[Jake Sheff]

Hello fellow poetry enthusiasts,

This is more directed toward published writers, specifically writers with collections out there.

My own book of poetry, Looting Versailles, was recently published this August. My experience with the publisher was fantastic, and if anyone would like to ask about her feel free to PM me and we can talk. The problem is much of the marketing is left to the poet, and my job keeps me from marketing the book the way I'd like to.

Specifically, what I'd like to ask is: What are some ways poets can go about finding readers for their collection? I've heard getting it reviewed, entering it in contests. I know there are a lot of options out there, but I think that's my problem. Where do I begin?

Could anyone recommend some places to contact regarding reviews, or maybe a place online with a good, practical list of contests for books already published (so not contests for manuscripts to win publication)?

Any advice offered will be greatly appreciated. Happy Halloween!

Jake

[Quincy Lehr]

You begin, frankly, by being part of a poetic community. There thousands of books of poetry published every year in the U.S.--and that's trade publishers, never mind self- and vanity publishing (and there are some good self-published collections out there). Most of those authors make good-faith attempts to move copies of their books. One is asked to "like" books one has never read on Facebook; as a magazine associate editor, I am frequently queried about reviewing books by authors we've never published--and we can generally fit in four books per issue. I am, on the editorial and buying side of things, more likely to buy a book if I know the author's work already, whether due to a personal acquaintance (and I buy a fair number of books at readings), or through reading, usually in publications I rate to one degree or another--PMing me every draft of every poem you write without checking if it's okay is a good way to get your drafts deleted without my opening them. Or in some cases, I read articles or reviews that sound interesting, or I'm intrigued by the "buzz" around a book. Deciding to go ahead and commission, edit, and print a review is similar.

"Getting involved" can happen in many ways. Take, for example, this place. Getting a rep as a good reader and writer will move books online as well--but one has to put in the legwork. Similarly with live readings, it helps to regularly attend the things if one wants to ask for features. More generally, though, this is my experience (the math's a bit off toward the end, but the principle applies):

http://www.cprw.com/the-lighter-side...ur-poetry-book

[Chris O'Carroll]

You've already done a reading and signing at your local library, I see. You might want to try marketing your book by looking around for other reading venues. Are there local bookstores that host readings? Coffee shops, bars, and restaurants with weekly or monthly poetry events? It's fairly common for a reading at one of those places to have an open mike segment and one or two featured readers. Once you've become known to the organizers through numerous open mike appearances, you can ask about getting a feature spot. When you feature, you can sell books after the show. Showing up regularly for the open mike can also give you the opportunity to meet poets who host out-of-town events and might be looking for readers. Get to know the culture of each reading venue to help you gauge whether it's likely to be good sales territory for you. If the features are selling mostly $5-10 self-published chapbooks, you might not move many copies of a $14 Alabaster Leaves title. On the other hand, if you don't put yourself out there, you might not move any.

[John Whitworth]

J.L. Borges slipped copies of his book into the pockets of overcoats hanging up in the cafes he frequented. J.L. Carr gave away copies of his remaindered novel (he had a thousand in the shed) as awards for non-existent competitions to selected recipients. The book was recommended on the radio by one of thse, a noted litterateur and wit (Frank Muir) and Carr sold the lot at full price. My poetry book 'The Complete Poetical Works of Phoebe Flood' was remaindered and I picked up 600 copies at 30p each. I sold the lotfull price (£3.50) at Primary Schools where I gave performancs and readings. Mothers wouldhave their arms twisted by boys and girls who thought I was famous because I told them so. Of course it was a children's book and it had pictures.

Chris is right. Like Richard lll you have to bustle. It's a ghastly prospect and I'm no good at it - except with children.

[Sharon Fish Mooney]

Greetings from Ohio, Jake--if you are not a member--join the Ohio Poetry Association (OPA) --we're a very active bunch, have really good quarterly workshops and other events with published poets (often faculty from one of the Ohio schools), have a journal and newsletter with good info., and there are lots of open mics and poetry venues around Ohio looking for featured readers...good places to sell your books. The Buckeye Bookfair is this weekend in Wooster which would be a good place to be for you next year -- it's for published Ohio writers/poets. http://www.buckeyebookfair.com/

Here's the link to OPA -- http://www.ohiopoetryassn.org/
if you click on events you'll see some of the venues. I know there is a fairly active group of writers that includes poets in the Dayton area as we had our OPA picnic in Yellow Springs this summer.

[David Anthony]

Nobody reads poetry books. You can win contests and get excellent reviews, but it makes no difference unless your name is Heaney or Cope or Stallings.
I wish you every success with your book.

[Charlotte Innes]

Jake, you're getting some fabulous advice here. I can only echo it. I've published two chapbooks, same publisher, Finishing Line Press, and I did all the marketing, selling, etc. myself, with some success--although I have to add that the publisher did enter the first chapbook for a few prizes, for which they paid the entry fees.

But really, it's all about networking. The Sphere and West Chester have helped me a lot. When my first chapbook came out, I walked around tables at dinnertime (at the West Chester conference) and offered it for dessert--sort of! People did buy a few. As I recall, Ernie Hilbert was doing the same; in fact, I think I got the idea from him.

E-mailing and Facebooking have helped enormously. I've been surprised by people's generosity.

I'm also closely involved in my poetry community in LA, mostly from going to workshops, readings and other poetry events. After a while, you start buying each other's books. I've given quite a few readings here, mostly because I hustled to get them--although frankly, the people who run the poetry series here know me, and perhaps said yes because of that. So, step one, get to know them!

I should add that people do read poetry. Most of the regular reading series here have loyal audiences, and they do buy books. In fact, readings are where I've sold the most books. Complete strangers have actually bought them based on what they heard! (And I'm not at all famous.) It always amazes me and really warms my heart.

The only real review I've had was from Verse Wisconsin--and it was a beautifully written, thoughtful review. How did that happen? I met the editor at West Chester, and she asked to see the chapbook. (Networking again, I suppose.) Finishing Line also gave me a list of publications that publish reviews of chapbooks, and so I dutifully sent copies of my first chapbook around, but nothing came of it. So I never did that again.

But yes, try schools. Students do buy books sometimes.

What else? I think you just have to be imaginative about it, and find your own ways of getting your books out there. Selling them at the local Farmers Market, perhaps? I've sometimes thought of that but never tried it!

Good luck,
Charlotte

[Jayne Osborn]

No one's mentioned local groups; over here in the UK every town and even small villages have groups of enthusiasts for all kinds of activities: The Women's Institute, Historical Societies, Photography groups, Gardening clubs, Retired Teachers' groups, Rotary clubs... and many others.

Their usual practice is to meet monthly and to have a speaker, followed by refreshments, a raffle, announcements, etc. They love to have "something different" (they don't just want talks related to their own particular activity).

Do you have clubs like this in your area that you can contact? I happen to be well blessed where I live, so I get to do lots of readings - and sell lots of books.

If you do this, Jake, don't just read from your new book though. Give them a taster from it, but that's all. Read other poems you've written and fill in with anecdotes, invite the audience to speak to you about poetry; entertain them, make them love you and they will buy your books!!

That's my advice, FWIW. Good luck.

Jayne

[Sharon Fish Mooney]

Libraries are great too and always looking for authors to speak ...I've done quite a few library programs (with unfortunately no poetry book to sell) but had I one, I could have! Jayne has some good ideas for venues--one good thing about poetry -- you can usually find a group to speak to that relates in some way, shape or form to what you are writing even if it's only a few poems.

[Wintaka]

Jake:

Looking for poetry readers?

Why not start with something simpler?

Like unicorns.

Small steps.

-o-