How can I progress as a poet?

Question

For many years I have been writing poetry, stories, philosophies, reflections, lyrics...the list goes on.

I'm not the type to stand up and read my work out. I'm shy, but also think I'm more comfortable reading my work in quiet solitude rather than having it recited to them.

I have boxes full of my poetic musings (typed, scrawled on napkins, written on watermarked paper with my best calligraphy pen- can I do anything with them that might advance me as an artist and a person? I'm not saying my work is neccessarily any good in the eyes of the majority, it might be quite the opposite- but I'd like to give it a go!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Research publishers to find one that publishes poetry and then find out how to send your manuscript to them. You will need to send by post & some will only consider you if they are the only publisher you have sent your work to. Expect to wait several months before they reply to you. It is probably going to take a while but stick with it. Good luck.

Answer 2

Start by reading Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet. I could give you all kinds of publishing advice--but that won't help you progress as a poet. Then, assuming that you DO read Rilke's book, I'll humbly add, keep reading. Recognize your own voice in the midst of all of the other voices. I can't give you false confidence, but to paraphrase Rilke, if you wake up every day and there is Nothing in the world you would rather be doing, then keep writing.
As to the whole "reading" a loud element to your question, don't be too concerned about that. There is a critical force that believes strongly that poetry is not automatically performance art. It must first work on the page.
If you are itching to share, want feedback on your work, and are thinking of joining a workshop--then a word of caution. People rarely give honest, critical, and constructive feedback. And on those rare occasions when they do, writers are often too attached to their work to accept it.

Answer 3

Hi,

Why not join a local drama group, they will help build your confidence, I am very happy to stand up in front of two hundred people and talk now. Which is odd as I felt unable to put my hand up and answer questions in school. How about an open mic night, they are not just for singing or comedy, check your local pubs... Its a start but you need to be confident in your work to get anywhere. Another great way to get art out there is to join a mail art group your work will be published and will go into a library or museum. Just google mail art.

Hope that helped from one poet to another.

Jo

I used to make sense now I just make poetry...

Answer 4

I would suggest that you ask someone who IS confident to read your poems out loud to do it for you. You can usually arrange with your local library to have a poetry afternoon. You can attend so people can meet you if they want to. It's a good way to gauge public response and get feedback.

Select a number of pieces you like and ask your reader to rehearse with you so you can get the reading up to scratch. It would be a good idea also to lay on refreshments and send out flyers and generally advertise in your local community.

Perhaps there is someone else who writes poetry too who would be willing to recite some of theirs too.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

how about start posting some of your works on the internet and see some opinions?

for poetry, http://www.poemhunter.com
for prose, http://www.fictionpress.com

submit them for free and get some opinions... or post some of them on yahoo answers for us to see, personally I am really curious and would like to give you feedback.