The Niteblade Blog Train: Poetry Central

Welcome to the Niteblade Blog Train. Hop on, hop on! In case you are really only getting on now, here's the previous post.

This blog train is a celebration of five years of Niteblade, so at the end of this post, there will be PRESENTS.

But first things first. What to write about? Right. I can start with a quick introduction.

Hi, I'm Alexa, the person who reads all the poetry slush for Niteblade and selects the five poems that we publish in each issue (aka the poetry editor). I also lend my eyes for first reader duties every now and then.

When it comes to poetry, our guidelines are not very specific in regards to what we want and what we don't want, and intentionally so. But hey, since y'all are here now let me tell you what I like and don't like to read in my slush.

1. Dir Sir or Madam.
Yup, that one I don't like. You can address your correspondence to the Poetry Editor, to Rhonda (the beloved boss editor), or of course to me (which will tell me that you took the time to firgure out who's actually gonna read your work.)

You can also just say Hi or add a simple note like "Please consider my poem ___ for publication."

It's all about first impressions I guess, and while I often read a poem before I look at the cover letter, a professional sounding cover letter can't hurt.

2. Formal stuff.
That's something I really like, partly because these days free verse is the norm. I like villanelles (like this one) and sonnets in particular, but that doesn't mean I'm bored by sestinas or the odd couplet. Do sent me formal verse

BUT: don't just make stuff rhyme. Formal verse is more than just lines of words with matching meter put together in the shape of stanzas that come with rhyming words dashed in to spice things up, it's more than just the sum of its parts. There is a reason why we consider Shakespeare a Bard and not a writer of silly doggerel. Poetry (or any writing) conveys information, but also emotion. Why else would the reader care?

3. Cliches.
Especially in a horror venue you get these, a lot. That's not to say I don't enjoy zombie apocalypse tales or your average nocturnal bloodsucker with a European accent (cf. the vamp special poetry selection of our June Issue), but unless you can throw me off balance with something new or unusual, well. Know what you are writing about, but also be sure to write something no one has ever written before.

4. LGBTQ/QUILTBAG
Yes, please. Do send me more of that. POC, too.

"This world is wide and wild
and full of wonders,"

says Seanan McGuire in her poem "Baba Yaga Said," and any work that reflects that will be warmly welcomed at Niteblade.

Okay, I seem to be running out of things to put on my little list here, so perhaps just let me remind you that you should always go with the guidelines (remember what they say about guidelines in Pirates of the Caribbean? Won't fly in publishing.)

Also, if you have any questions, you can get in touch through the contact form on this blog, or drop me a line at alexa@niteblade.com.

Niteblade Spec Poetry Ed

And before the blog train leaves, didn't I mention PRESENTS at the beginning of this post?? I did, but actually, they are more like prizes: two issues of the Niteblade Special Poetry Edition, one of them signed by both Rhonda and myself. The prizes will be drawn (from a real hat, if you must know) once the blog train has ended, that is Sep 2 (the last post goes live on Sep 1). All you have to do to enter is comment here (or if for some reason that doesn't work for you, drop me a line) and let me know of a poem you really liked, old or new, from Niteblade or elsewhere, doesn't matter (for example, "The Raven" by Poe would be a valid entry.) Comments will close on Sep 1, Midnight EST.

Okay, all that's left to say is Happy Birthday Niteblade, thanks to Rhonda for five fantastically scary years, thanks for allowing me to be a part of this, and man am I looking forward to the next five!

The Niteblade Blog Train. Next stop: Brenda Stokes Barron.