From "Mr. Small Fish"
Ron Singer

Editor's Note: Haunted by a page from a resume that I found in a copy shop about a year ago ("From a Small Fish in the Floating World," elimae, #8, 2006), I managed through a tortuous process involving bribes, invoices, and address changes to track down the artist, who is still "plugging away." At her suggestion, I scrolled through the Submissions/Acceptances computer file of her husband, a writer. I offer the following snippet from this huge (1.8 MB) file in the hope that it may cast new light on the resume. RS

4/11/07: response to submission, De Bibulous Literary Journal: Thank you for your submission, "Lock Down." While it does not meet. . . luck. . . elsewhere.
-query to GoFish.net: Submissions open yet?
-acknowledgment, Poemegranates (online): Your poem cycle "Murmurs of the Hearth" has been successfully received. We will get back to you within four to six months. Due to . . . volume . . . not . . . contact us.
-response to submission, The New Yorker: Thank you for your submission, which we have decided not to use.
-response to submission, xanadu-zine: Although XZ will not be using "Cats at the Casino," we found parts of this short poem clever and amusing. Please consider. . .
-response to submission, Poesis: Box checked: No. Title: "Hot & Cold Appetizers. . ."
-notice of acceptance, Stories from the Groin (online): We would like to publish "Tightly Packed Pants" in a future issue of SFTG(o), which could not exist without writers like you. Congratulations on your great work! Keep it up!
-warning, GoFish.net: Could not send message for past 8 hours.

4/12/07: response to submission, Between the Bars: Prison Narratives: In response to your story, "In Praise of Margaritas," we strongly suggest that you read an issue or two of Between the Bars before sending us anything else. Copies may be ordered from. . .
-response to submission, xanadu-zine: Although XZ will not be using "Cats at the Casino," we found parts of this short poem clever and amusing. Please consider. . .
-response to submission, Poemegranates (online): We are unable to use your submission "Murmurs of the Harp." Please wait at least eight months before. . .
-note: Kurt Vonnegut died last night. So it goes.
-response to submission, Working the Lines: We will not be using your poem, "Hot and Cold Appetizers, or Daughters of the Shrink." Yours truly, . . .
-notice of acceptance, gemindschaft.org: We are pleased to inform you that we will be running "Rabbit, Walk" in our next issue, which should be out later today. Thnaks and congratulations of this, clever spoof.
-warning, GoFish.net: Could not send message for past 8 hours.
-response to submission, Zero at the Bone: A Journal of Postmodern Poetry and Poetics:
Dear Mr. --,
While the editors were generally impressed by your poetical-fictional autobiography, "Painter and Poet: Mrs. Sprat & Mr.," we will not be using it because:
Box #14 (checked): No Rhyming Verse.
Handwritten note beneath box: Sorry, Mr. --, Two rhymed couplets, pp.107 & 451. We encourage. . . re-read. . . guidelines. . . future submissions to ZAB-JO-PAP.