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Thanks all of you for your words of encouragement. It isn't easy to get published - even when poetry is FREE, unless you are offered a little check for about $25.00 or win a good contest.
CoffeeCat, one of the best places where I sent some of my poetry is Voice's Magazine. I haven't submitted anything lately, but quite a while ago the editor had bone cancer. She recieved so many poems of encouragement that she decided to print a chapbook with those poems she felt were particularly well-written. All of them were written by individuals who had overcome some disease, particularly cancer. I have the book on my shelf - "Spirit of Strength." I don't think it is printed anymore. It's been more than 10 years since it was first printed. I had the honor of being published in that chapbook. I was also featured in several of Voice's on-line journals.
Another good source had been "Writer's Hood" which has since discontinued print. I won a first prize essay award from them. Beginner's magazine is good. There are many others. The best thing to do is purchase a Poet's Writer's source book. Barnes & Noble always has them. You will find a wealth of knowledge in them.
One of the most difficult things about marketing our writing is even if the writing is good, even if it is spectacular, it won't be printed by a journal unless it is clearly in line with their goal and preferred subject matter. This is very frustrating. We must read a few issues of the journal where we would like to submit our work to make sure it is what they are looking for. Most often in the submission guidelines they will tell us what they want, but we have to discern what they really mean. It could be interpreted by us in one way and by them in an entirely different way. I find it too darned expensive to buy copies of all the journals that come to my attention. If Barnes & Noble sells them we can take a good peek while ensconced in one of their comfortable chairs, sip a cup of coffee, handle the journal with great care and return it to the shelf when we are done perusing it.
I haven't sent anything out for a long time, hoping to find a publisher who would print a chapbook of my poems, but everything I read only wanted to print such books for poets with a sturdy reputation of past publication in other journals etc. It's rather like - which comes first, the chicken or the egg? I've decided to put the chicken first and start entering contests and, hopefully, sending poems to a source that wants my sort of writing.
WARNING
When I first started sending poetry out for contests etc. I knew very little about on-line sources. I fell into the devious trap of Poetry.com. Probably most, if not all of you, know about them. They prey on writers who are just so happy to have their writing in print that they don't inquire too much into the reputation of the publisher. And, since Poetry.com identify themselves with the library of congress, they lend to themselves a semblance of credibility.
I did honestly win two awards, one a first place and another second place. But, to receive the silver cup I had to attend a convention in Washington D.C. This was a real deal. I was asked to read my winning poems to all those at the convention. I didn't care to attend. First of all, in front of all those people, I would have stammered through my poem, making no sense at all. Second, I couldn't afford the trip, hotel stay etc. They did ask if Robin Williams could read my poem. I certainly granted permission. Did he read it? I do not know. Robin has never included me amongst his intimate acquaintances. LOL
Their anthologies are where they kick you in the ass. They print EVERYTHING submitted. Literary critics tested the waters there and sent some really ridiculous poems, all sorts of nonsense, and they were told their poems were worthy of being printed in their anthology, and, just imagine, you could purchase a copy of this book for almost $70.00!!!!! My, such an honor and generosity, huh?
So many poets who did write well were so disappointed when they purchased these anthologies onlyy to discover that right next to their well-written, prized piece of work, there was something worthy of nothing - not even good graffiti for an outhouse wall. It galls me that two of my poems ended up in two of those disgusting publications. Poetry.com has updated their web-site so it looks very nice and oh so professional. Don't fall for it!
After I found out what a sham they were, I really pestered the hell out of them about the BIG SILVER CUP they promised for first prize. LOL I insisted that if I really won their contest and was unable to attend the convention to receive such an illustrious prize, then they could send it to me at my home address and I would be truly honored. They only answered once, but I sure had a delightful time thinking up various, amusing ways of making this request.
My! This BIG SILVER CUP was just so heavy it wasn't feasible to send it to me through the mail. I must attend the convention. Now, truthfully, it isn't odd that a winning poet or writer needs to attend an awards banquet or something to receive their prize, but I felt like harassing Poetry.com. I thought it hilarious that they made the cup sound so HUGE that I would have to arrive with a block and tackle in order to cart it home on a roll back. LOL Run out to Barnes & Noble for that valuable market book!
Oh, one final thing. . .enter legitimate contests! It is the best way to get some money for our work, or, at least, some reputable recognition.