literary landfill

Writers are unable or unwilling to dispose of large batches of their work. Instead they persist in publishing anything and everything they can, thus they create the conditions that cause even their best pieces to be covered up in the sheer volume of work out in the world. It’s not easy to spot a gold watch in a landfill.

blotting himself out

Publishing and publishing more, he was publishing himself into anonymity.

more renown

One of those poets who thought by publishing so much, renown would follow.

papering over

Certain poets try to paper over their deficiencies by publishing too much.