Question:
where is the best place to try and get my poetry published?
anonymous
2010-10-26 02:59:11 UTC
Hi, I think it's really sad that poets struggle to get recognised these days when there is a book a minute being published in the mainstream. Ive basically been told by a couple of writers now that the best way to get my poetry published is through magazines etc .... or else kill myself then Im garaunteed to get published lol! Ive got a lot of stuff though and in an ideal world, I would want my own anthology published full of my work....rather than have one or two of my poems in someone elses book which has usually been the case.
Anyone got any experience or advice? And if I do send my stuff into magazines, which are the best and gonna bring me the most attention from possible agents....publishers? Im in the UK
Thanks...Lisa x
Six answers:
H S
2010-10-26 03:37:35 UTC
The usual place to start is with magazines. There are many small, regional magazines, and quite a number of national magazines. Some are just for poetry, others do short stories too. The magazines often contain reviews of recently published poetry books too, and it's worth reading them.



To find magazines that might suit your work, the best way by far is to go to a Poetry Library. There is one in London on the Southbank, and another in Edinburgh, near the Grassmarket. They should have recent issues from a range of magazines. Find a few magazines that print poetry you like, or which you think might be like yours. You can get the details of how to submit, addresses and so on, from the samply copy, but you should also consider subscribing to one or two. Subscriptions keep the magazines alive.



Almost all will say something like, submit a maximum of six poems at a time. I would say make it less than that. Double check for spelling mistakes - have someone else read them before you send them purely to check for that kind of thing - someone you know has very high standards of grammar and spelling. Print them as simply as possible on plain white paper, lines not too close, print a comfortable size. There should be nothing on the page but your name (with maybe an email address) and the title and the poem. Have your name and details in the header or footer space in a font slightly smaller than you use for the poem itself. Use a very ordinary font, like Arial or Times New Roman. Your poem has to persuade the editor on the strength of the words alone. Everything else is distraction and will work to your disadvantage.



Submit them with astamped addressed envelope for return, and a very simple covering letter. You don't need to say much more than 'here are four poems for you to consider for publication'. Even that is redundant, your covering letter is there just to give your name and contact details in case they are interested in publishing your work. If you write a paragraph or so about yourself or your work, it is only likely to actually be read if they've already decided to publish, and want to know a bit about you. It will not ever influence the decision about whether or not to publish. Editors get piles of submissions daily. They rip the envelope open, turn straight to the actual poems, and then usually push the whole lot back into the return envelope.



Expect rejections. You will inevitably get them. Everyone does. After a while you might start noticing comments coming back with the rejections - that's a good sign, because normally editors haven't got time to spend long over every submission. Eventually, if you listen, and keep reading poetry, and thinking critically about what you're doing, and thinking particularly hard about comments, you will start to get the occasional success.



For online magazines, it's the same basic deal, just without the envelopes. Keep things as simple and uncluttered as possible.



The other thing you can do to help your chances of book publication is to enter competitions. The Poetry Society runs an annual competition which is one of the biggest, and actually has reasonable prize money, but the advantage is not winning the money, it's the fact that editors will look at the winning (and shortlisted) poems. They have a page with information about several competitions, as well as their own annual competition. Competitions often cost money to enter. I think the Poetry Society one costs £5 for the first poem and then £3 for each poem after that.



It's a simple fact that until you have built up some sort of a track record by publishing in magazines, winning or getting placed in major competitions, no publisher will publish a book of your poetry. If you can get one or two poems into a book with work from other writers, jump at it, because it will all help build a case for your own first collection.



Another thing worth considering is readings. This doesn't have to be slam events - all sorts of places will either put on poetry readings or include some poetry in an evening of other stuff. I know a folk music club, for instance, that usually has an open mic spot at some point in the evening (and occasionally books an established poet as the main event). There's something about the thought of reading a poem out loud in front of other people that focuses your mind, quite apart from any feedback you get from the audience when you actually read.



Good luck.
synopsis
2010-10-26 03:14:37 UTC
There is no point in publishing a book if nobody is going to buy it. And if nobody has ever heard of you, nobody will buy your book.



Getting started in poetry is much the same as getting started in rock music. First you build a local following, then a regional one (State-wide), then a national one, then - perhaps - an international reputation (always assuming that you are good enough).



You need to begin by finding out what writers groups are in your area, and joining one. This will give you a chance to share your writing (and criticism) with other writers as unknown as you are; before too long it will also put you in touch with people who organise and perform at poetry slams, come-all-ye's, and other small-scale readings / performances in your area. Once you have some experience with audiences (either for performance, or at workshops) you will know which directions you need to work on, and you will have some idea of your realistic chances in an intensely competitive market.



Before you can make a name, you need to pay your dues - there is no easy way around this.



Get the names of local writers groups by looking at announcements in public libraries, arts centres, community colleges:- anywhere people who love words are likely to cluster.



I wish you the best of luck - it isn't easy. (But it is character-forming).



....



If you are in the UK, Leaf Books has a reasonable beginners guide to competitions and writers groups on their website.
Lina ruby Govinden
2010-10-26 03:06:03 UTC
Yes, magazines are a great idea for the beginnings of a strong audience but I do not know if you belong to any poetry clubs who maybe able to help you out better by perhaps recommendation of their agents too...

I belong to a Creative Writing group in London part-time and was recommended Internet research too but it is better to get expert opinions from more experienced writers!

Good Luck Lisa and I hope your work will come to real fruition!
MJD
2010-10-28 17:49:41 UTC
See the list of print journal that accept online submissions at the very bottom of the page here: http://dianelockward.blogspot.com/
?
2010-10-26 03:04:34 UTC
Can first try to stop publication of literature from the Internet to your article! I wish you success sent the book!
utomo l
2010-10-26 03:03:29 UTC
try http://poetrypoem.com/


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