An Interview with Free Verse Revolution
Kristiana Reed is the founder and editor of Free Verse Revolution: a literary magazine. Reed took over the Free Verse Revolution WordPress blog over two years ago, from Canadian novelist Nicholas Gagnier, and in January 2021 relaunched the blog as a literary magazine. The heart of FVR lies in the sharing of work by writers and creators from all over the world, and it prides itself in the diverse voices it has shared thus far. FVR’s instagram handle is @freeverserevolutionlit and you can view FVR’s current submission guidelines on the website - www.freeverserevolution.com.
Why was the publication started?
Prior to the relaunch in 2021, Free Verse Revolution was a blog which shared poetry and prose daily by talented writers from across the globe. Despite the incredible community this garnered, it began to feel stagnant regarding the pool of submissions and quality of the work shared. Thus, I decided to step away from the daily posting and looked for a format which would allow for longer submission periods and quarterly showcases of talent FVR is already familiar with, as well as new voices and artists. This also meant FVR expanded into accepting artwork, photography and visual poetry. I currently produce digital issues (which are free to download) but hope to move into print publication by 2022. I chose the digital format for 2021 simply due to this being a new venture for FVR.
What are the top three things you look for in a submission?
The top three things FVR looks for in written submissions are originality in the creator’s voice cohesion throughout the piece, and a narrative. Our issues are themed and so feeling a story being told in the submission is fantastic and lends itself to the type of work we publish.
For visual or photography submissions, FVR looks for quality/high resolution images, a clear interpretation of the issue’s theme, and something unique with regard to perspective or style.
What turns you off a submission?
A lack of cohesion/proof-reading can be a bugbear. I will always go through an in-depth editing process ahead of the issue’s release and grammatical errors, etc., are not an issue. But pieces which clearly lack refinement and having time spent on polishing them can be a turn off. As can submissions that have no real link to the theme itself or have obviously been sent to multiple publications without any thought to what the individual publications are actually looking for.
What advice would you give writers trying to publish with your magazine?
Any magazine will often say to look into their previous issues ahead of submitting, and I agree. Magazines do not say this in the hope for more downloads or purchases, it is said, so any submitter can decide if said magazine is the right place for their work. My other piece of advice would be not to be put off by a rejection. Due to each issue having a theme, sometimes work is rejected on the basis of trying to avoid repetition across an issue or so I can keep the issue as cogent as possible. As I accept submissions, the issue takes shape and begins to tell a story, and not every submission will work with this.
What advice can you give to editors who would like to start their own literary publication, and why?
Set yourself clear boundaries; especially if you begin the publication alone. You will have expectations of what you hope to achieve, and your audience will come with preconceived ideas too. Be realistic with what time you have, so you do not fall at the first hurdle and feel as if you have failed or disappointed your audience. This is why FVR began with only digital issues and as yet does not have very fancy design in the interior of the issues. It is about knowing your limits, but not allowing these limits to stop you from putting yourself out there. Finally, do your research. Talk to other editors, submit to magazines to see how they word their acceptance and rejection emails, visit the websites of other magazines; this way you learn the already established etiquette around literary publications. Oh, and don’t be afraid of changing things if you need to!
Do you provide comments when you reject a submission?
I will always offer any rejected submission feedback, but I do not offer it unsolicited. I prefer to offer it rather than assume it is wanted, simply because I do not know the day said creator has had, and I understand full well how even constructed criticism can ruin your day. I still offer it though because sometimes a rejection isn’t rejected on the basis of it ‘not being good enough’ but because it does not fit with the issue as a whole, and if I reject something based on quality than I do not want the writer/creator to feel as if they can never submit again because of one submission.
Based on your experience as an editor, what have you learned about writing?
I have learned I can be a bit of a snob if I’m not careful. There have been times when I have considered rejecting a submission because the piece doesn’t suit the style I enjoy, but could still resonate with others. I try not to let the snob win. This has opened up my preferences and enabled me to view the eclecticism inherent in writing and enjoy this, rather than arriving at a piece with preconceived notions on what is and isn’t good.
What have been some high points of running a literary magazine?
The highest point has been the response FVR has received since relaunching. The changes were made with great trepidation, so the reception the first two issues have received has been wonderfully heart-warming. I always enjoyed running the blog and sharing the work of others is a real passion of mine, so having the opportunity to do this in the format of a magazine which will eventually be in print is very rewarding and exciting. The people make being an editor a joy.
What are your long-term goals or plans?
It has been touched upon already, but FVR sincerely hopes to expand into print soon. I am currently toying with the idea of running a limited run for Issue I and Issue II to test the waters in print publication and to establish how much interest there is in printing future issues of the magazine. Regardless of this test, 2022 will definitely be the year print versions become available. Digital issues will remain free of charge but print versions will have to be purchased, this is because, as any editor hopes, FVR would eventually like to compensate contributors for their work.
What is your comment on the future of poetry publishing?
The future of poetry publishing rests in the hands of those who write and share it. The traditional publishing houses will always turn towards the household names and then attempt to pick from the vast pool of up-and-coming voices. But any bookshop reminds you how small this publishing world is, with only one or two shelves dedicated to poetry. Thus, those who write it and those who love it will be the future; will be the reason poetry continues to move people in the way it always has.