brigitteliebenbe
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18/09/2007 | Dear George, well you have chosen probably the hardest genre to sell (as have we all!) It seems that mainstream publishers do not want poetry - it scares them!!!!!!! My book is on lulu.com as a PoD (print of demand) It is a cheap way of getting the book out there - then the marketing is up to you - hours a day on the e-mail and lots of naggng, begging etc. But, it works! Also, get some stuff published in poetry journals - you are lucky in the States as there are hundreds of them. My favourite thought - rejection by a publisher means they don't understand the work!
Good luck
Brigitte |
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DamienDread
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18/09/2007 | I must say that my book isn't doing so well either. I've sold roughly thirty copies, in variuos parts of the world but not nearly as much as I'd like.
I have a lot of goth/vamp fans, none of them that reside in my city.
I do really good in the Soutern United States and in the UK.
I guess you really have to know your audience.
D.Dread
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Teri
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18/09/2007 | *looks around bookshelves, which are crammed with poetry books*
Okay, granted, they're almost all in Spanish, but yes, poetry does sell. However, you've got to be good - very, very good. I respectfully disagree with Brigitte. There are agents, editors and publishers who are schooled in poetry. They understand it, but they have very high standards. And they should.
Just in my office alone, I've counted over twenty poetry books. There are scads and scads more downstairs. So, yes, they sell, but you have to be better than average. |
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lin
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18/09/2007 | Of course they sell. What do you think mothers and boyfriends are for. |
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Teri
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18/09/2007 | And children. Don't forget children. A few reminders of labor pains and colic, and you've got a bestseller there.
Which reminds me. I have to send my kids out some timely emails once the 2nd ER anthology comes out. mwahaha |
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destructogirl69
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18/09/2007 | My question is for Brigitte....what on earth do you say in these nagging begging emails that got people convinced they should buy your books? Because I have sold five. Five whole copies and none of those were to my adoring family who love me unconditionally and encourage me to excel in whatever I might try....
No, I'm not bitter...not even a little bit. |
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brigitteliebenbe
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19/09/2007 | hi destructogirl! I am quite blessed actually - I have sold about 400 copies but only about 23 on lulu. It helps that 50% of my royalty goes to community outreach, so it is in a good cause. I have also placed books in our local supermarket, gift shop and christian bookstore, which sell slowly but regularly. I just tell people that it makes a great gift, share the feedback, which is that it opens people to dealing with pain and to look for healing etc.
My adoring family who live in the UK bought one copy! But I think they are in denial of what happened to me and so don't want to show their friends as it is not an easy story to share!
To Teri - I live in South Africa and the comment is always the same 'We don't publish poetry at all!' I've searched all over the net for literary agents but to no avail and I cannot afford to pay - especially in $. Our shops here have hardly any poetry except for the classic anthologies inc Wordsworth etc.
any suggestions would be gratefully accepted - I believe in my work - conceived in despair but birthed in hope and healing!Check it out on lulu and let me know what you think.
And GOOD LUCK to all out there! |
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metaphysicalg
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22/09/2007 | My work isn't understood by most. Not even after 4 books. I didn't want to write a 5th but I have 12 or 13 new poems and it seemns like work that I'll want to share. I'm thinking about taking it to a publisher after the 5th. We will see. Thanks for the input and advice. |
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R Dayle
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23/09/2007 | -Post Removed by Author-
Post edited on: 22/09/2007 07:41:07 PM
Post edited on: 23/09/2007 03:43:21 AM |
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DamienDread
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22/09/2007 | " My work isn't understood by most. "
Your comment reminds me of an interview I once seen. David Lynch was talking about his movie " Eraserhead ". He said that everyone he had spoken to or anything he had read about his movie wasn't what his interparetation of " Eraserhead " was.
If you believe in your work, then go for it !!! To Hell with everyone else !!!
By the way, to all you nay sayers currently on your way to Hell, send my best to the dark lord ! =)
D.Dread
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R Dayle
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23/09/2007 | -Post Removed by Author-
Post edited on: 23/09/2007 03:43:56 AM |
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DamienDread
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22/09/2007 | LOL@ " stake " dinner.
Hey, George, you could be "that" guy !!!
LOL
D.Dread
P.s. No Stake dinners for me !!! I'm allergic to wood. |
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R Dayle
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23/09/2007 | -Post Removed by Author-
Post edited on: 23/09/2007 12:10:00 AM
Post edited on: 23/09/2007 03:44:57 AM |
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Yedwelsh
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30/10/2007 | i started buying gallons of Padding Compound, a paper cutter and a large saddle stapler, twenty years ago? And printing my own little terrible books of poetry. It's a good experience. well worth the time. You will be lucky to buy your own lunch each week tho. THat lunch tastes fantastic, however. |
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LadyMoon
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30/10/2007 | *hangs head in embarrassment*
It seems that I only buy Leonard Cohen and poetry magazines.
Perhaps it's times to revamp. the ole' bookshelf a bit and broaden my horizons. Then again... I just started this new library thing. Read three books in two weeks.
Perhaps I do like more than just Cohen! I took out Ginsberg's 'Kaddish' and 'Reality Sandwiches'. And some Hemingway.
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rdferguson
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30/10/2007 | if you're not going to get a publisher, learn how to put your works in a high quality form. i suggest hiring a good graphic artist to have it laid out properly in PDF. learn marketing. i'll help get you started right now by giving you the absolute basics: product, promotion, place and price. these are the vital things to understand about your poetry in order to market it effectively. understand what sort of person would want to read your material, and what value they would give it.
make sure that the people who stumble across your stuff know what to expect if they open it before they do so. mystery marketing only works if you've got about $250,000 advertising budget. seeing as you don't, be very specific in defining what you're about as a poet. also, it's a very good idea to make it something more than just poetry. |
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champagne
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31/10/2007 | I know that all of us can't be fortunate enough to have a publisher say our poetry chapbook is worthy of their effort but, unless you submit, submit, submit and submit some more, how can they even answer that they don't want your manuscript?
Be realistic. Have you gotten feedback from knowledgeable poetry editors that has encouraged you to pursue publication? Have you even had a poetry editor take a look?
There are several free poetry e-zines on the web, read them and see if your poems are a good fit for their audience. If they are, submit according to their submission guidelines and wait to hear from them.
The beauty of the internet is that you can communicate irrespective of borders and (hopefully) prejudice. Just start the conversation by submitting your poems.
No one (not even most poet laureates) makes their living through writing poems alone. That's the reality so even if the chapbook sells, it's not going to make you rich, but it will get you read. |
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GrkGrl
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01/11/2007 | i was once told by a published poet that poetry is a fad, and like the bell bottom pants, it will find it's way back to popularity again one day... |
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