Hi. I've been looking for a decent writing forum for some time, so stumbling across this one came as a godsend. I'm nineteen, and a poet, freelance journalist, and occasional writer of short stories. As of yet, I've never had anything published. I worked on a poem for months earlier this year, for a prize, only to fail to so much as make the shortlist. I've been knocked back by countless journals and magazines (once on the grounds of disability - that one stung), but am hoping to be able to strike out again. I've considered a self-published chapbook, but I feel as though self-publishing is frowned upon in the poets' world. Plus, I'm not yet happy with much of my poetry, and fear ridicule. That's me. If you'd like a human name to call me by, I answer to Dominic Kingsley. My pen name. "Kingsley" may seem to jar with "Dominic", but "Kingsley" was my late aunt's pen surname, and, as she is the only member of the group of relatives whom I grew up with for whom I still harbour any affection, I feel it's something of a duty to pay tribute, especially seeing as I missed both her funeral and the scattering of her ashes due to illness. So, yes, Dominic Kingsley. I've rambled on quite enough. That's me.
Welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy yourself and I'm sure you'll learn a lot here. And don't be discouraged, keep with it and I'm sure you'll catch a break a some point.