Whats the best way to get my poems published.?

Question

Its very easy to find book publishers but I'm struggling to find anyone that publish poems?

Answer 1

Getting a reputable publisher to accept one's poems is very, very difficult. Let me suggest three processes, depending upon why/how you want your poems published.

(1) If you simply want copies for family and friends, modern word processing programs and local printers or even copy services can provide you excellent formatting, the number of copies you need, and fairly wide choice of bindings.

Also, consider giving gifts of poetry printed out from your computer and framed or inserted in greeting cards or hand-bound in a format that is pleasing to you and will be meaningful to the recipient.

(2) If you want hardback or soft cover books for sale, esp. in bookstores, you can self-publish with a local printer or with what are called vanity presses, which require you to subsidize your own publication; for example, by purchasing a certain number of copies. Authorhouse, Poetry.com, PublishAmerica, Melrose Press, SterlingHouse, Vantage, Watermark, and xlibris are examples. But don't be taken in by all they promise to do to market your book. Bookstores and book reviewers very, very rarely acknowledge the works of vanity presses. Just understand that you are paying for well-printed editions of your works, which you will be free to sell yourself as you please.

(3) If you want recognition as a published poet (in the trade, if you will), begin by submitting your poetry to reputable literary journals and poetry reviews. Your best source for information about these is the annual publication called Poet's Market. (One hint here: used book stores often carry editions from two or three years ago at a highly reduced price, and the information from really reputable journals will likely have not changed.)

Most journals or reviews will want you to submit a limited number of poems, maybe 5-7, in a specific format. Poet's Market gives you the information you require. Do NOT submit the same poems to more than one journal at the same time, but keep sending them out. Sometimes it will be the fifth or sixth place you submit a poem that finally accepts it. The best way to choose, of course, is to examine the journal personally to see if your poetry is like what they tend to publish. But this is difficult, for most libraries will have only the best known journals, hence the ones that it's hardest to break into. Look for local journals in your area, for journals looking for poems of the type and on subjects that match yours, and journals that indicate they have higher acceptance rates (though, admittedly, their reports are not always perfectly candid).

Only after you have had several acceptances from these is it likely that a publisher will consider a book of your poems. Many publishers, including university presses as well as literary journals, have contests, often limited to unpublished poets. These usually involve the payment of a modest entrance fee. Poet's Market will have some information about these.

Good luck to you in your writing -- and in your publishing. Remember it's the satisfaction that you get in the actual writing, and the satisfaction you bring to friends and families in presenting them gifts of your poems that will always be important whether you achieve a wider readership or not.

Answer 2

author house will publish almost anything but You pay to have the book made. Try authorhouse.com I think that is their web site, or google them

Answer 3

Tell me about it me too are looking for the same thing i do poems too but only thing is i'm not from the Us & my poems are in english so it's even harder anyway if i found somthing i'll keep you informed

Answer 4

Submit to magazines both via snail mail and internet. and periodicals for writers.