From Lynda’s Journal

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  Today’s post is #702

My literary journey began

with my first published story in 1980.

Monday, June 27, 2025

From my first published  essay  in 1980, I’ve always  had work published nationally, and internationally.

This is probably because I started painting in 1976, with a teacher who taught me from the first stroke on the canvas, that I was painting   for an audience.

She told me the steps to take, and that my first painting would be going to an art exhibition  at a university gallery.   Since, I knew nothing about  art exhibitions, I just believed her and soon, I was delivering my paintings to art galleries, museums.   Art and  writing  need an audience and a place where the audience can view it.

I was thinking I could provide some  basic  advice for submitting your poems, that can apply to most of the publishers you will be encountering once you start getting your poems out this way.

As a visual artist, we know that our artwork is made for a viewing audience.  We don’t make it and then stick it in a closet or slide it under the bed. It is made to be viewed by others.  This is the same for writing.

Our work is made to be read by others.

A  creative work has three parts:

The Writer/artist – the work created – and the viewer/reader.

Without this final part, the work is not complete.

Don’t be hesitant to get your writing out to publishers.  You need them and they need you.

Without you they would have no material to publish.  You are important  and your work is, too.

This just might be your time to shine!  Give it a try.

Below is a publication opportunity.

This is a publisher I highly recommend for those who want to go beyond  familiar boundaries and want to be in communication with other writers around the world.

See the latest anthology, Mingled Voices 9   On Amazon

Maybe  you want to take another step into a new milieu.

Submissions are open until June  30 to enter your poems in the annual anthology Mingled Voices 10. 

The  2025 anthology will come out in the spring of 2026.

This is an international book of poetry from poets from around the world who write in ENGLISH, or have their poems translated into English.

Each year there is a new panel of jurors for selecting work to include, or to award cash prizes.  There is a $14..  submission fee for each poem entered

.poems are entered on Submittable.

I hope this information’s helps you to

step out and be bold 

to get your writings published.

6 Steps to plan ahead.

Be prepared in advance.

My 6 steps will save you time and effort.

 

1_Have a short bio, less than 200 words,  ready to add to the submission form.

2_ Have your poem saved to a file and ready to drop into the box on the form.  Name of Poem on the file.

3_Create a statement about that poem,  to give readers additional insight into the poem.  Give the  backstory.  Write  some  details that will help readers  who do not speak English as a first language.

4_There are a few boxes to check on the entry form, so be careful to answer them all, as appropriate.

5_When everything is completed, you will be asked to put this on a charge card.  Have your card numbers ready in advance  so you can complete the application.

6_When you have completed the application and sent it to Submittable, you will get a receipt from Submittable for your records. Save them for your income tax report.

Begin  your submission  Here!

I wish you good fortune on your path to publication.

jhttps://proversehongkong.submittable.com/submit

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