How should i go about finding a publisher for a poetry book i've written?

Question

I've been writing poetry since i was in junior high and i'm now in my 30's. I have @200 poems and i've always been told i should get them published but I have no clue where 2 start going about that! I've often heard about publishing scams where a so called publisher will ask you 2 send $ along w/ what ever it is you're wanting 2 have published so please don't refer me 2 one that will cost me any $ 2 get started!

Answer 1

First, do not send to anybody who asks for money to evaluate your work, or who expects you to buy a copy as a condition of publication. This is theft. Some legitimate contests ask for an entry fee to cover the cost of running the contest; poets debate whether this is acceptable. I do not send to contests which ask for an entry fee, though that is up to you.

Second, sort your poems carefully. Most poetry books are about 80 pages long (the 300 page books you see at the bookstore are collections by several authors, or else they are retrospectives of a career). If you have 200 poems, and most of them are one or two pages long, you probably have three or four books. Sort and organize your poems so each book has a clearly defined thematic thread; this makes it more likely that editors will favor your book when it comes across the transom.

Third, start by publishing small numbers of poems in literary magazines. Most universities have literary mags, and as printing technology becomes cheaper, many individuals are starting magazines in their spare time. Most of these magazines don't pay anything but copies, or if they pay money it's only a token amount. But the more publications you have under your belt the better your resume looks to potential book publishers. You can find potential magazines in market list books like the Poets Market, published annually by Writers Digest Books. Most libraries have market list books in the reference section.

Fourth, once you have a good resume of magazine publications to show editors you're serious about your writing, you can send manuscripts to book publishers. You can find book publishers in the same market list books where you find magazines.

As an alternate option you can publish your own book. Find a copy of "The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing" by Tom and Marilyn Ross to walk you through the steps. This will be far more expensive for you, but it will get your work out much faster, and it will give you more creative control over the finished product.

Remember, you're unlikely to make any money off poetry. Most poets have to have a day job to cover the cost of their writing. If you're going to stick with poetry over the long haul, I hope you love the process and the product. If you're going to last as a writer, you need to be committed to it like it's the priesthood. But if you can do that, there are few pastimes more rewarding than well-turned writing.

Answer 2

Good luck Honey. I've written a series of children's books and my daughter is the illustrator. I work at a school and the children love them, but we've been two years and haven't found a publisher yet. A lady that has had several published said to find an agent first and go from there. That is now what we are in the process of doing. You can always self publish, but what is hard about that is the distribution.

Answer 3

Try Perceval Press. He publishes a lot of unknown poetry.

Answer 4

just read literatures and get those idea about the publisher.

Answer 5

look no further than http://www.lulu.com and publish it yourself.