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Share your thoughts about poetry

Share your thoughts about poetry

Poetry is probably the smallest market in the publishing world. I don't have all the answers to breaking into this market. I'm not sure I have any of those answers, but by working together we can share information about publication opportunities, ways to get published, ideas for manuscripts, and inspiration for writing.


Words

Hello all and Good Wishes,

My names is Rayne 2. Marzett and I've been doing poetry since I was a kid, but it hasn't been until the last couple years that I've been trying to get a chapebook published...I've had some success in other areas of publishing such as a novel titles A Reason, A Season, or A Lifetime which just was released through Phaze publishing, but I haven't been able to get that far with the poetry.

I've been told to enter different contest was the best avenue to getting your poetry respected and published, so that's as far as I've gone on this raod to poetry publishing...

I am King

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I am King

Publishing a book of poems

I've just completed publishing a book of poems on www.lulu. com titled: POEMS YOU'LL LOVE: A COLLECTION OF LYRIC POEMS AND HAIKU.
It's difficult to market books. The way I've been marketing this book is:
I bought several copies of the book.
I show people I meet the book, and some have bought the book. They do not want to go on lulu.com and order it and pay for the shipping, although that's included in my price.
Just make it easy for them to buy it.
If you have any other suggestions on marketing other than being listed on Amazon, Google, etc, which is almost worthless since there are thousands of poetry books listed on those sites.

Sylvia Semel

Selling Poetry Books

Most poets I know are generally known regionally. Yes, poetry is one of the hardest markets to get sales. A "best seller" is about 500 books.

The way you get known is get out there and promote. Schedule a reading almost anywhere you can. Local bookstores, particularly independents, are a good place to start. Also, don't ignore parties. Have a friend put one on for you and read at it. Take several copies of the book with you and have them ready for sales. People have a tendency to purchase those books at the place where they see and hear the author.

I have been active in several poetry markets and it is through readings, workshops, anywhere you can get people to listen to you is where you get those sales. I also find it amazing that poets who are well known in one area are virtually unknown in others. That's why visible exposure in your area is important.

Marketing Poetry

Mary Kim Schreck, author of three poetry books through Tigress Press, has sold thousands of her books through her educational workshops. The books aren't required reading for her classes; however, she shares her poems with attendees and that's the best marketing there is -- her own voice. Tigress Press doesn't publish just any poets, but Mary Kim has proven her selling ability, and she outsells all but one other Tigress Press author. Will we publish more of her books? You bet, because they are well written, have universal appeal, and because their author understands how to market. If you approach a publisher with a book of poetry, make sure they meet the criteria above -- well written, universal appeal, and author's understanding of how to market. Mary Kim's three titles are Pulse of the Seasons, The Red Desk, and Crystal Doorknobs. All are distributed through regular channels like Amazon.com.

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Janet Musick
Publisher, Tigress Press, LLC
Senior Editor, B4Deadline

"I thought I was a poet, until I met one"

It is my belief, that there hundreds of thousands of poets out there, with a great deal of talent. Since my two published poetry books was never written to make a dime of profit for myself, but to help others, I never planned on the books to be successful commercially.

The two books todate represent a twenty year journey in my own personal life. What profits my work will produce are earmarked to assist the "homeless" of Collin and Henderson counties in Texas. Over the last few months, I have felt the greatest way to share my spiritual story was with "spoken word presentations" of my work. I have produced a one page website thru the Yahoo small business program for my work in this area. It is targeted as a "no-cost opportunity for non-profits to earn income." Sample can be seen at http://www.johnrigotexaspoet.com.

I have had to date a few presentations in this area, mainly in front of church groups. I only ask that any collections or fees charged for the presentation, percentage wise go to the cause of "homeless individuals" in the county that I make the presentation in. One of my greatest kicks, has been in giving the books away to those, I feel in my heart, would appreciate, my own spiritual trip in my life. The number of personal letters, cards and phone calls I have received in giving this gift, goes far beyond any dollars, I would have earned off of this hobby of mine.

Respectfully Shared
and Rendered,

John J. Rigo
www.internationalpoet.com
McKinney and Gun Barrel, Texas

"Service to others, is reward in itself"

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"Service to others, is reward in itself"