DIY: Publish Poetry Books

Publishing your poetry is possible.

A career as a poet is emotionally rewarding but many authors also want remuneration for their work, dedication and skill with words. It is possible for you to find markets for your poetry through researching the options available to you through hard copy sales and through electronic book publishing sites. Poetry is not a financially lucrative career for most but it can still garner income for you and help your career as a professional writer.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Paper
• Bookbinding materials
• Graphic manipulation software

Instructions

Preparing Your Manuscript

1. Proofread your manuscript for grammatical and spelling errors. Errors in your poetry may hinder potential readers from buying your books. Good grammar and spelling show your professionalism as an author. 

2. Find, create, or have a graphic made for the cover of your poetry book. There are several low-cost or free graphic editing programs like The GIMP. Choose or make a graphic that reflects the content of  your poems. For example, if you write nature poetry, use images evoking nature like trees, flowers or other nature elements like water. Also choose colors for  the book cover that are consistent with your poetry

   subjects. Choose the paper that you will use for your poetry book if you publish in hard copy. Recycled paper might, for example, underscore your message if you are a writer of nature poems.

3. Choose whether or not you want to format your poetry in hard copy paper form or electronic book format. Research the cost of having your book printed by a local print house or office services company if you choose to have the books printed. Publishing your books from your computer printer in chapbook form may or may not give you the professional results that a retailer would accept unless you have skills in bookbinding, graphics and formatting a book.

4. Create your books in electronic book format. There are various formats such as PDF, DjVu, and E-pub and programs to create electronic books. However, if you want to sell your poetry in electronic form, you will need a secure website to distribute the books. Create your own website that includes e-commerce forms so

   people can order your books or create and distribute your poetry through a commercial print-on-demand site.

Publishing Your Manuscript

1. Copyright your manuscript with the U.S. Copyright Center. Get an ISBN number so that you can sell your manuscript. An ISBN is the International Standard Book Number that you use to identify your book in an international market. The purpose of an ISBN is to identify one book from a specific publisher. This allows you as an author to market your product more efficiently through booksellers, libraries, wholesalers and other distributors. Request the ISBN in bar code form so retailers can easily scan your book when someone purchases your book. 

2. Research the markets for the various genres of poetry. Do you write haiku, sonnets, limericks that are usually humorous and rhyming poems or cinquains that consist of a single 22-syllable stanza?  Decide if your poetry type will sell and where you can find this niche. Find your market by research through your local library or by going online to find markets, like independent bookstores, that are often more willing to distribute poetry books. 

3. Join organizations that promote poetry in independent publishing. Small press associations can help you find markets for your poetry. Attend book fairs, use social networking and select targeted venues to market your poetry. For example, if you write historical poems, sell your books at events that feature historical recreations. Arrange group poetry readings with other artists at cafés or attend open mike events to promote your book. 

Tips & Warnings

• Do not count on poetry books to be your main source of income. Have a steady job that keeps you financially solvent.

References

• Poetry Today Online: Self-Publish Your Poetry
• Louie Crew: To A Student Who Asked me To Advise How To Get Her Poetry Book Published
• Aha Poetry: So You Want To Have Your Poems Published?
• Poetry Magic: Publishing Your Poetry
• Poets.org: Writing And Publishing FAQ

Resources

• Writing World: The POD Quandary: How To Decide If Print-on-Demand Publishing Is Right For You
• Poe War: Four Ways To Publish Your Poetry
• Writers' Relief: How To Publish A Poetry Book, Chapbook, Or Collection Of Poems
• On The Go: The Benefits And Pitfalls Of Print-On-Demand
• Street Directory: Publishing Your Own Book of Poetry