by Kristiana Hunt
Being a successful writer is nothing new to WVU Parkersburg’s very own Sandra Kolankiewicz. With over 50 publications, she added three more to the list just in July of 2011 – “When Your Parents Are Dying,” a more personal poem, “Stimulus,” about the results of the stimulus package and “Lazy Cartographer’s Journey," about willful ignorance during change.
With a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D from Ohio University on top of writing seminars at John Hopkins University, it’s no surprise she’s so successful. Before her son was diagnosed with autism, Dr. Kolankiewicz thought very little of putting effort into publishing her work or reaching an audience. After the diagnosis, things changed. “I was very shaken by the autism experience,” Dr. Kolankiewicz said, “and entering the contests was a good distraction.”
The effort that Dr. Kolankiewicz now puts into publishing her work is a key component to her success. This summer alone, she sent her poems to 25 different journals. After her work “Turning Inside Out” won the prize at Black Lawrence Press, she sent her work to about 50 different journals. Almost 20 different poems of hers have been a finalist, semi-finalist or a winner in prize competitions.
However, out of the 25 journals she mailed to, only four accepted her work. Four rejected the work, and the remaining never contacted her. “The main thing is to research the publication you are shooting for, give it your best, and don’t let disappointment keep you from trying again,” she said. She keeps things in perspective by reminding herself how many talented writers there are out there. “Have so much stuff in the mail that it doesn’t matter if one place rejects you,” she said.
Being a successful writer is nothing new to WVU Parkersburg’s very own Sandra Kolankiewicz. With over 50 publications, she added three more to the list just in July of 2011 – “When Your Parents Are Dying,” a more personal poem, “Stimulus,” about the results of the stimulus package and “Lazy Cartographer’s Journey," about willful ignorance during change.
With a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D from Ohio University on top of writing seminars at John Hopkins University, it’s no surprise she’s so successful. Before her son was diagnosed with autism, Dr. Kolankiewicz thought very little of putting effort into publishing her work or reaching an audience. After the diagnosis, things changed. “I was very shaken by the autism experience,” Dr. Kolankiewicz said, “and entering the contests was a good distraction.”
The effort that Dr. Kolankiewicz now puts into publishing her work is a key component to her success. This summer alone, she sent her poems to 25 different journals. After her work “Turning Inside Out” won the prize at Black Lawrence Press, she sent her work to about 50 different journals. Almost 20 different poems of hers have been a finalist, semi-finalist or a winner in prize competitions.
However, out of the 25 journals she mailed to, only four accepted her work. Four rejected the work, and the remaining never contacted her. “The main thing is to research the publication you are shooting for, give it your best, and don’t let disappointment keep you from trying again,” she said. She keeps things in perspective by reminding herself how many talented writers there are out there. “Have so much stuff in the mail that it doesn’t matter if one place rejects you,” she said.