As many readers of this blog know, I edit the online poetry journal Bolts of Silk. In May I will have edited Bolts of Silk for five years. I have enjoyed this immensely and continue to do so. However recently I have started to wonder whether after five years a poetry journal perhaps should seek a new editor? I have seen poetry journals grow tired and stale when edited for too long by the same person and I have seen journals blossom and thrive when they get a new editor after years of stagnation under an overlong editorship.
I don't think Bolts of Silk has got tired, though perhaps I'm too close to it to be able to tell?
What do you think? Does Bolts of Silk need a new editor? Should it look for a new editor as a matter of principle? Any other thoughts? Thanks for your comments!
Juliet, I've followed this journal for a long time and never fail to enjoy the poems that you've chosen for any given date. If it works, don't fix it. :) But, if you choose a new editor, I'll gladly follow along!
ReplyDeleteI had a peek and I think the poetry you have chosen is lovely Juliet. No one is going to be unkind enough to tell you that it is stale (I hope not anyway). If you are still enjoying it then you will bring that enjoyment and enthusiasm to it and it will continue to prosper.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think Bolts of Silk is you - so having a new editor would be a bit weird - I think you should change only when you grow tired of editing it - I wouldn't change editors unless you have had enough (and then of course it is a good idea).
ReplyDeleteJust found you mentioned on oh's blog, and your wonderful prize and all, and since I'd never been here, I came to browse.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it all tremendously - this is a good thing you are doing! And I just was informed of late that what I'm doing for my little Lenten discipline can be considered "small stones". Who knew?!
Now that you're more than a name on oh's blog, I'll come visit more often. ;)
Just for new adventure and experience - move on! (But get a good replacement!)
ReplyDeleteThere's a time in a project's life when you feel you've hit a wall, and the only way to carry on is to do something different. Your input is too important and distinctive to lose - it's what makes the blog the great magazine it is, but maybe you could add team members to spread the load a bit and give you people to bounce off?
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments! I'm glad no-one is saying its necessarily time to find a new editor. At the moment i have enough time to carry on editing Bolts of Silk by myself though that may change. Elizabeth i like your idea of a team, but that may complicate things to the extent that it doesn't save as much time as it might seem in theory...
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest that having a new or a team of editors would be more hassle than it's worth. If you feel it is time to stop or just rest for a while then do so.
ReplyDeleteA new editor worth his/her salt would be better starting afresh.
I see no signs of either tiredness or staleness. I haven't known Bolts of Silk over the five years, of course. Unless you have grown tired of editing it, I don't think it needs another editor. Either way, my congratulations to you on the achievement to date.
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