Poetry Publication Submissions

[tectak]

If you submit a poem for publication, is it wise to have it posted on a poetry site such as this, especially when you claim that it has not been published previously?

Hi chris,
The question should be ...is it wise to submit a poem for publication!
Look, what you write is YOURS. You own the copyright even if you do not claim the copyright.
When you "submit" (and how true the word is) you hope it will be accepted. Once the publisher "decides" to publish one must assume it is to the advantage of both parties...you and the publisher. If it is CONDITIONAL, and stated so, that the work is YOURS and has NOT been published elsewhere...then disclosure is the answer. If the poem is deemed to be good enough to advantage the publisher, a previous posting on a site such as this will not be a cause for exclusion. You should note the number of times I say "your poem" in crit. It IS your poem. No matter that suggestions of "others" were taken up...that could happen if you read it to your postman.
Best,
Tom
PS. It is better if you are ASKED by a publisher than if you ASK the publisher...though one happens more than the other.