I have poems that my late husband wrote and I'd either like to publish them as a book of poetry or collaborate with someone to develop musical lyrics which may be the highest commercial use for his work. It's part of his legency and he'd want me to make a fortune if it were possible. I have the perseverance to move the project along. Please share your ideas? Thanks in advance.
2007-02-01 03:02:43 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Tom:
There are many publishers out there and believe me, it is hard to find one. I spent two years and many, many manuscripts sent with only three replies to the negative. One took three years to reply? Just type in (Canadian) USA Literary Agency's and try some of these.
I went the self publish route. Very hard row to hoe. It worked for me only because I am retired and had time to do many book signings.
I write this mainly to warn you about the bad guys out there trying to take your money for nothing. Check (Warning &Cautions for Writers) May save you some headaches.
Wayne Russell, The Vagabond Writer
2007-02-01 09:45:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poetry is a very difficult market. You have to determine what your goals are. Do you just want a bound copy of your husband's work? Then you could self-publish it with a company like Lulu.com.
But if you want people to read and appreciate your husband's work, you should consider the traditional publishing route. I would suggest submitting the poems individually to different poetry magazines and ezines first. Then, after you have put a few publication credits under your belt, then seek out a small press that is actively looking for poetry chapbooks.
Whenever someone asks a question like this, people are quick to offer the self-publishing route. Self-publishing is extremely hard, because as a self-publisher you are responsible for all editing, design, proofreading, and marketing. It is not a good route for someone with no experience in the industry or in sales. Believe me, I use POD technology myself to publish all of our titles. It is not the quick way to profit or publication.
I would suggest seeking out small presses and magazines that will give your husband's work the attention it deserves. If you would like someone to review the poetry and give you an objective opinion on it, please feel free to ask. I can be contacted through the site below.
2007-02-01 04:55:23 · answer #2 · answered by bardsandsages 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you submit his material to ANYONE, make sure you have registered his works with the US Library of Congress so they will have legal copyright protection. That way if anyone tries to steal them from you, you will have proof that they belong to you.
If you are interested in trying to turn the poems into lyrics, then you need to find a music publisher. If they think the poems have potential as lyrics, then they can match you up with someone who could compose the score to go along with the lyrics. In that case, all songwriting royalties would be split 50/50 with the composer. Determine what style of music you think would go along with the lyrics (country, pop, standards) and then go to this link http://www.mpa.org/directories/music_publishers/ and find a publisher to send the material to. Don't just send the material. Call and get permission first. Otherwise, your submissions will just end up in the trash with all the other unsolicited materials they receive on a daily basis.
2007-02-01 05:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by mrs_moby73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self-publish.
2007-02-01 03:10:32 · answer #4 · answered by jeff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Publish America- A traditional publishing company that publishes novels, poetry and religious works. They are traditional in the sense that you do not have to pay them to be published, they pay you. They accept new authors every day and pride themselves in publishing first-time writers. http://www.publishamerica.com/
"We publish more new titles than any other traditional book publisher.
We accept more new and unpublished authors than any other traditional book publisher in the nation.
We receive more queries from new authors than any other book publisher in the nation.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, we hold the record for the largest booksigning in history.
We are the first traditional publisher in modern times to reverse the trend of outsourcing book printing, by building our own printing facility. "
2007-02-01 04:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by Lil Gal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self-Publish at LuLu.com
2007-02-01 03:16:49 · answer #6 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋