genuine sincerity

[A]ll it takes to become part of the “indie lit scene”... [is] blogging, linking, commenting, and submitting relentlessly.

The cranks out there will say that what I’m describing sounds like a pile of in-crowd, who-you-know bullshit and just offers further proof that editors only publish their friends. But to them I’d say — if it’s that easy, go make some friends and tell me how it works out for you. The truth is, we’re not “friends.” We may be on Facebook, but in real life we’re not attending each other’s baby showers and third-cousins’ funerals. It takes engagement and effort to make a name for yourself. There’s no room for elitism or snobbery, and good luck to you if you’re only shooting for The New Yorker and The Paris Review. I’ve said this before but I’ll say it here too: if The Buttcrack Review asked me for a poem I’d send them three.

To close, I offer this: I think there’s only one single thing that can help get a person ahead — genuine sincerity. All one has to do is truly love what this little pocket of the publishing world has to offer, and express that love by taking advantage of all available possibilities. And the best thing about it is anyone, absolutely anyone, can do so at any time. That is the strength of the “indie lit” scene.

{Molly Gaudry via Used Furniture Review}

YES.