.
C) To politely introduce yourself and your work.
D) To demand a quick response.
  • 14. What formatting is generally preferred for poetry submissions?
A) Multiple poems on a single page.
B) Double-spaced, like academic papers.
C) Single-spaced poems, with a separate page for each poem.
D) Any formatting is acceptable.
  • 15. What should you do after your poem is accepted for publication?
A) Forget about it.
B) Demand a large payment.
C) Immediately submit it to other journals.
D) Proofread the final version carefully and promote the publication.
  • 16. What is a 'poetry slam'?
A) A formal poetry reading.
B) A type of poetic form.
C) A poetry workshop.
D) A competition where poets perform their work.
  • 17. What is the advantage of attending poetry readings?
A) Networking with other poets and learning about publications.
B) Getting free books.
C) Finding a romantic partner.
D) Meeting famous poets.
  • 18. What is the best way to handle rejection?
A) Learn from feedback (if provided) and keep submitting.
B) Assume the editors are incompetent.
C) Give up on poetry.
D) Write angry letters to editors.
  • 19. What is a good way to build a writing community?
A) Join a writing group or workshop.
B) Steal ideas from other poets.
C) Isolate yourself and focus on your own work.
D) Compete with other writers.
  • 20. What is a common theme among successful poets?
A) Lack of formal education.
B) Perseverance and dedication to their craft.
C) Arrogance and self-importance.
D) Instant fame and fortune.
  • 21. What is the main purpose of writing poetry?
A) Winning poetry competitions.
B) Expressing oneself creatively and connecting with others.
C) Getting rich and famous.
D) Impressing literary critics.
  • 22. What is the role of social media in poetry publishing?
A) It can help build a platform and connect with readers.
B) It guarantees publication.
C) It replaces the need for good writing.
D) It is completely unnecessary.
  • 23. What should a poet do before submitting their work to a journal?
A) Send the editor gifts.
B) Submit without revision.
C) Proofread carefully and ensure it fits the journal's style.
D) Pay someone to write a cover letter.
  • 24. What are contests and awards generally used for in poetry?
A) Guarantee future book deals.
B) Prove your superiority over other poets.
C) Replace the need for other publishing efforts.
D) Gain recognition and potentially publication.
  • 25. Which of these is considered unethical in poetry submission?
A) Submitting the same poem under different names.
B) Submitting simultaneously to multiple journals.
C) Asking for feedback on your work.
D) Including a brief biography in your cover letter.
  • 26. What does 'form rejection' usually mean?
A) Your poem didn't follow the journal's formatting guidelines.
B) Your poem was too long.
C) Your poem was too experimental.
D) The rejection was a standard template, not personalized.
  • 27. What is a book launch?
A) An event to celebrate the release of a new book of poetry.
B) The deadline for submitting a poetry collection.
C) The first draft of a poetry manuscript.
D) A negative review of a poetry book.
  • 28. What is a 'reading fee'?
A) A fee for receiving feedback on your work.
B) A fee for attending a poetry reading.
C) A fee some journals charge to consider submissions.
D) A fee to guarantee publication.
  • 29. What is important when choosing a title for a poetry collection?
A) It should be long and complex.
B) It should be evocative and representative of the collection's themes.
C) It should be completely random.
D) It should be a quote from a famous poet.
  • 30. What is a good way to improve your poetry writing skills?
A) Only read your own work.
B) Never revise your poems.
C) Avoid feedback from others.
D) Read widely, write regularly, and seek feedback.
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