@jwatson You're running into the same problems I'm having here. A lot of people that write don't see themselves as artists, look at the poet section for more of the artsy side of writing. While writing has far more established rules of mechanics and best practices you're going to have to deal with that. If you're attempting to get a publisher to pick you up and make some money off of you, then you have to play by their rules. On the flip side, modern artists do not get commissioned by anyone for work without a gallery first. They're right in saying that established writers can get away with what you're wanting because they have that gallery in the form of published work. Luckily in our time of technology, you can build your gallery with your writing and be self published. They want a writing sample, provide a link. Are you published, yup. Please don't feel subservient to publishers, unless you want them to feed you, then bow down and take it. You're creative, don't let anyone take that from you.
