my first book?

Question

im writing a book of poetry do you guys think a book of poetry will sell?

Answer 1

Sure it will. Look at all the poetry books they sell at Barnes and Nobles.

Good luck with your book, maybe I will see it on the B&N shelf someday......

Answer 2

It's hard to say if a book of poetry will do well out there on the busy market of publishing, I guess it all depends whether or not your poetry is profound and strikes people and electrifies them on a more or less personalized level. Poetry should be the everyday vitamin for the soul, take it and swallow it and it'll help you in so many ways. Just don't doubt the potential strength of your work, and if it's good enough it'll sell anyway. Good luck!!

Answer 3

There are distinct markets for different forms of writing. The poetry market is actually easier to break into than, say, the sci-fi market. You might want to check out publishing company's that specialize in poetry, because a company that does cooks books won't be interested in looking at a manuscript for a romance novel. Check out Jerry D. Simmons
WritersReaders.com, very helpful:)
Bliss

Answer 4

What do you mean by "will sell"? Poets are not in the business of poetry to make money. The vast majority of poets make their living in some other job, frequently teaching.

There are probably only a dozen or fewer poets in the US who make their living from writing poetry. John Ashberry pops to mind, perhaps Philip Levine, perhaps Jorie Graham (although I know Jorie teaches as well; she was one of my professors). Maya Angelou probably (although most of her income is likely from speaking fees). Basically if you don't see their poems appearing regularly in the "New Yorker," you can probably assume that they have another job. The "New Yorker" is the only market for poetry that pays enough to make some sort of minimal subsistence wage from.

The market for poetry is small, and most books of poetry are published by university presses, not major publishers. University presses frequently pay the author either nothing or a pittance to publish a collection of poetry. Most press runs for books of poetry are from 500 to 2000. Most books of poetry do not sell out their first press run.

Also, it is *extremely* rare for a publisher to publish a collection of poems that have never been published anyplace else. The more typical path is that the poet submits individual poems to and has them accepted for publication in literary journals and other periodicals. Once a poet has accumulated a track record of published poems, he or she has a much better chance of being noticed by a publisher.

You can get an overview of all the periodical and book publishers who publish poetry by getting your hands on "Poet's Market 2007," a directory published annually by Writer's Digest Books. It will also provide you with a lot of information about the poetry publishing market in general.

Answer 5

probably not very well... unfortunately, poetry is undervalued in today's society...don't let that stop you though

Answer 6

No

Answer 7

mabye!

Answer 8

yes, why not?