Self-Publishing for MFA's?

[Larimar]

Oh my gosh Billy Collins is hilarious! Back in October 2012 I had the wonderful experience of attending a reading by him and Mary Oliver, and then they signed books afterward. In just the brief moment when he signed the book I planned to give my mother, Billy Collins had me laughing. As for Mary Oliver, it was amazing to hear her. Her work is so wonderful, and she had true stage presence. I treasure that I got to say to her something to the effect of "thank you for your wonderful poetry" as she was signing my favorite of her albums, Why I Wake Early. I was rather starstruck.


I'm not under any illusions that I can get rich from my poetry; it would just simply be nice to benefit a bit from the work that means so much to me. Thank you for the encouragement everyone.


Larimar

[mamselle]

You might contact Grolier Poetry Bookstore in Cambridge (USA).

(I'll post their link when next on my laptop.)

The have a sense of what sells, and offer readings and workshops.

M.

The shop is closed but is still replying to emails.

   http://grolierpoetrybookshop.org/

M.

[Larimar]

Just had a look at the web site. Thanks.

[bibliothecula]

I'm a poet. It can take hundreds of submissions a year to get anything published, and being accepted for a chapbook or other book by a press is very difficult. I suggest a few things:
1. Use Submittable, Submissions Grinder, and publisher info at Poets&Writers to identify potential opportunities. Do not pay to submit unless you really want to support the press or organization calling for submissions.
2. Follow the submission rules to the letter. And make sure that what you're sending is in line with other things the press has done.
3. Of the works you have had published, select only those and a few others with a similar theme or approach to collect into a manuscript.
4. Submit the manuscript carefully--read other chapbooks or books from the publishers you submit before you submit. You need to tell the publisher why you think your work is a good fit for t hem.
5. Keep going. Look for opportunities for female-identified writers, for writers from your geographical region, etc. Look for opportunities to write on special topics for special issues that are meaningful to you--these can be included in your manuscript.
6. Don't expect feedback from submissions. Join an online group or take an online course that will get you feedback. Even if you're experienced, workshopping with others is crucial for writers and for developing your writing.
7. Keep a log (I use Excel) of where you've submitted and what pieces you've submitted. If you start to see a pattern--no one wants your piece on your dog--rework those pieces. Target different venues.
8. University presses that publish creative works are often great places to submit. Many have free open reading periods each year, so keep a list of those and submit when they come up.

Good luck.

[writingprof]

Just one more chime to say that the real prize in the poetry world isn't the (nonexistent) advance on your book sales but the academic sinecure. For example, how many classes a year does Sharon Olds actually teach at . . . (looking it up) . . . New York University?  My guess is that the answer approaches "zero."

[Ruralguy]

Ive had sinecure long enough...I want sales for my next fiasco...I mean lovely fruit of my labor.

Then again, I'm not a poet, at NYU, nor am I teaching 1-0 load or whatever.

[writingprof]

Ive had sinecure long enough...I want sales for my next fiasco...I mean lovely fruit of my labor.

Then again, I'm not a poet, at NYU, nor am I teaching 1-0 load or whatever.

Hey, I'm with you.  A 4-4 load can be a sinecure if you know what (not) to do.

[Larimar]

I'm a poet. It can take hundreds of submissions a year to get anything published, and being accepted for a chapbook or other book by a press is very difficult. I suggest a few things:
1. Use Submittable, Submissions Grinder, and publisher info at Poets&Writers to identify potential opportunities. Do not pay to submit unless you really want to support the press or organization calling for submissions.

I do use Submittable, and Poet's Market. Pretty much everything on Submittable requires payment to submit. Will look into the other things; thanks.

2. Follow the submission rules to the letter. And make sure that what you're sending is in line with other things the press has done.

Absolutely. I'm very careful about the former, and do what homework I can toward the latter without spending money for books I don't really want.

3. Of the works you have had published, select only those and a few others with a similar theme or approach to collect into a manuscript.

This does make sense, but I would then worry that everything will sound alike and be really boring reading.

4. Submit the manuscript carefully--read other chapbooks or books from the publishers you submit before you submit. You need to tell the publisher why you think your work is a good fit for t hem.

This too makes sense. I do read descriptions in Poet's Market and what's on publishers' web sites, but how do I do more without spending a lot of money on books that I don't want?

5. Keep going. Look for opportunities for female-identified writers, for writers from your geographical region, etc. Look for opportunities to write on special topics for special issues that are meaningful to you--these can be included in your manuscript.

This has worked when it comes to individual poems. I have a nice list of publications. When it comes to chapbook/full-length manuscripts though, I've gotten disheartened because it all goes into a black hole.  I know not to expect or ask for feedback from publishers, but sheesh, when do you just stop buying the lottery tickets?

6. Don't expect feedback from submissions. Join an online group or take an online course that will get you feedback. Even if you're experienced, workshopping with others is crucial for writers and for developing your writing.

I have found a wonderful poetry group that meets for a workshop every month. We've managed to keep it up by going online for the duration of the pandemic. They are very helpful, and I try to be so for them.

7. Keep a log (I use Excel) of where you've submitted and what pieces you've submitted. If you start to see a pattern--no one wants your piece on your dog--rework those pieces. Target different venues.
8. University presses that publish creative works are often great places to submit. Many have free open reading periods each year, so keep a list of those and submit when they come up.

Yep, got the Excel files; one for submissions, one for readings. Done the rest too. Glad to know I'm following 'best practices'. Thank you for the advice. And nice to meet another poet!

Larimar