On a personal level I certainly do buy books by tiny presses, micropresses, self-published stuff, etc. so maybe it is hypocritical of me not to submit my ms. to the same publishers (not that I feel like I’m depriving them of something!) – but if (when?) I get a book out it will be important for me to have it in libraries. Really, to me, that’s how I will know the work will outlive me – and since I don’t have kids, I want SOMETHING to outlive me! 😉

I hear poets sometimes say that they don’t edit their poems, or don’t read poetry, that they just write it. I wonder at that. And at why they are so proud of it. I think they believe that it adds to their edge, that they are this damn good at writing, and they don’t even take it seriously. Like when someone beats someone else at chess,and then with a grin lets everyone know it was their first time.

I do feel that it is odd that poets do not support other poets. I always found that odd. I realize that poets are not rich people (at least the poets I know are not rich), but I know that I support the poetry community by buying books all the time! In fact, I’m much more afraid of spending the money on a MFA.

As for presses — I buy what I like. Small press. Big Press. In fact, now that I think about it, I support small presses more because I like what they publish more!