Should a poet provide copies of the poems he reads at a poetry reading to the audience?

Question

Is this expected? Is this proper? It would seem to be a helpful act, and the attendees would have something to take away. But listening to a poet read is different from reading while listening. What if more attend and he runs out of copies? And would the poet have copyright concerns? What's the norm?

Answer 1

It seems to me that poets usually don't provide copies of the poems. In fact, many poetry readings are done specifically as a way to market the poet's book: you go to the reading and you want to meet the poet and get him/her to sign a book for you, but you have to buy the book so he/she will have something to sign. So I would say it's not expected.

Yes, you have a good point about the difference between listening to a poem and reading a poem while listening. I suppose that depends on what your definition of poetry is: is it the sound only, or is it also the way it's represented on the page.

The poet always holds the copyright to anything he/she has written, no matter what. So if he/she chooses to make copies and hands them out, that's fine, because he/she has the copyright and can control whether copies are made. If people choose to cite those poems, of course, they should give appropriate attribution to the author.

Answer 2

I don't know what the norm is, but there are good and bad sides of providing copies. The good side is that it helps the audience follow up and they'll have it in writing in case they like it so much they want to keep it. But like you said, the bad side is that it's a difference experience, it may be less special than listening to it.

I have an idea. How about reading it for them and afterwards mentioning that those who would like a printed copy of it can get one? You could leave copies at a table for them to take on their way out or if it's many poems you could make books that the audience could buy. That way they both experience it in a nice way and get to keep it afterwards.

Answer 3

Provide copies only if you want, preferably when you are the only one reading, and most preferably if you are selling a book of poetry. The better idea is to only print a copy of one, if the books are not at the reading or if you have no book yet, but want people to see how your poetry looks on paper.

Answer 4

generally, spoken word poetry does not incude a writen copy. people are there to listen, and do not expect or want extra paper. it almost ruins the vibe of the reading and makes it feel like school instead of something you did that you are sharing.
copyright concerns are also very valid, especially nowadays with the internet when you can never tell what belongs to whom.
good luck, i'm sure you'll do well!

Answer 5

I used to do poetry readings at the open mike in the Wine Cellar at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco when I was young. I had copies of my poems made up into books and sold them at the readings. Tourists loved them. Handing them out for free is not expected.

Answer 6

Hell, why not? But only give them out to people who ask for it. And if you run out, that's all the better, because that gives people the idea that your poems are wanted :)
And of course you should have a reference to printed work, if you have printed work that is. If people appreciate your work, they will be willing to buy your work as well.
At the notion that told poetry is different than written poetry: that's true of course, but real appreciators of poetry know this, and cherish the memory of poetry said aloud when reading the written stuff.

Answer 7

The poem, titled "compliment music for the Day: A Poem for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration," consists of 14, unrhymed 3-line stanzas, and a one-line coda: "compliment music for strolling forward in that easy." it is going to likely be launched as a e book, 32 pages, on Feb. 6 by writer Graywolf Press with an introduced one hundred,000 first printing, a veritable fairy tale for many poets, yet no longer for an inaugural artwork. large poem. i might inspire others to study a number of her artwork.

Answer 8

I don't know what "standard practice" might be in such matters (if there even is such a thing), but if it were me, I'd offer copies for sale. Poets need to eat and pay the rent.

Answer 9

If you provide copies they will read it while u r reading it or even before, and then you have lost your audience's attention.

Answer 10

Just recite your poem if they want a copy they may ask you