Why am I here on Substack? I’ve been mulling that over for several weeks now and then this morning I came across a post from “Poetical” (@CONNORT) by Tara Connor that clarified my thoughts. Community. A community of poets and poetry lovers and writers and editors. And what has struck me in reading other newsletters and posts is how supportive other Substack writers are, how encouraging, how real.
That’s not always the case. When I was getting an MFA in creative writing in the early 1990s, I would rush out of the poetry workshop and into the bathroom to cry. There are constructive ways to give feedback and horrible ways and that was horrible. I swore I would never workshop anything again. I have been blessed, however, with wonderful poetry groups for almost twenty years, one group where we share our poems and give feedback and one where we write.
My first book Gathering the Pieces of Days is coming out next year from Unsolicited Press. (Check them out; they have a great newsletter @UNSOLICITEDPRESS as does the publisher, “If you give a girl a book” @SOMESTEWART). I’ve been writing for decades. I have three novels in the proverbial drawer. One came very close to being published but wasn’t. I haven’t written fiction in years, but I’ve kept writing poetry. And my poems have been rejected hundreds of times. I first started to write “I’ve been rejected” because that’s how it can feel—but it’s not me they’re rejecting; it’s the work. I’ve also published almost 100 pieces, mostly poetry. I could not be happier to have my first book published. Poetry sustains me. And it is the writing itself that feeds me.
What’s with the title?
Here, in LeeAnn’s Punctuated Poetry, I will share some poems, some thoughts about poetry and writing, and probably some posts about editing. I’ve been editing books and articles for almost thirty years. I love being an editor. I love helping an author craft their work. I do love punctuation. I just finished a chapbook called Punctuated; it’s a small book in which each poem is about a particular mark of punctuation and looks like the mark of punctuation. Expect a post on the semicolon—my favorite mark of punctuation.
I also love coffee. And jazz. And baseball. So I might write about those too. This is all to say that I’m still figuring this out, so it could morph into something completely unexpected.
I’m also thinking punctuated as in short, to the point, for the most part. I’m busy. You’re busy. I’m blessed with more work than I can possibly do, and because I make my living as an editor, that takes most of my time. So the time I have for writing is precious. I could spend the day on Substack reading all the wonderful posts but I can’t. I have a partner, two fabulous cats, friends, and I need to sleep, do yoga, walk, meditate. I need empty spaces for poetry.
My plan is to post once a week. Maybe on Friday since I’m writing this on Thursday night. I know there are settings and emails and welcome pages I’m supposed to set up but I realized if I did all that first I would never do this: write the first post.
I am also on BlueSky @leeannp.bsky.social and you can read more of my poetry on my website at www.leeannpickrell.com.
So welcome to LeeAnn’s Punctuated Poetry. In keeping with the the Punctuated Poetry theme here is poem that was originally published in the Atlanta Review.
Welcome! Yes a great community is growing here. And if anything else it is great motivation to create and share. It can certainly be a source of distraction but also the positivity you gain is great for momentum and focus in its own way. Hope you find a place here :)
Hi Leeann, I noticed you liked one of my Prompt Poems and I wanted to drop in to thank you. Welcome to Substack! I recognised and sympathised with many of your thoughts in this piece, having joined only in January, and yes, it’s a strikingly friendly community of poets. I really like your poem here too. I look forward to reading more!