Dear Up-and-Coming Lit Mag,
I thought we had an understanding. You, without so many issues off the ground, and I, having not published outside of my alma mater's periodical, could work together. You accept a poem of mine for publication and quell my first-timer jitters, and in return I have various family members purchase copies and contribute to your bottom line--everybody wins! I came to you humbly enough, not expecting you to give me the world. I was happy simply to be considered; I felt accomplished just submitting my work on time. So I clicked send and thought no more of it. Months passed. I moved on.
Then, you reached out. "We liked one of these enough to print it," you said, "so send us a wee bio and your mailing address. We'll send you a couple copies when the next issue prints." I replied immediately (almost immediately; I had to write the bio--I don't just keep drafts of those lying around just in case). Then, when I came to from my daydreams of reading tours, speaking engagements, honorary chair positions at esteemed colleges and universities and photoshoots for the book jacket, I told a few people. I told my parents, a few close friends and the wonderful writers whom I had called upon to workshop with me on such short notice. They were happy; I was happy; everybody was happy.
That was months ago, Lit Mag, and the issues that I was supposed to receive are still MIA. I know print media is going through it. I know magazines, especially start-ups, are having a hell of a time, add to that the fact that you are not aspiring to be pop-culture bird cage liner and it makes things even harder. I understand that. So, maybe there is no hard copy of this issue. Should I look online? Will my poem be there? Did you change your mind and don't want my poem anymore? Did the entire staff and affiliated printing press spontaneously combust? What gives? Seriously, I'm not mad. I just need closure. Tell me if you want me or not, so I can pick up my poems and peddle them elsewhere. Either way, you were still my first so no hard feelings.
Sincerely,
Me
