Social Media’s ‘Unexpected Gifts’: A Poet’s Story
I tell people, the best way to learn about me is through my writing. ~ Maureen Doallas
For today’s guest post, I asked poet Maureen E. Doallas to share her story of the recent publication of her debut book of poetry. Enjoy!
I bought my first computer in 2000 but until I retired in 2007 and started an art-related business, Transformational Threads, I had a tiny virtual footprint, restricting my online activity to business-related activities, e-mails to family and friends, and following correspondent Leroy Siever’s daily narrative about his cancer experience at “My Cancer” (now, since Sievers’ death, “OurCancer”). There, I posted a lot, including new poetry I had begun writing after my late brother became ill. (I wrote an essay about the very real, if virtual, community that is shared there.)
Sometime in mid-2009, I joined FaceBook and LinkedIn. While browsing through search results for poetry groups, I came across Seedlings in Stone, one of poet L.L. Barkat’s blogs, where I found a link to Random Acts of Poetry (RAP).
Reading the contributors’ poems, I thought how fun it would be to participate, so I e-mailed L.L., managing editor for The High Calling, asking how I could join the group. Well, that required a blog or other online site from which to share and link.
So I created Writing Without Paper, which I decided to use as my hub to write about anything that brings me joy, especially art, artists, and poetry.
Later that same month, I joined Twitter, to take part in Twitter poetry jams, and began following group members’ blogs, tweeting my own posts, and generally reaching out to expand online connections among diverse communities of writers and artists who share my interests.
Some of my new friends created a dedicated place for all things poetry, TweetSpeakPoetry. That led in 2010 to L.L.’s founding of T.S. Poetry Press, publication of TSPP’s first books, and, serendipitously, an invitation to publish my own poetry.
Invitation to Publish
Because of job demands and family responsibilities following marriage, I had not submitted poetry anywhere since the early 1980s, and limited my creative writing to pieces for special occasions.
In 2010, having written a significant number of new poems (many about my experience of my brother’s cancer) and encouraged by responses to my writing (which led to writing features articles for others), I decided to step quietly back into the poetry submissions arena. I collected a few rejections before enjoying several acceptances at online sites Red Lion Sq. and Poets for Living Waters, and the charity anthology Oil and Water… And Other Things That Don’t Mix.
In the fall, much to my delighted surprise, I was invited by T.S. Poetry Press, which does not accept solicitations or queries, to publish a first collection of 50 to 80 poems.
Publishing the Collection
Accepting the invitation to publish, I made one request of the editor and publisher: that they select poems with an eye toward making this debut book the very best it could be.
Knowing the backgrounds of both the editor and publisher, I was confident my interests would be represented well.
The editor asked me to send him as many poems as were available. Though I held some back, I sent more than 150 poems, the majority written in the last two years and a small number from many more years ago that I had rewritten or otherwise revised. The large number of poems I was able to make available ensured that the editor would be able to organize and shape a coherent manuscript that also would show off a range of themes, use of language, and style and voice, as well as an arc-of-life experience.
In the interim, I wrote four essays (the press style is to include regional and life-experience essays in each book), prepared the acknowledgments page, and undertook to acquire endorsements.
In January 2011, the editor sent me his selection of my poems and his line-edited copy. I reviewed every edit he made and returned comments, in several instances suggesting additional or new changes for consideration. Once we were in agreement on all edits, the final manuscript was submitted to the publisher. I then worked exclusively with the publisher on technical aspects of the book, ranging from title and layout to cover art, from back-cover text to copyright page and other front matter, to corrections and final proofs. The manuscript was released to print at the end of January.
We accomplished everything via e-mail and Internet.
Post-Publishing Lessons
In some ways, I suppose, how I came to publish Neruda’s Memoirs: Poems is the equivalent of the old story of the would-be actress hanging out at Schwab’s drugstore, waiting to be discovered by Hollywood. The not insignificant difference is that I didn’t go in search of a book publisher, although I might say I was “found” via social networking media.
When I began blogging, I never planned or dreamed that by 2011 I’d find my name on the cover of a book of poetry of my own. What I did decide in creating my blog was to take a big step by sharing my poetry with people I did not know in a number of different online forums. What happened? Somebody took notice.
I used social media to reach out and it, in turn, bestowed unexpected gifts, not only friendship and community but also opportunity.
I have heard many stories of writers’ less-than-pleasant experiences with agents, editors, and publishers. I can state unequivocally that my experience with T.S. Poetry Press was deeply satisfying, and for one very important reason: trust. I put myself in the experienced hands of the editor and publisher, both of whom took my work seriously and followed through on every term agreed to at the start of the relationship.
Often, a verbal (as in virtual) say-so was sufficient. Similarly, I kept my word, responded promptly whenever questions arose or something needed to be done, and tried to learn from the experience by being open to editorial suggestions and changes. I didn’t resist line edits, because I saw how they made my poems stronger. I agreed to the choice of poems and book title and organization of the collection because I was confident that those with whom I was working knew best how to make me look my best. And — not an unimportant point — the press knew what its readers want. Each of us treated the other as a professional. A beautifully produced book is the result.
Key also is my understanding of what this opportunity to publish means and what it does not.
I did not accept the invitation to publish because I want to make a name for myself or think I can make money from my poetry or win poetry prizes. I accepted because what the publisher is about is what I’m about: finding, sharing, and celebrating art and beauty and community. Every day.
If even one person who reads the collection is moved by a single poem, then I have published for the best, and right, reason.
Neruda’s Memoirs: Poems is available in print and e-book editions via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers.
Follow Neruda’s Memoirs: Poems on Facebook. Follow Maureen on Twitter.
Watch the video presentation of the poem “Neruda’s Memoirs.”
What creative opportunities has social media made possible for you?
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Share24 Responses to “Social Media’s ‘Unexpected Gifts’: A Poet’s Story”
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This is great Maureen, and a wonderful opportunity to get to know you better! Loved the information and interview. I am off to purchase your book now. Look forward to reading it. ♥
Jessica Kristie´s last [type] ..Tough Lessons
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This is stunning. Elegant echoes of gratitude and generosity weave a rainbow through your words, your online presence, and your life. Maureen, you illuminate and reflect beauty.
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Jessica, Thank you for visiting, reading, and commenting. Most of all, thank you for your support. I’m grateful.
Kathleen, I think you deserve the mantle of “No. 1 Fan”. Your encouragement and beautiful words always bring joy. Thank you.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Wednesday Wonder- Worry Dolls & Cryobooks
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Hello Ami
Thank you for posting Maureen’s journey to Neruda’s Memoirs. And I see how you have highlighted parts of the article and at all the right points as you do with your writing. I am sorry if I am wrong about that.
Dear Maureen
Thank you for sharing… Kathleen is right…what strikes me most about you is your generosity and elegance with which you interact with your readers and fellow writers.
Cheers
Padmavani
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It is always so nice to get a fuller look at the persons behind the blogs we love. Maureen’s ‘Writing Without Paper’ is a daily treasure chest in various important ways; one, as a great “aggregator” blog, with a wealth of links to a nearly bewildering number of sites of interest for lovers of art, poetry, music, dance, literature (she must spend a phenomenal amount of time researching, and obviously enjoys it so much); a second is her social conscience and sense of solidarity, as especially evident on what she posts about Haiti and the aftermath of the earthquake; and then, most personally, is her stellar poetry. I recently purchased her collection of poems “Neruda’s Memoirs” and am enjoying going through the poems. I treat myself to a poem a day …
It’s very nice to see her featured here and very refreshing to hear from a blogger and poet who can celebrate, instead of lament, her experience in the adventure of becoming a published poet.
And I would like to add, very gratefully, that she is also a very warm and supportive blog friend to many other writer-bloggers. Where do you find the time, Maureen?
Lorenzo — The Alchemist’s Pillow´s last [type] ..Throbbings
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Padmavani, thank you so much for visiting, reading, and commenting. I appreciate your kind words. Ami did work her magic on the highlighting.
Lorenzo, thank you for taking time to visit and comment on my guest post. I so appreciate your words, which are generous and touching. I truly enjoy what I do every day, so I don’t think much about time when I’m browsing, reading, and writing.
I thank everyone for support of my poetry collection.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Wednesday Wonder- Worry Dolls & Cryobooks
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Oh – the post was enlightening, but the reading was breathtaking. Thank you Maureen and Ami for sharing!
Ami Kim´s last [type] ..The best way to set resolutions – Dream of yourself
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Ami, so lovely that you stopped by. Thank you for the comment on my guest post and on Diane’s video. I was so delighted with it. She’ll be very pleased to hear your comment.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Wednesday Wonder- Worry Dolls & Cryobooks
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Thank you for highlighting Maureen’s social media/poetry story. I learned a few things!
The connections spiral outwards. A premier bookseller I met through social media is going to stock the book at International Arts Movement’s Encounter conference. None of this would have happened without this social media world.
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Ami Mattison Reply:
February 24th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Thanks, L.L, for sharing the good news! Maureen’s story, while unique, points precisely to how social media provides significant creative opportunities to those who avail themselves to the technology–a lesson I’m happy to offer here at poetryNprogress. Thanks for stopping by!
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LL, thank you for sharing the news but especially for your tremendous support and your belief in me.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Wednesday Wonder- Worry Dolls & Cryobooks
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Ami, how very empowering! You are truly an inspiration.
PS – I love Neruda and his ability to seduce. In fact, I chose a couple of his poems to read aloud in Spanish to my college professor for one of my second year oral exams (Oda al vino – Ode to Wine, and Oda al Picaflor – Ode to the Hummingbird). The prof was more than thrilled and gave me a 100% on the exam! So yes, I love Neruda.
Cathy´s last [type] ..There’s No Place Like Home
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Cathy Reply:
February 24th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Sorry, I meant to say thanks to Maureen and Ami, how did I forget the powerhouse?
Cathy´s last [type] ..There’s No Place Like Home
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Ami Mattison Reply:
February 24th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Thank you, Cathy, for stopping by. Maureen’s story is truly inspirational.
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Cathy, thank you so much for stopping in and reading and commenting. I also left a note for you at the post at SheWrites. The book’s title is taken from one of my poems in Section IV of the collection.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Wednesday Wonder- Worry Dolls & Cryobooks
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This post is a typically generous offering from Maureen. It shares her experience with others, as well as her intention and progress as a poet. It’s also one more story of the remarkable boon to so many lives of social media. Thanks for all you offer to others through it, Maureen.
A. Jay Adler´s last [type] ..The Death of Organized Labor- or its Rebirth
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Maureen, thanks so much for sharing the story of your journey to publication; gives hope to us all!
Thanks Ami, for liking my reading –
And Lorenzo, I echo your remark: Maureen is my very most supportive blog friend; I have no idea how she finds the time to visit as often as she does, but I’m always grateful for her thoughtful comments.
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Jay, your own posts are gems of erudition, and your poetry and jazz posts are always a special treat.
Diane, one of these days I’ll get out to the Pacific Northwest and we’ll swap stories.
Thank you both for your generous words, support, and friendship.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Painter Sean Scully
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Congratulations, Maureen. A big thanks to you for your story, and to Ami, for sharing your space. The power of social media to bring like-minded people together–and to build “very real” virtual communities, as you state–is truly amazing.
“If even one person who reads the collection is moved by a single poem, then I have published for the best, and right, reason.”
Bless you for that. I wish you a wellspring of creativity and connection!
Nicole Seiffert´s last [type] ..Shhh… Somebody Might Hear You
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Nicole, thank you so much for visiting, reading, and commenting. I appreciate your words very much.
As one friend remarked, we never know who might be reading our work. I have another friend, a poet, whose situation is similar to mine. A publisher spotted one of her tweets, went to her site to read her poetry, and is now about to publish her second collection.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Saturday Sharing My Finds Are Yours
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Maureen,very well done indeed. I loved the youtube reading of Neruda’s Memoirs. I felt you capture what I believe to be the essence of his poetry: living within the beauty of great human stress but with the support of the truth of that struggle. I am looking forward to finding your book nd to connecting with your website. A thousand times thank you.
Ken
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Ken, yours is high praise indeed. Thank you for visiting, reading, and commenting. I’m indebted to Ami for the opportunity to do this guest post, as it has provided the opportunity to make the acquaintance of others. Do let me know your impressions of the collection.
Maureen´s last [type] ..Saturday Sharing My Finds Are Yours
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Maureen – lovely reading and all good hopes for ur book. As an aside, what happened to Poets on She Writes. It vanished and I didn’t even know it. I miss all of u…Mary Kennedy Eastham
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Mary, thank you very much for reading and commenting. I appreciate your kind words!
Maureen´s last [type] ..Thought for the Day
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