Something About Submissions and The New Yorker Magazine

A few weeks ago I submitted six of

my oldest poems (written some time

ago in the early 80s) to the prestigious

New Yorker Magazine. Why so late,

the curious and thoughtful reader may

ask? Back then, when I was a novice

at submitting my works, I along with

millions of other hopeful writers,

became discouraged by publisher’s

customary rejections of the unknown.

Thank you for your submission, the

letter of response starts out, and then

continues ...but at this time...Oh, I get it.

Not of the Walt Whitman, Robert Frost or

Emily Dickinson caliber, eh? Well, forget

it then; I’ll post my works on line. ( I did

have to wait a few years even then until

the Internet was a capable venue for my

work to be displayed.) Alas, I eventually

reached a ripe old age in my lifetime I

had never intended to reach. Recently,

I decided to dig up some of my earlier

works because the more current stuff

has already been published on an Inter-

net poetry site which The New Yorker

will then not accept for submission. I

figure after all these years of reading,

writing and reciting poetry, it was time

for one last shot at submitting my work

to The New Yorker. And, Dear Editor,

should you happen to find one of my

poems worthy of publication, this old

man would be grateful if you would

send me a free copy of that issue, for I

do not now nor have I ever paid for or

subscribed to your magazine.

Besides, I don’t have much more time

to waste submitting to your fine pub-

lication. Sincerely…

Chris Hanch 5-27-19