Where to Publish your Poetry
Writing and publishing poetry can be an intimidating task for anyone, but with the right resources, you can easily get your work out there for the world to see. From magazines and small presses to open mic nights and online publications, there are a range of outlets available for budding poets to share their work. Here’s how to get started.
Find an Open Mic Night
The most popular avenue for sharing your written work is to find an open mic night or reading circle nearby. These meetings are a great way to safely test the waters with a live audience, plus they can be ideal for seeking feedback from veteran poets or even just to listen to new work. They are typically held in coffee shops or book stores and easily found online, in your local newspaper, or through local poetry organizations. Open mic nights have been growing in popularity as a way for both new and experienced poets to showcase their work.
Explore Online Publications
The internet has given poets more access to publishing their work than ever before. With the wealth of online magazines and blogs, poets of all levels can submit their work for publication, often completely free of charge. This is a great way to reach a wider audience, connect with a global community of writers, and gain recognition for your work. Some sites accept poems alongside stories and essays, while others are specifically dedicated to poetry. Each of these sites have their own individual set of rules and regulations for submissions, so it’s important to be sure that you understand the guidelines before you submit.
Consider Small Presses and Magazines
Another route for publishing your poetry is to go through independent presses. Repeatedly submitting your work to small presses is a great way to start making a name for yourself in the poetry world. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with their submission guidelines and individual tastes to make sure your work is a good fit for the press. Similarly, submitting your work to a magazine is another option to explore. Target a few magazines that you think your work would fit well within, and make sure to read the submission guidelines carefully. Keep in mind that written magazines are a great way to really showcase your talent, because they often pay a lot more than online magazines or blogs.
Establish a Website or Social Media Presence
Creating a website or blog is a great tool for poets to draw attention to their work. Many poets use their blog or website to post videos of their readings, gain recognition by linking to their work in other publications or by syndicating their work to other sites. Similarly, creating a presence on social media sites like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook can help promote your work and connect you with an audience of reader. Make sure that you use this time to actively engage with readers, comment on their work, engage in debates and promote any readings or performances that you have coming up. These outlets are a great way to gain recognition for your poetry and for people to know who you are and what your work is about.
Print your Own Chapbooks
One of the most popular ways for poets to sell their work is to produce a chapbook. Many poets are now opting to design their own chapbooks to give themselves more control and to use it as a platform to promote or present their work. This will allow your work to reach much more people if you chose to sell your work through Amazon or any major book retailer and it’s a great way to print out a copy of your own work to use for readings or for your own portfolio.
Take an Online Writing Course
If you’re relatively new to writing and publishing poetry, it might be a good idea to take a class either in person or online to build your skills. Many workshops offer the opportunity to meet peers who are also interested in writing, while private and online courses can help provide the tools and resources you need to make the most out of your work. Even if you don’t feel comfortable taking a class in person, you can always join writing groups and forums online. This will allow you to connect with other poets in your area, gain advice and feedback on your work and just to stay up to date on the industry.
Make Connections with Poets and Editors
Having a network of other poets, editors and publishers is essential to any writer. Establishing a good relationship with these people can make the difference in whether your work gets accepted or not and it’s a great way to build a name for yourself in the industry. Reach out to local publications and ask for advice by joining online criticism groups and regularly comment and create conversations on other people’s poetry. Editors, publishers and other industry professionals will recognize good poetry and will be more likely to accept yours if you create a good rapport with them before you submit.
Research Copyright and Publishing Laws
Before you start publishing any work you must make sure that you fully understand the copyright and publishing laws in your country. Every country has different regulations and so it’s important to know when you own the right to the work you create and how you are allowed to publish it. The internet provides a great resource of information, or you can contact a lawyer directly to make sure you are fully aware of all the potential risks associated with your work.
Release a Professional Volume
If you’re serious about publishing your work, then it might be a good idea to invest in publishing a professional book of your poetry. This will give your work more recognition and allow it to be showcased for readers in a more permanent way. Selling your book online can also be a great way to make extra income. Make sure that you find a reliable publisher and promotional team to help you make the most out of your book.
How to Market Your Poetry
Writing and publishing your poetry is an exciting process, but it’s also just the beginning. It’s important to ensure that people are aware of your work, that your work resonates with readers and that you have enough of an online presence to ensure your work is visible. Here’s how to market your poetry and make sure it reaches the right audience.
Utilize Targeted Advertising
Digital advertising can be a great way to get the word out about your work to potential readers. With the help of a few targeted keywords, you can drive potential readers to your website or blog by using ads on social media websites or search engines. This will allow your work to be seen by many more people as well as help to build a website or blog audience.
Reach Out to Influencers
It’s important to find people who have a large following and a presence in the world of poetry. Connecting with them and introducing your work can be a great way to showcase your work and gain publicity. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the big names in the world of poetry to get advice and introductions to other writers.
Participate in Competitions, Festivals and Book Tours
One of the best ways to showcase your work and gain recognition from the literary world is to participate in competitions and festivals. This can put your work in front of new readers, critics and publishers. You can also consider conducting a book tour to help spread awareness of your work. You can book readings in book shops, libraries or solicit venues. If you’re able to, you should also consider taking out an advertisement or doing a radio or TV interview to spread your work even further.
Social media is a great place to promote your work and grow an audience. You can share your work directly, or via other platforms or publications. Make sure that you create your own hashtag that you use when you share, and you can use various platforms to help tout your work. Make sure to accompany each post with an interesting caption and a relevant photo or graphic to help draw more attention to your work.
Network with other Writers
Spending time networking with other poets, editors and publishers is an essential part of marketing your work. Connect with other poets and literary professionals through social media, poetry readings, book talks, and conferences. You can also join meet-up groups or participate in poetry slams in your area. All these outlets provide a great way to interact with your peers and promote your work, as well as stay up to date with what’s happening in the industry.
