Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you offer personal rejection notices? / I haven't received a response yet, what does that mean?
A: We receive a lot of submissions. We try (if time allows) to respond to everyone. Response time should never be longer than 90 days. Most of the time we respond within 45 days but it all depends on how many submissions we have. If we have not responded within 90 days your work was either lost in transmission of formatted improperly (if you sent an attachment for example) and deleted.

What is the acceptance rate for poetry?
A: Approx. 8%-15%

How many submissions do you receive per quarter?
A: About 175-250 per quarter. The last time we counted was May-July of 2008. During that quarter we received 221 submissions.

How do you decide which work to publish?
A: The CommonLine Project is a dictatorship. The Editor-In-Chief makes all the final decisions about publication, although the managing editor's opinion is heavily considered in all instances. Reading the work on the site is a sure way to incease your chances of publication. You could also send cash. Anything above $50 is sure to get your poetry on the site.

Should I do a final edit on my piece before I send it, or do the editors do that for me?
A: Yes, yes, yes! Please do final edits. If the work is received like a first draft it will be deleted.

How can I contact other authors from my area that have appeared on The Commonline Project?
A: Write to Common-Line@hotmail.com and ask us for assistance. If we have time we will help you out (maybe); although I'm not sure why you want to talk to a bunch of poets..?

What does the feature on your main page have to do with literature?
A: Nothing. It's just to piss you off and make you confused.

Can I have my website or e-mail address published with my writing?
A: Yes, but please request this in your original submission.

What if my bio is longer than 100 words?
A: That’s OK. It’s just a guideline. A little more or less is okay.

Why is the editor such an asshole?
A: Contrary to popular opinion, the editor is not an asshole. He is a nice guy who is very sensitive and simply hides his soft, internal feelings, behind a wall of concrete emotions, gigantic muscles, and good looks...........Just kidding he is an asshole - so fuck off. :)

Who are the editors anyway?
A: The Editor-In-Chief / Poetry Editor is none other than Ananda Selah Osel. Ananda is a poet, a nihilist, and a amateur film watcher among other things. He makes all final decisions regarding the content of The CommonLine Project.

Vanessa Wilken is the Managing Editor / Artistic Advisor. Vanessa is an artist by trade and a graduate student at the University of Washington. She is responsible for the layout and general feel of the website as well as Ananda's main and most trusted consultant. Vanessa is also responsible for all grammatical errors that may exist.

At times we have guest editors and such. We also have a website guy but his identity is a secret.

How do I request a link?
A: Send a request to: common-line@hotmail.com. (It is very rare that we give links to individuals unless your work has appeared in The Commonline Project or the editors particularly like you, which is unlikely)

Can I ask a question?
A: Yes. Send all questions to common-line@hotmail.com.. We will not respond to questions that are ridiculous. Example: today I read a question from a writer who asked: “How many words can a question be? ”