Wow. There is a lot of good advice here.

I'm actually pretty involved in the local scene here in Dayton, Ohio. I have a reading scheduled at a local coffee shop in March, and I'm already a member of the Ohio Poetry Association. A sonnet of mine has actually been selected to open the next issue of their journal, Common Threads.

For me, it's a matter of time. I'm a resident physician, so free hours are sparse; days off few and far between. I'd love to do more face-to-face events: readings in other cities, book fairs. But between work and my family, it's difficult, and I was hoping there was more I could do online.

But all the advice I got here was very enlightening, and I appreciate it. I will do my best to do the things recommended, I especially want to do more readings around Ohio. And I have considered changing my name to Cope or Stallings ;)

I'd like to get involved here, you all seem like a great bunch. I'm more into sharing my poetry than workshopping it, and I actually have a couple of poetry writing circles here in Dayton that meet monthly. But the truth is I love talking poetry, sharing poetry. So that being said, I'm encouraged by the outpouring of helpful responses this received, and I'm going to make an effort to contribute here.

Thanks again everyone!

Jake

Quincy, I just want to inform you that your essay is hilarious and very much on point.

Jake (hi!), I agree with Jayne. If you can work out how to entertain people with performance, then just perform the shit out of your poems, and bring your book along.

(Actually, if anybody has advice about how to book a performance venue when visiting an unfamiliar city, I would love to hear it. I'm great at getting invited back to things, but awful at cold calling people, or even working out whom to cold call.)

Dylan Thomas once said, "There are no poetry audiences, just occasional gatherings of eccentrics."

Nothing has changed since then.

People have told me, on this very site, that good reviews do nothing for you except make you feel good. Schlepping around to readings seems to be the only thing that works. The most books I've ever sold in one place was the West Chester conferences -- which means I've spent several thousand $$ to sell $150 worth of books. (Fortunately that's not the only reason for going). I know I'm a confirmed cynic about this & most other things -- but best of luck anyway.

Last time I was at West Chester I provided copies of my new book and said all proceeds were to go to WCU.
They gave me a prime position and all copies were sold.

Much ado
 

Think of it this way: Even if you post a poem here or on another workshop forum, you get far more readers than you might from a chapbook or full-length book. Even if (as in my recent experience) the poems are weak and ignored by critters. On average (ha, just a guess), even the least attended to poems get around 100 readings, some many hundreds. Look at the columns that show how many hits there have been. And some even read at least the first several lines by clicking on the index without actually opening the poem. And that continues on the pages that disappear after page one. Take a look. Our place has a HUGE anonymous readership. That is, if all you want is more readers. I suspect most of us would also like the warm feeling that comes from a real person or even a virtual soul who says Hi! Read it. Loved it. Hated it. And here’s why.

Added: if you do have a book, negotiate having it up on Amazon where those happening on the listing might Look Inside! and read a poem or two before not buying. Or contribute to Snakeskin's Bookfair.

http://www.simmers1.webspace.virginmedia.com/