This month we’re talking to RHINO magazine! Keep reading and you may win a FREE RHINO T-shirt . Read a little about their contests, prizes, nominations, and what they’re looking for in an ideal submission. Take note: They want your best work when they are reading again!
CONTEST: Leave a comment on this blog post by November 1 to enter to win a FREE RHINO T-shirt (featuring the adorable rhino to the left!). This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Patricia, our winner. Thank you to all who participated!
Give us the lowdown on your journal’s mission.
“Poetry that bursts with imagination and innovation” is how New Pages described what happens in RHINO, an annual literary journal featuring poetry, translations, and flash fiction. We offer cash prizes and support writers with workshops, readings, and an interactive relationship on our “Big Horn Blog” which includes audio versions of RHINO poems and interviews with contributors. We also nominate poets for Best New Poets, Verse Daily, and the Pushcart Prize.
Describe your ideal submission in 15 words or less.
Fresh language wrapped in (or on) a form that works on the page and when read aloud.
Tell us about a piece you recently published that got the staff really excited. Why did you love it? Why did it strike a chord? Can readers find it online (if so, feel free to include the URL)?
Our staff members get really excited about at least one piece at almost every meeting. Readers can read the pieces we awarded prizes to in our back issues and here: http://rhinopoetry.org/contests/ and in our current and back issues and here: http://rhinopoetry.org/the-journal/rhino-poetry-2012/.
Regarding submissions: What’s the most common turn-off that you encounter (in terms of craft)?
Writing trying to be something instead of being that thing.
What’s the most common oversight (in terms of submission guidelines)?
Most of our submissions follow the guidelines, but sometimes someone tries to sneak in more than 5 poems or fiction longer than flash fiction. We read so much already; if there’s a too-long submission, it feels a little like a party guest who keeps leaning in too close. Maybe it’s brilliant, but bad breath begins to get in the way of appreciation.
Why is your journal awesome?
Our editorial care is evident in the diversity of poems and poets, attention to emotional, intellectual, and often edgy content, and high quality of printing. Basically it’s a great journal to take anywhere and have around for something startling or thoughtful.
Where can readers find your submission guidelines?
What else would you like to say?
Back issues are only $6! http://rhinopoetry.org/the-journal/past-issues/
Thank you!
Check out RHINO on Facebook and Twitter!
Contest: Leave a comment by November 1 to win! THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
If I win, I promise to wear my RHINO t-shirt to the next RHINO reading I attend at The Brothers K Cafe!
P.S. RHINO is a wonderful magazine.
Sounds like a great mag! (And that Rhino is crazy cute.)
I think it would be an awesome mag to get. I might just have to order a back issue and then order a subscription to get a good idea of what you are looking for. Thanks
Looks like a great magazine. I like the idea of a format intended to read aloud.
Rhino’s ideal submission description created this image to my mind:
Something vibrantly tasty, draped in a robe of spinach, striding along a catwalk, while the eardrums of viewers throbbed to the beat.
Thanks for the insight. Btw, love the Rhino’s expression.
Rhino magazine sounds like a writer and poet’s dream vacation spot. Until I can stay there a while, I would love to walk around with the Rhino rhino on my back. It would be great motivation seeing that rhino in front of my desk.
Rhino is my favorite literary magazine.
I’d love to wear this snazzy Rhino! (It brings to mind a late poet, a friend of mine, who was particularly fond of rhinos.) This interview inspired me to go to Rhino’s website (I hadn’t heard of it before) and check it out. Sounds like a great mag, and I’d like to see a copy.
Had not heard of you before, but will definitely be checking you out now. 🙂
Being a newcomer startles my stomach butterflies, but I’m willing to dip my toes into these new waters. Excited to see what inspiration a Rhino might give me!
It is nice to know there are still magazines out there hungry for poetry. I enjoyed reading the winning contest entries.
Enticing and interesting. Lots of potential for the writer/author, this Rhino. Think of something with a tough hide and able to lead through tough brush and swirling water.
Looks like a great journal, with a great logo to boot! I’ll keep Rhino in mind for my next round of submissions.
I will certainly be submitting soon. Thank you.
RHINO seems to get better and better. I dream of having a poem in there someday!