Gatekeeping

There's an excellent discussion going on over at Scottish poet Rob Mackenzie's blog—many UK poets chiming in on how the poetry publication "system" in the UK works.

I suspect it would be of great interest to those frustrated by the "system" in North America as well—if only for the contrast between the two sides of the Atlantic. Check it out if you have not already.

And while you're at it, order a copy of Rob's wonderful chapbook The Clown of Natural Sorrow.

Manuscript Advice

An American friend of mine who, like me, lives in Switzerland sent me the following question: "Do you know anyone I could pay to give me feedback-criticism on my [poetry] manuscript?"

There's more to her letter, but since I don't know anyone offhand, I thought I'd inquire with blog readers if they can recommend any manuscript-evaluation services.

This is someone, by the way, who has been a finalist for at least one major American prize.