"What might be helpful would be to hear a concise definition from Jim of those songs I would call new folk music."
You have been given a list of writers who make new songs - whether they fall into the category of 'new folk music' is a matter of debat.
Tell you what.
Write a song and give it to one of your workmates who isn't a folkie.
If you come back in a year or so's time to find that he has learned it and is singing it and has passed it on to his mates, who, in their turn have done likewise..... to the extent that your song has been accepted and sung by a significant number of people, and even maybe has been adapted into numerous versions and has reached the situation where you are no longer its owner...... then you might, just might have the makings of a folk song on your hands.
Please report back
" he's declined to give a clear answer"
I have never declined - can't say any clearer than a song that has been made using traditional forms - doesn't make it a folk song without the above happening though
Jim Carroll