Bloghopping + A Recommendation

The Smoking Poet is full of interesting work, including a poem, "Tarnish," by Jim Valvis that I very much like for its simplicity and subtlety. The issue includes a good interview with poet Derek Burleson and reviews of both poetry and prose books. They also have a unique feature "A Good Cause" in which they showcase a charitable project. This warms my fundraiser's heart!

I've had two of my poetry manuscripts edited, the first time I've done this. I'm really glad I did. Not only did it improve the manuscripts (and make me decide to put one on the back burner, needing further work), but it has already improved the responses I typically get from editors on both individual poems and the manuscript as a whole. Economical and well worth it if you consider the cost of contest fees.

Red C Services provides business and literary editing, as well as editing for students. Check it out. If you decide to try an editor, tell Bryan I sent you.