I've now finished my book...wish me luck?

Question

I've been working on a poetry compilation for two, maybe three years. I just finished revising the manuscript. Originally, the book had about 130 poems, but i've narrowed it down to my top 40 best poems. i doubt i'll have much luck finding a way to get it published, but wish me luck....tipps are welcome too if you happen to be a published writer.

Answer 1

Well done. That's a big achievement even if a publisher doesn't sign you. It is very difficult to publish anthologies of poems, especially for a first-timer. Unless your work in exceptionally good, in the top 99.99%, publishers will not see a market for it.

My tip is to submit individual poems to magazines who publish your genre of poetry. If they accept a few it will be the basis for establishing a name for yourself. Then you can find publishers and tell them about your prior publishing history. They are much more likely to read a previously published poet than one a newbie.

Don't be tempted to self-publish. That route is meaningless and expensive.

Good luck.

PS. DO NOT make a million copies and mail to every publisher in the world, as someone above said. Be very careful whom you submit to. See Predators and Editors or Absolute Writers before sending to anyone.

Answer 2

Congratulations and the best of luck finding a publisher for your work. Get a copy of Poet's Market, published by the same folks who put out Writer's Market, and check the listings for publishers that will be a good fit for your work. Again, best wishes.

Answer 3

Congrats and best luck for the published version of your book, which, I am sure, would give you ample encouragement to walk on the path with more zeal and vigor. But remember, don't try to knock on every available door in the world of publishing as there are more suckers than helpers. Just make sure you are approaching the respected houses only in this connection.

By the way, some of your sentences gave me remembering "Sylvia Plath" who too was facing same dilemaa before publishing her first poetry-book.

Anyway cheers !!

Answer 4

First, change your attitude and believe you will find a way to be published. Second, figure out what to do, (if you haven't got the "Writer's Market book, get it) then do it. By the way, terrific, wonderful luck to you.

Answer 5

Make a lot of copies and mail them to every publisher you can find. And never give up.

Answer 6

best of luck. just remember to keep going despite rejection, to look for any common threads (if they all reject you for similar reasons, you know what you might need to work on)...I've been advised to keep all the rejection letters then, once (if) I finally get that yes, to set the rejection letters on fire and flip them off....sounds therapeutic. good luck!

Answer 7

Good Luck.
I'm doin' the same.

Answer 8

I wish you luck

Answer 9

Good luck hun!!