Once you have a finishe literary product (ie poetry) how do you get it published?

Answer 1

Get your hands on a copy of the book Writer's Market. It's an extensive listing of magazines, websites, and publishers who are looking for authors. You can search it to find the ones who are most suited to your work. They also have a website (www.writersmarket.com), but there is a subscription fee to use their searchable database. If money is tight, check with your local library and see if they have a copy you could check out, or use there.

Research is critical, because different places will have different criteria for submissions. Nowadays, most publications have websites that include guidelines for authors.

I also recommend another book by the folks at Writer's Market, called Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript. It's been a wonderful guidebook for me, and has sections on any kind of writing you can imagine.

It takes a lot of time and patience, but is well worth the effort!

If you aren't looking for traditional venues, but are interesting in a self-publishing company (also known as a vanity press), I'd recommend www.lulu.com. I have had great service from them in the past and have heard nothing but positive feedback from other writers who have used their service. This is a great way to go if you are just looking to get a few copies for family and friends.

Oh yes, and even when you think you're finished, go back and edit it one more time! =)

Happy writing!

Answer 2

you can also google "publishing poetry." There are a number of online journals, or journals which previously received work via mail, but now only receive via email. Stay away from poetry.com, or any of those other generic sites that say they'll publish your poem in their anthology, but then you have to pay $80. for a copy. If you are a college student, look into literary journals, if you're an grad student, same thing. Look for contests at your local library, and yes, check the Poet's Market for an extensive list of magazines that publish or accept poetry by certain themes. It will also list publishers looking for chapbook submissions, national competitions and more. It's a worthwhile investment if you're going to publish for profit. Most importantly, learn not to take rejection personally! Every writer gets rejected, even the great ones. Just dust yourself off and submit to the next name on your list.