Publishing work for the first time can be a daunting task for young poets. As a part of the Writer’s Life lecture series, four published poets from the Madison area will be available to share their experiences and give advice to aspiring writers.

Matthew Guenette, the faculty host for the event, found that things had changed since he was a student getting published.

“There was a big process to be published in the top journals, and that was what you did to progress your profile as a published poet. Technology has allowed a whole host of different poetry sub-communities to seize the means to take control of publishing, and publish various aesthetics and schools,” Guenette said.

The publishing industry has changed drastically over the last few years. The mass popularity of the Internet as a new medium, of course, has contributed to this.

Though there are more opportunities than ever to get published, the competition is as fierce as it’s ever been. The Internet means that more people from a variety of backgrounds have access to the tools to try to get their work published, and the quality of venues is not always so prestigious.

“With the range of places a poet can publish, I wonder if the way we think about the achievement of getting published has maybe changed,” Guenette said.

But for those interested in getting their poems published, the process is still daunting. Rejection letters from literary publications may discourage many new writers. Guy Thorvaldsen, a Madison College instructor and published author of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, encourages young writers to keep trying. His work has appeared in “The Barefoot Review,” “The Aurorean,” The First Day,” “Verse Wisconsin” and Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets calendar. His poem “This Boy” won the 2013 Kay Saunders Memorial New Poet award.

“If we’re writing poetry and not sending it out because we’re afraid of being rejected, and we’re waiting till we write what we think is the publishable poem, we are neglecting the idea of audience which is what will give us feedback on how our poem – communication out into the world – lands, and is received,” he said.

Publishing is more than just writing poems and sending them out, though. There are protocols that must be followed when contacting literary magazines, and good manners that must be used. The panel will be able to inform students of the things they will need to make it in the publishing world beyond just a really good poem.

The other members on the panel are published poets Andrew Potos, who works at a bookseller in Madison, and Australian-born Katrin Talbot, who is the Poet-in-Residence for Sound Ensemble Wisconsin. Though all four are published poets, they come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and will be able to share their diverse opinions with students who are just starting out. Attendees are sure to find lots of inspiration and encouragement, as well as real-life advice from veteran poets.

Thorvaldsen encourages poets starting out not to be discouraged by the publishing community. “I think that poets starting out are trying to see what’s out there, and then trying to write to that, as opposed to really writing what their voice is,” he said.

The panel will take place on Thursday Feb. 27, at 7 p.m., in Downtown campus Room D311. It is free to the public and there will be a question and answer session. Also speaking will be Andrea Potos, the author of “We Lit the Lamps Ourselves,” “Abundance to Share With the Birdss,” “Yaya’s Cloth” and “The Perfect Day.” Katrin Talbot will speak as well. Her collection of work “Freeze-Dried Love” was recently released from Finishing Line Press.