Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

When I started Acumen, I anticipated reviewing the situation when I reached issue10. Once there I thought about coming of age at 21; then getting to the Millennium issue. It was only after these hurdles had been passed that I began to wonder if I could reach 50 issues.

   Do I feel that Acumen has done anything for poetry? I’ve published many new writers, some of whom have gone on to have books and pamphlets by the more established poetry presses; I’ve introduced a few series of articles or other innovations (such as Focus for Readers) which other magazines have adapted and adopted. So as imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ...

   But I think what has pleased me most are those letters from readers saying how much a poem has meant to them; helped them through a period of their own life, recalled experiences pleasant and otherwise, or just made them see something differently or more deeply. I’ve never published these letters in ‘Responses’ as I feel they are private between the poet and the reader and I feel privileged as editor to be allowed a glimpse of these private emotions.

   But nothing could have been achieved alone. I have many people to thank, too many to name individually, but I can’t let the occasion go by without acknowledging the help of Glyn Pursglove. Glyn has unfailing supplied me with 25 pages of ‘Reviews’ for each issue since no 8; on time, on disc – which to a busy editor is like manna from heaven. Thanks also to Danielle Hope, the advisory editor. Danielle is the one I turn to when the awkward letters come in; when the awkward problems crop up; when I’m feeling I’ve lost direction and
need to get back on the poetic straight and narrow. She has unstintingly given of her time with some of the best advice an editor could have. William, who deals with my emotional tantrums, late meals and requests to stuff envelopes and the like on too many occasions. And though I haven’t mentioned money before, I must thank the various literary officers at ACE,SW and before at SWA
who have had faith in Acumen and given it positive help in many ways. Also European Instruments of Oxford who have supported the magazine right from the start, and the anonymous donors who’ve sent in cheques (often when I needed one the most). But above all, I want to thank you, the poets who send in their work and the readers who subscribe to the magazine. Without you, there would be no Acumen.