How many poems should go into a book?

Answer 1

Depends on length. Minimum 50 short poems, unless you include artwork in which case you could have as few as 25. Of course most mainstream published poets don't include artwork, except that the publisher may have art for the cover.

If they are longer poems of 2-5 pages then you might be able to get away with 10 to 25 poems MINIMUM.

Of course, people who read longer poems expect greater length. There are now collections of Emily Dickinson's poems and poem snippets that include 1400 seperate pieces, up to 3 on a page. Walt Whitman's unabridged Leaves of Grass is pretty hefty, and is based on longer pieces. But those are at the extreme.

If you're writing a chapbook or self-printed book that is difficult to staple together, you might be able to get away with 40, but don't expect as many takers. Poetry enthusiasts can go through it like its nothing (quality is always the issue).

I self-printed (photocopied and stapled) a chapbook of my own poetry, title Inverse Threads, 54 pages long including index and some blank pages. I used digital copies of my own drawings to fill in half the space (every other page except when the poems run to double-page length). It helped to keep the book miniature, in double columns.

Now I'm thinking of publishing a full length book, but I'm just barely within the range (almost 50 poems that I feel succeed overall).

The size of your book also depends on your target market, it might be shorter for children or if it is meant as a kind of sampler (printed in bulk for a public event or to address a particular issue).

I wish you luck on your poetic quest.

Answer 2

Minimum of 50

Answer 3

I would say at least 10 for a short one and otherwise as many as you want... Poetry doesn't follow "the rules" all the time... Also, ignore "whocares"- the name proves how much the opinion is worth...

Answer 4

Depends on how long you want the book to burn. Poetry blows.

Answer 5

as much as you want i guess why do u have a limit