Introduction:
Growing in popularity, poetry has captured the attention of readers, writers and publishers alike. Taking the plunge into publishing your own poetry can be intimidating and off-putting. However, with the right guidance, you can gain a better understanding of the various opportunities out there, which option might suit you best, and ultimately, where to get your poetry published for the first time. Here, we provide an overview of the various pathways available, offering you the chance to have your words come to life in print.
Traditional Journals and Magazines:
Seeking publication in a journal or magazine is a great starting point for first-time poets. Usually, submissions take the form of a query letter and sample poems. Alternatively, submission guidelines may call for a sample of a complete piece. Depending on the journal or magazine, payment for a publication is either funded by subscriptions or funded by contributors who purchase individual copies for a reduced price.
Whether you aim for regional, national or international circulation, searching for options suitable for you can be daunting. Spending time researching different journals and magazines, to get a good understanding of who they are, what they publish and what their submission guidelines are, is recommended.
In addition, there are a variety of online newsletters, including Poetry Magazine and Poets & Writers, which list calls for submissions, along with information about upcoming literary events or gatherings. Furthermore, the literary forum Duotrope is an effective tool to keep on top of poetry magazine circulation.
Anthologies & Poetry Contests:
Submitting on your own or through a third party, such as an editor or agent, provides a platform to make your poems accessible to a contest or anthology. Most publishers prefer electronic submissions, while some might still accept physical submissions. Setting up an author page on a platform like Submittable or Poets & Writers helps streamline the process and track outcomes. In most cases, payment comes in the form of a complimentary copy.
The Society of Classical Poets provides an extensive catalogue of poetry anthologies and poetry contests. It also advocates for restoration of the traditional form of poetry, granting winners a reward of various sizes. On the other hand, organisations like Badilisha Poetry X-Change provide a voice for African poets by creating catalogues of audio-poetry that can be accessed globally.
Self-Publishing:
For budding poets looking to release their work independently, self-publishing provides an excellent platform. The main advantage of self-publishing is its flexibility. You set your own timeline and you control the content of your published work. However, with this increased control comes increased responsibility.
There are a number of platforms available, ranging from print-on-demand websites, such as Amazon and Blurb, to e-book services, like Kindle and iBooks. However, if you’re aiming to retain as much of the publishing rights to your poems as possible, Pongo Poetry is an excellent and increasingly popular platform for this.
Self-publishing is a fairly simple process and the cost mitigating benefits have led to the rise and popularity of online self-publishing. Before deciding to go down this route, be sure to have a thought-out publishing plan—including formatting and marketing ideas—in place.
Print Books and Poetry Collections
Submitting your entire collection of works, as opposed to individual poems, can lead to achieving a bigger and higher goal—publishing your very own poetry book. However, this road to traditional publishing can be long and arduous.
The process begins with writing a cover letter, attaching your manuscript and eventually submitting the material to the publisher. Another option is to formally approach a literary agent, who will direct your manuscript to the right publishing house if they’re interested in representing you. Each publishing house has its own submission guidelines, so ensure you read them before submitting.
If your manuscript resonates with a publisher, they may offer you a contract. Once you sign it, you’ll have successfully gotten your work out of your head and into print. In the case of a physical copy, follow-up steps may include printing, warehousing, shipping and distribution.
As for finding a publisher, numerous resources are available online. Firstly, look for lists on the Poets & Writers website, filtering by genres. Secondly, run a search for reviews of books similar to yours. Look for traditionally published competing books, then research their publishers.
Other useful places to look for traditional publisher contact information include the Writers Market, PoetryMarket.com and the listings in The Writer’s Handbook.
Online Journals and Magazines
One of the easiest ways to get your poetry published is through the prolific and ever-growing number of online journals and magazines. This route enables you to showcase your material to a wider audience. Many of them are open to submissions in the form of a query letter, along with sample poems, and even offer payment for publications.
Submittable, an increasingly popular online platform, provides an easy-to-navigate marketplace, connecting poets with publishers who are looking for submissions. Alternatively, Duotrope, as mentioned earlier, is an effective tool used by writers to find publishers. Beyond these alternatives, websites like NewPages provide a directory of thousands of magazines worldwide, making it easier for writers to be discovered.
The advantages of having your poems published in an online magazine or journal include the added potential for publicity and the often-elevated calibre of the publication. It is important to consider that such platforms tend to carry more of a competitive edge, as they often set higher standards for the work that is accepted.
Social Media & Personal Blogs
Utilising social media and other online publications for self-publishing offers an exciting development in the ongoing process of cultivating your poetry career. In using your own blog, you are in complete control, from design to content, allowing you to cultivate a unique, authentic presence.
Using accounts like Twitter and WordPress, for example, can be a great way to promote yourself and get your work seen. Interacting, networking, building relationships and promoting your work are all key elements of self-promotion. Though this may seem daunting, it is an essential step to take if you want your poetry to be seen and published. Ultimately, having a presence on these platforms increases your visibility and has the potential to acquire a dedicated audience.
Additionally, distributing your work through sites like Patreon, Tapas and Wattpad can enable you to further build upon your portfolio. An additional advantage of these sites is their built-in readership. You can track your visitor analytics and see who your readers are, engaging with them directly or through the comment section, sending them direct messages and even direct invitations for readings or events.
Small Presses
Navigating the realm of small presses is a complex journey. With hundreds of hundreds of available options, ranging from specialised to generalist, the challenge is to identify the publisher that best aligns with your work. Following a similar process to traditional publishers, the submission process requires both a query letter and accompanying manuscript. Many small presses accept submissions electronically, and findings can be tracked via Submittable. Also, the small press market is a great place to explore if you’re looking to get your first book of poetry published.
Research and networking is key, as small press publishers tend to have specific guidelines and tastes. Literary magazines and journals tend to list established small presses, while readings, book fairs and conferences are fantastic opportunities to exchange knowledge, investigate and experience first-hand what’s new and exciting in the small press scene. In addition, websites such as Small Press Distribution and New Pages offer a comprehensive list and directory of small presses.
Print-on-Demand Publishers
Aspiring writers who are looking for an introduction into the publishing world may wish to explore print-on-demand services. This approach to publishing is becoming more and more attractive to many writers, especially those whose primary interests lie in expressing their poetic works without the limitations of time and space.
Services such as Amazon Kindle and iBooks allow writers to upload their manuscripts and set their own pricing, distribution channels and royalties, enabling them to control their own production costs and profits. Furthermore, Amazon’s CreateSpace provides authors with a unique opportunity to have their work distributed not only digitally, but also in physical form.
It is important to be aware of the legal aspects of self-publishing and to gain an understanding of the relevant copyright and trademark laws, before embarking on the journey to get your poetry published.
