G'day all...
New member Mummsie (Sue) raised the question of poems appearing here being considered as "published". I had an interesting conversation recently with Carol Heuchan about this. (in case Carol is not known to you Mummsie, Carol is an accomplished writer and performer of bush poetry, and is often invited to judge written competitions.) She made this very telling point...
Most people would expect a competent judge to be pretty well up to date with what's going on in the contemporary bush poetry scene, and it's pretty fair to say that this site is a significant part of that. If a poem is posted on this site that the author intends to enter in a competition, the judge is put in what could be a difficult position. All competitions that I know of are quite strict about entries having nothing included that might identify the author; however, if the poem has been 'aired' in a public forum such as this, the identity of the author is public knowledge, and it is also quite possible that the judge has seen it on this site.
(This could conceivably lead to mutterings from some competitors about the winner being "pre-judged" on the basis that the author won on reputation rather than the poem on its merits. I am not aware of any complaints of this nature, but the possibility exists).
I personally have great confidence in our judges and their determination to award results purely on the merit of the entries, but I think that it is only fair to them that we don't make our efforts public before they are judged. It's a difficult enough job as it is, and I don't envy them one bit. Mind you, I've been guilty of doing this in the past myself but, having the benefit of hindsight, I now reserve any comp piece until the results are known.
Hope that this helps, Mummsie.
Cheers, Will.
"Published?"
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Bellobazza
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"Published?"
"Each poet that I know (he said)
has something funny in his head..." CJD
has something funny in his head..." CJD
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mummsie
- Posts: 1062
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- Location: Tumut, NSW
Re: "Published?"
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question in such detail Will, i really appreciate it.
the door is always open, the kettles always on, my shoulders here to cry on, i'll not judge who's right or wrong.
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Terry
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Re: "Published?"
G/day Will,
Well that seem to put paid to that doesn't it, and fair enough I suppose. I agree with you about the judges job being a tough one without complicating it further. Like you I have been guilty of the same offense in the past.
I suppose when we first start it's less likely to be noticed but after we've been around awhile your name gets known, especially if you are fairly active on this site. It's probably a good idea to do a few of the homework topics, apart from being a good way to improve your writing, you sometimes come up with idea you can later turn into a comp piece.
Terry
Well that seem to put paid to that doesn't it, and fair enough I suppose. I agree with you about the judges job being a tough one without complicating it further. Like you I have been guilty of the same offense in the past.
I suppose when we first start it's less likely to be noticed but after we've been around awhile your name gets known, especially if you are fairly active on this site. It's probably a good idea to do a few of the homework topics, apart from being a good way to improve your writing, you sometimes come up with idea you can later turn into a comp piece.
Terry
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Zondrae
- Moderator
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- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:04 am
- Location: Illawarra
Re: "Published?"
G'day Terry and everyone else too,
firstly I agree (with whoever it was who said) that there is so much activity on the site that I can't keep up with everything. How good is it that we have an ever expanding group of poets interested in our chosen genre. A while back I had the privilege of having the most posts - now it is Heather I believe.
Secondly regarding the 'previously published rule', I have the pleasure of belonging to a group who meet weekly and set a topic to write on. These 'homework' poems are read to our group (up to 16 people) then occasionally I post mine on another site or even here. Then once in a blue moon a poem pops up that I think may be competition material. Even though I have read it to my group, I would not consider that as 'public circulation'. As often as not the poem undergoes considerable re-writing before I think it is ready. However, if I had posted the final draft on this site, I would be very careful which competition I sent it to. Each comp has its own rules. Read the rules carefully.
But still, sit on your better pieces until the right comp comes along. Some comps have special sections eg recently one had a section for a poem about Gum trees or leaves(?) and another had 'the birds of the singing gardens' and yet another a poem about 'Bourke and Wills'. Then there are some comps who have a section for new or novice writers. Again read the terms and conditions But most of all DON"T miss the closing date. Good Luck with your writing.
firstly I agree (with whoever it was who said) that there is so much activity on the site that I can't keep up with everything. How good is it that we have an ever expanding group of poets interested in our chosen genre. A while back I had the privilege of having the most posts - now it is Heather I believe.
Secondly regarding the 'previously published rule', I have the pleasure of belonging to a group who meet weekly and set a topic to write on. These 'homework' poems are read to our group (up to 16 people) then occasionally I post mine on another site or even here. Then once in a blue moon a poem pops up that I think may be competition material. Even though I have read it to my group, I would not consider that as 'public circulation'. As often as not the poem undergoes considerable re-writing before I think it is ready. However, if I had posted the final draft on this site, I would be very careful which competition I sent it to. Each comp has its own rules. Read the rules carefully.
But still, sit on your better pieces until the right comp comes along. Some comps have special sections eg recently one had a section for a poem about Gum trees or leaves(?) and another had 'the birds of the singing gardens' and yet another a poem about 'Bourke and Wills'. Then there are some comps who have a section for new or novice writers. Again read the terms and conditions But most of all DON"T miss the closing date. Good Luck with your writing.
Zondrae King
a woman of words
a woman of words
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Heather
Re: "Published?"
In my defence, I would like to say that I only have so many posts because people keep talking and it's rude not to reply! 
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Heather
Re: "Published?"
Says you Marty! 
Am too not a net nerd. I just like to talk and give cheek!
Heather
Am too not a net nerd. I just like to talk and give cheek!
Heather
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Zondrae
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Re: "Published?"
Heather,
I was not making any comment other than to make excuses for not being quite so active. I can relax knowing the new members of the site have a welcoming committee now. Maybe I'm a little jealous I no longer am the most frequent poster.
Keep up the good work. Let the old girl have a rest.
I was not making any comment other than to make excuses for not being quite so active. I can relax knowing the new members of the site have a welcoming committee now. Maybe I'm a little jealous I no longer am the most frequent poster.
Keep up the good work. Let the old girl have a rest.
Zondrae King
a woman of words
a woman of words