Steps for Publishing a Poetry Book
Dream of becoming a renowned poet one day? Writing down an entire compilation of poems? Well, publishing a poetry book is a milestone in the artistic journey of a poet – a significant event to celebrate the hours of hard work and dedication put into each craft. Here is an insight on how to go about publishing poems in the form of book.
First, you need to make sure that all your poems are polished and refined after numerous drafts to be ready for submission, as these will be reviewed by professionals. A project like this involves plenty of reworking, restructuring, reorganizing and redrafting, in order to make sure that the book is as close to perfect as it can be given that it will be published and critiqued by a wider readership.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to publishing a poetry book – two of the common routes include traditional publishing and self-publishing. If the poet desires to opt for the former, the poem needs to be sent for submission to various publishers, who then decide if it is fit to be printed or not. It requires much effort and could even take years for the poet’s work to get noticed, as publishing houses receive hundreds of submissions and requests from other more experienced authors as well.
On the other hand, self-publishing is a practical and convenient choice which can lead to original work being published quickly; and while the poet doesn’t need to wait for anyone’s approval, there are a few considerations to keep in mind, such as the cost of editing and printing, formatting, and so on. Marketers are also required so that the book will be well-edited, as well as to target the right readers, which could be a great deal of pressure.
Either way, the poet is in full control of making the best of their creation either through the traditional publishing route or independent publishing platforms. All these processes may seem a bit overwhelming, but with the right guidance and knowledge, the poet will soon be able to publish a poetry book without too much hassle.
Prepare Proofs
Organizing and preparing proofs beforehand can save a great deal of time and money when publishing a poetry book. As mentioned earlier, the quality of each poem matters and every word should be firmly in place such that the compilation does not contain any errors. For this, the poet must set aside some time for activities such as proofreading, copy-editing, solving any ambiguities and typos.
Having a quality control department is then essential to the book formation process. Apart from polishing up the work within the cover page, the poet must also submit some sample chapters in order to get it initialised. It is also essential to check other mechanics such as the pagination, designing and formatting, compositions, and all other elements behind the scenes.
When it comes to manuscript format, guidelines are often issued by the publisher itself. Questions on page size, margin, font types and sizes, should also be adjusted accordingly. This can lead to interesting design challenges and there is often a great deal of artistic freedom. Upon refining the work, the last step involves creating proofs for the poet to review – a testimony that the book is ready for print.
Gather Resources
When a poetry book is ready for print, there still remain some details to consider such as the availability of relevant resources for publishing. This is related to artist fees, copyrights, royalties and other fees that go into the production, as well as some common costs such as layout, design and printing. Additionally, the poet might need to collaborate with a literary agent to cover other issues such as book tours, finding gigs, readings and interviews.
In short, the poet would have to take charge and control of the entire production process to get their name out there. This may involve a good number of investments, especially for self-publishers, as there are various costs involved. As such, the poet should take their time to evaluate the options available, in order to pick a printing service that fits best within their personal budget, and publishing timeline.
Ask for Reviews
Reviews are an essential part of the book production process, especially when publishing a poetry book, as they can help to create visibility among potential readership. Receiving positive reviews and feedback also adds credibility to the book, as well as a personal touch of the poet that can be seen throughout their pieces. This enables the poet to build their reputation as a published writer, at the same time allowing their work to reach a wider audience.
In light of this, the poet should perhaps allocate some time to invite reviews and critiques from the appropriate individuals who can provide meaningful and balanced opinions on the poetic work. For instance, reviews from discussed authors and industry experts can help to establish the quality of the work and spread the discipline among readers. Furthermore, the poet can also look into alternative means of endorsements such as fan pages and online platforms.
Create a Bold Statement
On a parallel note, launching a poetry book requires an effective marketing strategy to gain traction among readers. After the initial works of editing and preparing proofs, the poet must come up with an efficient communication strategy to promote the book. This includes anything from creating a custom publication website to social media posts, as well as campaigns with influencers or press coverage.
The poet also needs to come up with ways to connect to their audience emotionally. Provoking bold statements, or creating a special character or a fictional story will be great tools of engagement to attract new readers. The poet should also craft a captivating cover page, which should be designed around the central theme of the book in order to serve as the first scene of the poet’s story.
Create Awareness
In addition to the marketing efforts, having a proper release plan for the book is also a good way to decide on when and how the book should be published. Having this plan means that the poet will have an idea of the following activities such as book signings and distribution networks, as well as understanding the type of readership the book will reach out to. After gaining a considerable amount of traction, the book will be ready to be sold.
When it comes to sales, engaging the readers to buy the poet’s works is another challenge. It is important for the poet to be aware of their existing audience and reach out to potential buyers. Additionally, it is recommended to grant an exclusive preview of the book to selected individuals or readers – this could help to create anticipation and encourage potential buyers to invest in the work.
Explore E-books
The digital age has enabled the poet to explore the possibility of becoming an independent publisher of their book. Conventionally, the poet would distribute the hard copy of the book to the retailer and the store manager will put the book up for sale in their shop, but now, digital technology has opened up more potential markets – especially in the form of e-books.
Going digital can simplify and minimise the hassle for the poet, as well as bring better returns as the amount of readers continues to grow. The poet can now simply upload the book in the designated online portals to begin selling their work. After sales and marketing, e-books also require a good content delivery system in order to ensure the poet can reach a wide readership. The success formula for this front is quite simple – offering books at the right place, price and time.
Plan Your Next Move After Publication
Publishing a poetry book may come with a huge sigh of relief. With that being said, it takes a lot of extra effort and dedication to build on the success of the book and eventually turn it into a career. Following the release of the book, the poet should start thinking and planning ahead as much as possible.
This can range from introducing their book at literary events and bookstores, to engaging with literary agents, marketing the book or submitting it to literary awards. Networking with other writers and poets can also open up a whole new world of opportunities. These activities will then act as catalysts to the poet’s career as a published writer.
Embrace Your New Status As a Published Poet
Currently, publishing a poetry book remains a difficult and achievable dream for many. To take the full advantage of all-time available resources, the poet should be equipped with the right tips, such as formulating a plan, allocating time and resources, and, above all, having a passion and commitment to pursue the work.
At the end of this road, the poet will be proud of their work, as the reality of their book in print finally sinks in. It is a worthy reward after days of tireless work. As the poet celebrates the publication of their book, it is important to keep a positive attitude and pave the way for the next success, for there will always be room for a new project.
