Ekphrastic poetry, a type of poetic response to and/or interpretation of visual art, has been popular since ancient times. From Edwin Morgan’s “The White Horse” to Robert Lowell’s “Figurines”, poets and artists have collaborated to create works of art that are both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating. But how can one submit their ekphrastic poetry for publication? In this article, we shall consider where authors can submit their ekphrastic poetry and what editors look for when evaluating submissions.
For starters, there are some organizations specifically dedicated to facilitating the publication of ekphrastic poetry. The Ekphrastic Review, for instance, holds monthly poetry contests which focus on “writing inspired by works or art from any culture and in any form.” Poets interested in taking part are encouraged to start by selecting an art form to interpret, whether it’s an oil painting, a photograph, or even a 3D sculpture. After choosing a piece of art, poets should use their own experiences and perspectives to interpret it in concise, visual language.
When submitting ekphrastic poetry for publication, it’s important to remember that many editors want to know more than just the poem. Some may request a brief statement describing how the response poem was created in relation to the artwork, as well as documentation that explains how the artwork can be found.
Although many poets prefer to send their work directly to literary journals, most editors want to see the poem in context of a cover letter. Writers should explain why they submitted their poem to that particular publication, in addition to any complementary ideas they thought of while writing. This extra information will help the editor understand the poem, as well as its overall impact on the reader.
Social media can also be a great platform for submitting ekphrastic poetry. Writers can use websites such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to showcase their work and discover other poets who are actively promoting their ekphrastic poetry. While the noise may be overwhelming, some platforms, such as #ekphrasticpoetry, can offer poets a great way to find and engage with readers who may be interested in their poetry.
Lastly, writers should always keep in mind that editors are looking for well-crafted, original poetry. They’re also likely to reject ekphrastic works that are overly simplistic or do not immediately evoke an emotional response in the reader. To be successful in submitting their work, writers should strive to create poems that are visually stimulating, emotionally charged and unique.
The Value of Critique
As noted, ekphrastic poetry can be a great way to display one’s artistic talents and share with the world their unique interpretation on art. However, there is more to submitting ekphrastic poetry than merely getting it accepted into a magazine. After they’ve been accepted, ekphrastic poets can reap a multitude of benefits from critiques from editors or peers.
In particular, critiques allow for an exchange in ideas and foster a deeper understanding about one’s poetry. Through the critical analysis, a writer can obtain insight into things that can lower the quality of their ekphrastic poem. Critiques will allow for a writer to identify problems like an incomplete plot or a lack of imagery, but it can also help identify what’s working best in the poets work as well.
In order to receive critiques of one’s ekphrastic poem, it’s advised that writers join a reading group or attend workshops. These groups allow writers to receive critical support, offer constructive criticism and participate in discussion around ekphrastic poetry.
Moreover, critiques of ekphrastic poetry can also be an incredible source of inspiration. Often, writers become stuck in their creative process and finding the right words can be quite tedious. Receiving critiques can not only allow writers to become aware of the tone and voice of their poem, but also discover different and often unorthodox ways to approach their poet.
The Benefits of Ekphrastic Poetry
Ekphrastic poetry is an incredibly rewarding and gratifying form of writing and often yields tremendous benefits when done well. Writing ekphrastic poetry can not only hone poets writing skills, but it can also expand their knowledge of art and culture. Additionally, when submitting ekphrastic poems for publication, poets can build a larger online presence, increase their readership and even open new doors for future writing endeavors.
Moreover, when writing ekphrastic poetry it’s important that poets take the time to consider their individual motives. From personal fulfillment to self-expression, the rewards of writing ekphrastic poetry are abundant. Many find that writing ekphrastic poetry is an effective and resilient form of healing or therapy. By focusing on art and exploring its themes, many have written their way through trauma and difficult times in their lives.
Overall, writing ekphrastic poetry can be immensely rewarding for a poet. Though it does require a good bit of research and thought, taking part in this creative endeavor can be an incredible way to create something unique and even life-changing.
Why Is It Relevant?
Ekphrastic poetry is becoming increasingly popular. It’s an interesting way to respond to a piece of artwork and can be an incredible way to use one’s writing to share their unique opinions and interpretations on an artwork. After all, great writing is often fueled by incredible artwork.
Through their writing, poets are not only engaging viewers, but also providing an aesthetic explanation for art and a means to facilitate conversations about them. This is why ekphrastic poetry has become so relevant – as a way to explore the depths of culture and art and ultimately expand our understanding of them.
As writers continue to revel in their creativity and share their works in an optimistic exchange of ideas, ekphrastic poetry further establishes itself as a vibrant and cathartic form of expression. By deeply engaging with an artwork, poets of all different skills and background can create truly captivating works.
Ekphrastic Challenges
In order to be successful in writing ekphrastic poetry, poets must possess the ability to capture a piece of art and express it in their own words. Taking part in art challenges, such as The Ekphrastic challenge, can allow poets to hone their skills and better understand how to articulate their thoughts and feelings in a concise and thoughtful way.
These challenges can also be a great source of inspiration, as they are filled with various art forms and offer a variety of themes and topics to inspire the creativity of any poet. Challenges often provide poets with an opportunity to see a wider range of works, which can then spark new ideas and give birth to an even better poem.
Overall, participating in ekphrastic challenges can be a great way to improve a poet’s writing – to stimulate inspiration and gain appreciation of the diversity of art. By taking part in these challenges, poets can enrich their writing and explore the realm of ekphrastic poetry.
How to Incorporate Art into Your Writing
Once an ekphrastic poem has been given an opportunity to be displayed, poets might find themselves considering how to incorporate art into their other works. One way to do this is by collaborating with an artist. By connecting with an artist, poets can draw upon their individual talents in order to create a more vivid and stunning piece of work.
Additionally, many artists are now taking part in online writing challenges which allow for truly collaborative works of art to be shared. By using platforms such as Twitter or Instagram, poets and artists can connect with one another and create dynamic pieces of artwork by first discussing their ideas and then creating the work together.
Finally, poets can draw upon their original works as inspiration when writing. Revisiting stories, essays or poetry and then looking for ways to incorporate art into them can often lead to unique pieces of writing that can stimulate discussion and engage viewers in deeper ways.
