How To Get A Poetry Book Published

How to Get a Poetry Book Published

It’s the dream of many poets to have their work published – whether in print, online, or both. Publishing a poetry collection can seem especially daunting, since a book of poems usually calls for an audience that’s particularly interested in the style and subject matter. Thankfully, there are many paths to get a poetry book published. With the right resources, any poet can become a published author.

Gather Feedback and Secure Rights

Before attempting the process of getting your book published, make sure that your work is the best it can be by getting feedback from people you trust. Have other poets, teachers, or mentors take a look at your collection and let you know their thoughts. You should also make sure to only include poems and artwork that you have the rights to publish and use. Without proper clearance, you may open yourself up to risk for copyright infringement.

Go Analog or Digital

Once your collection is polished and ready to go, determine if you’d like to pursue a traditional publisher or if you’d like to self-publish. Self-publishing requires more technical skill and is a greater financial burden, as you’d need to cover the costs of printing, distribution, and any services you might hire to market or design the book. Publishing with a traditional press requires diligently following the publisher’s submission criteria and hoping that you get noticed by an editor – something that definitely isn’t guaranteed. In the end, it’s up to you and what resources you have available.

Apply for Grants, Awards, and Contests

Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities available for poets to financially back their work. Poetry awards from universities and literary magazines can lend a hand in covering the costs of your collection. And, if your book is accepted for publication, you are usually eligible for an advance payment, which helps cover those costs as well. Many cities and states also have awards and grants specifically allocated to writers who are looking to publish a collection. This can be a great way to bring your work to completion while also breaking even or making a small financial profit.

Join Online Writing Communities

Online communities are a great place to turn to during the creation process, or even when you’re done but you’re still searching for a publisher. Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook are all great places to find like-minded writers and discuss your work. Frequently, writers will be offering advice, contacts, and tips that may be beneficial to you. Also, you can use these forums to let people know that your book is up for submission with a publisher, that it’s available for preorder, or that it’s ready to go.

Marketing Your Collection

An often underrated part of the publication process is marketing. Whether you’re self-publishing or with a traditional house, you are also responsible for generating interest in your work once it’s finished. Social media use and engagement, along with blog interviews and Q&A sessions, will help you reach potential readers located all over the world. Goodreads is another terrific avenue to help build an audience. Creating a page and asking known contacts to review your book will create a better chance at a successful launch.

Releasing Your Collection

Making sure that your collection reaches the right hands takes a bit of research and networking. Of course, you should let your family and friends know that your book is available, but you should also make sure to find booksellers and distributors who will carry both printed and digital versions. Larger bookstores might be more willing to carry your product if you offer discounts from its initial retail price, so that’s certainly something to keep in mind.

Take Care of Yourself

Publishing a book of poems can be an intense, taxing process – it’s perfectly natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Make sure your mental health is taken care of as you’re working. Consider taking up a creative project that’s just for fun even as you work hard on your book. Take note of when burnout starts to kick in and try to set boundaries around work hours so that you have time to relax and enjoy yourself.

Doing Your Research

Doing research into your best options can be difficult and time-consuming. Attend conferences, lectures, and literary events in your area and join poets’ groups to learn more. Talk to poets and authors and get to know what their experience was like. Maybe even start an interview series with authors to learn some of their tricks and tips. Ask specific questions and try to get a clear idea of different paths you can take. Your research is the foundation of your success.

Hire Literary Agents and Editors

Hiring professionals might not be the most affordable option, but if you’re looking to become a career author, it can be a useful path to continue down. Literary agents, editors, and publicists can offer their own connections and resources to help get your work published. Plus, you can use their expertise to refine and polish your effort before submission. Networking with editors and agents will also allow you to learn more about the publishing world, which is always a plus.

Choose the Right Publisher

No matter what path you choose, make sure to do your research into the publisher and all their requirements. You should look at the submission guidelines and consideration periods to get an idea of what kind of work the publisher specializes in, and look at examples of the books they’ve produced in the past. Don’t be afraid to ask the publisher questions and look into specific deals, such as percentage splits and promotion strategies. Even if you’re self-publishing, you can still learn a lot from established publishers to ensure your book is successful.

Build an Audience

Part of being a successful author is getting to know your audience. Find readers who are passionate about your work and find out what they like and don’t like. Offer thoughtful feedback and engage with the stories your readers tell you. Identify the best ways you can reach an audience and promote your work. Whether it’s through creating a mailing list or through social media, make sure you can effectively communicate your work to an audience.

Be Ready for Rejections

The publishing world can be a discouraging place for poets. Rejections are inevitable, and it’s important to keep submitting and try again if your work is rejected. Take constructive criticism and don’t be afraid to make edits and adjust your work to make it more desirable. You should also be patient in the publishing process and deal with the delays that may occur. Don’t give up – if you knew your work was good initially, it’s most likely still worth pursuing.

Be proud of Your Work

The most important thing of all is that you should be proud of your work. You have the right to claim your story and to tell it in any way that you desire. Your unique style can be used to inspire readers and influence the literary world. Publishing poetry can be a complex path, but with the right resources and knowledge, any poet can become a successful writer.