Me Getting A Book of Poetry Published

Musicman408 · #1 12-03-2006, 02:43 AM

So, most of you probably know about me ever ending quest for affection, and all the dissapointment I have gone through. And I know you all know about all of the poems that I have written. I am thinking about getting in contact with some publishing companies and talk about publishing some of my work. I know some of you are going to think that I am crazy for thinking anything like this could happen, but this world is full of surprises......

How many poems would you think would be enough for a book of poetry??? I mean, I write so often, and have so much stuff, that that shouldn't be a problem but I was just curious........... Also, if you have any suggestions, or know anyone in the publishing industry that I could contact, that would be amazing..........

If, by chance, I did get a book published, I think that would help me out in my love life a heck of a lot and give me a whole lot of confidence in just that kind of thing in general...... Needless to say I think it would make some people jeleous as heck....

Much Love,
Ethan

paleshadow · #2 12-03-2006, 09:49 AM

I'd recommend getting the latest edition of writers market. They have a very extensive list of publishers broken down by what type of writing they publish. There are contact numbers and submission guidelines. Once you find publishers that accept poetry I would suggest checking out some of the works t to see if your writing is similar to what they have already published. Good luck.

Musicman408 · #3 12-03-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paleshadow

I'd recommend getting the latest edition of writers market. They have a very extensive list of publishers broken down by what type of writing they publish. There are contact numbers and submission guidelines. Once you find publishers that accept poetry I would suggest checking out some of the works t to see if your writing is similar to what they have already published. Good luck.

IS "Writers Market" and actual title? If so I am definately putting it on my Christmas List...... THank you for your support....

Much Love,
Ethan

xdreamsunwindx · #4 12-03-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman408

If, by chance, I did get a book published, I think that would help me out in my love life a heck of a lot and give me a whole lot of confidence in just that kind of thing in general...... Needless to say I think it would make some people jeleous as heck....

So you're aiming to get a book published so you can get into a girl's pants?

DrummerDeanna · #5 12-03-2006, 01:34 PM

Many authors can't "get into a girls' pants"

One's status in love has nothing to do with one's ability to write.

Ethan...it's very difficult to get published and poetry is one of the lowest paying forms out there

The Poet Laureate was on NPR talking about how little he gets for doing what he loves...

That said maybe you could start small - getting one or two poems published in poetry journals...even youth magazines or newspapers...probably not what you want now, but mostly people have to work up to the book level...

Good luck!

xdreamsunwindx · #6 12-03-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Many authors can't "get into a girls' pants"

One's status in love has nothing to do with one's ability to write.

Then why does it appear that the "author" in question is out to publish a book in order to impress a girl, and to bestow jealousy upon someone? That's not cool at all. There are tons and tons of people who have been writing, performing, you name it, for years, and they still have yet to have any of their works published. They're not out to impress someone - they're doing it because they love it.

Whatever. Do what you gotta do. I just think it's incredibly shallow and selfish to go to the trouble of publishing a book of poetry (that may or may not have been nicked from the works of Stevie Nicks) just to impress a girl, or to make a girl's boyfriend jealous.

Musicman408 · #7 12-03-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdreamsunwindx

Then why does it appear that the "author" in question is out to publish a book in order to impress a girl, and to bestow jealousy upon someone? That's not cool at all. There are tons and tons of people who have been writing, performing, you name it, for years, and they still have yet to have any of their works published. They're not out to impress someone - they're doing it because they love it.

Whatever. Do what you gotta do. I just think it's incredibly shallow and selfish to go to the trouble of publishing a book of poetry (that may or may not have been nicked from the works of Stevie Nicks) just to impress a girl, or to make a girl's boyfriend jealous.

Wow.... IT was a total joke. I have always loved writing, and would love to get some stuff published......

Much Love,
Ethan

aleuzzi · #8 12-03-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman408

IS "Writers Market" and actual title?

Yes, it is. I recommend actually getting "Poet's Market," which is published by the same press. It has more concentration on poetry and a much more thorough apparatus with re: to chapbooks and full-length collections.

I'm not tooting a horn here, but I wanted to tell you I've had a book of poems published and am working towards the manuscript for the second. This is not as easy as it sounds. Most of the poems from my first book were first published individually in small press and literary journals. Then, once I'd accumulated a number of pre-published poems, I shopped around for the entire manuscript.

The difference between a chapbook and a full-length book is usually the difference between 50 pages or less for the former and 51 pages or more for the latter. But there's no hard and fast rule.

Whatever the case, when you publish your book, do not, I repeat DO NOT, give any of your money away. That is considered a vanity project and is usually associated with sleezy "editors" who are trying to make money off of your dreams.

If, for some reason, you're having a hard time getting your work published as a book, I recommend first putting together your own chapbook using a high-tech copier at Kinkos. Bind the pages together with staples and send them to all sorts of people. This is just as valid as anything else. And that way people would get to read your great stuff!

Musicman408 · #9 12-03-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Yes, it is. I recommend actually getting "Poet's Market," which is published by the same press. It has more concentration on poetry and a much more thorough apparatus with re: to chapbooks and full-length collections.

I'm not tooting a horn here, but I wanted to tell you I've had a book of poems published and am working towards the manuscript for the second. This is not as easy as it sounds. Most of the poems from my first book were first published individually in small press and literary journals. Then, once I'd accumulated a number of pre-published poems, I shopped around for the entire manuscript.

The difference between a chapbook and a full-length book is usually the difference between 50 pages or less for the former and 51 pages or more for the latter. But there's no hard and fast rule.

Whatever the case, when you publish your book, do not, I repeat DO NOT, give any of your money away. That is considered a vanity project and is usually associated with sleezy "editors" who are trying to make money off of your dreams.

If, for some reason, you're having a hard time getting your work published as a book, I recommend first putting together your own chapbook using a high-tech copier at Kinkos. Bind the pages together with staples and send them to all sorts of people. This is just as valid as anything else. And that way people would get to read your great stuff!

Awesome, thank you. We'll have to talk about this further..... About how many copies did your book sell and how much did you make from it. Feel free to pm me those stats if you'd like. ha ha

Much Love,
Ethan

ragandbone · #10 12-03-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdreamsunwindx

Then why does it appear that the "author" in question is out to publish a book in order to impress a girl, and to bestow jealousy upon someone? That's not cool at all. There are tons and tons of people who have been writing, performing, you name it, for years, and they still have yet to have any of their works published. They're not out to impress someone - they're doing it because they love it.

Whatever. Do what you gotta do. I just think it's incredibly shallow and selfish to go to the trouble of publishing a book of poetry (that may or may not have been nicked from the works of Stevie Nicks) just to impress a girl, or to make a girl's boyfriend jealous.

Many of the writers and musicians I know began their craft with the desire to impress a girl/guy, and of course the whole tradition of the troubadors is based on romantic love, so the idea doesn't seem odd or outrageous (to me) at all. Love and yearning are just the impetus for the kind of regular hard work it takes to get good at and instrument or the craft of writing.

I hope you wouldn't expect to make a living as a poet, or musician but then, you didn't say that was your hope.
I think trying to get one poem published is a reasonable goal. I would bet that your school has a little literary journal, and if they don't than you should start one.

ragandbone · #11 12-03-2006, 10:23 PM

Sorry kid—didn't mean to kill your thread.
Then again, you have a few other threads happening...

carrie721 · #12 12-03-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragandbone

Sorry kid—didn't mean to kill your thread.
Then again, you have a few other threads happening...

i wouldn't worry about it ...

aleuzzi · #13 12-03-2006, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman408

Awesome, thank you. We'll have to talk about this further..... About how many copies did your book sell and how much did you make from it. Feel free to pm me those stats if you'd like. ha ha

Much Love,
Ethan

Ethan,

I have made no real money on my book. Most poets don't, unless they publish with the biggest presses. I received a box load of copies of my book when it was issued and I could sell them at full cost at readings--which I did. At one reading, I made over a $100 in an hour. But the money is not really an issue--as long as no cash comes out of my pocket, I'm okay.

The publisher has reportedly sold about 250 copies, which isn't that bad for a book of poetry, especially since there was next to no publicity surrounding its publication. If it sells more than a 1000 copies, then I'll get a small percentage of royalites. It won't!

Tony