Six Questions for Raquel D. Bailey, Founding Editor, Lyrical Passion Poetry E-Zine

Lyrical Passion Poetry E-Zine publishes Japanese short form poetry, prose poetry, free verse, rhyming poetry, and micro-fiction. 

(Ceased publication)

SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a story and why?

RD: 

1. evocative, unique, refreshing, strong, emotional voice.
2. thoughtful use of stylistic devices, e.g. alliteration, rhyme, punctuation.
3. brevity.

SQF: . What are the top three reasons a story is rejected, other than not fitting into your answers to the above question and why?

RD: 

1. not reading the guidelines.
2. misspelled words, sloppy submissions.
3. writing that is trite, offensive, too dark or just not what we are looking for.

SQF: What other common mistakes do you encounter that turn you off to a story?

RD: When someone sends work in another language with no translation, which shows that they did not read the guidelines.

SQF: Do you provide comments when you reject a story?

RD: Seldom. I  provide feedback if I see potential in a piece of work and if writers seem receptive to constructive criticism.

SQF: Based on your experience as an editor, what have you learned about writing?

RD: Everyone has something to say, and it is my job to choose what I feel is a good representation of each and every writer and what I admire most about them (their writing).

SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?

RD: Why is it so difficult to get writing published?

The publishing industry is ever-changing and every publication is looking for fantastic work, not just good work. That's why it's difficult to get published. Lyrical Passion Poetry E-Zine welcomes and publishes serious writers. Writers should study their genre of interest to perfect their craft and/or enter contests to see how they rank against other writers and win a modest amount of money in the process (for 1 haiku). Be more proactive about your literary success.

Thank you, Raquel. We all appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.

NEXT POST: 10/8--Six Questions for Gineve Rudolph and Cat Spydell, Editors, Mischievous Muse Press