GUIDE TO GETTING YOUR POETRY PUBLISHED
This is intended primarily as a guide for the new poet who is submitting his/her work for the first time - although much of this advice could well be heeded by those who already think they know the ropes.
Because you write poetry you are not unique. Millions of people do it. It therefore follows that publication is difficult, but not impossible.
When submitting poems the following rules should be followed;
- Send no more than 6 poems at a time, avoid sending long poems.
- Poems should be typed 1 to a page with your name and address on each sheet.
- Always keep copies. Work can so easily be lost.
- Any covering letter should be kept short. The editor does not want to know your views on the state of poetry today or your life history. If the poems are accepted and the editor wants more details, he/she will ask.
- A suitably sized sae should always be included with your submission. It is not the responsibility of the editors to pay for the return of submitted material.
- Do not ask for criticism/advice when submitting poetry as criticism of any value takes a long time to formulate and it is not the editor's job to give it. He/she is there to edit. Criticism is best obtained by using an appraisal service or by attending 1 of the numerous poetry writing groups and workshops held up and down the country.
- Do not expect a reply immediately. It is quite usual for a reply to take up to 3 months.
- Study your market. Always see and study a copy of the magazine you intend submitting your work to. The biggest headache of editors is the vast quantity of totally unsuitable material they have to wade through each day.
- You should always refuse to pay to have your poems published. Magazines/publishers who require payment are known as vanity presses. No genuine poet will have anything to do with them.
- Whilst you must avoid paying to have your poems published you must not necessarily expect to be paid. Some magazines cannot afford to pay their contributors except by free copies or a free subscription to the magazine.
Markets
Magazines - The new poet should always aim first to get his/her poems published in the reputable literary magazines (a list of these can be obtained from the Poetry Society on receipt of a sae). Book publishers will normally only consider a poet for publication after he/she has established a track record in the magazines, so it is pointless trying to jump the gun.
Small Presses - Unfortunately, small presses are less active than they used to be, due to economic difficulties of publishing. Many of them only publish certain sorts of poetry so it is vital to be sure that a press is interested in the sort of poetry you write. It is best to send a preliminary letter before sending a manuscript.
Major UK Publishers - It is extremely expensive for a trade publisher to bring out a book of poems by an unknown poet in the hope that it will sell. The major UK publishers will hardly ever look at anyone who does not already have a substantial track record. You are wasting your time and theirs by bombarding them with manuscripts until you have already built up a reputation.
Alternative Publishers - In many ways the new 'alternative' publishers in the area of women, black and cabaret poetry have taken over the traditional role of small presses, ie, in being a 'forcing ground' for new talent. Some of these such as Virago - are now quite large. A fuller discussion of these markets, and full lists of publishers are available in the Writers' and Artists Yearbook and The Writers' Handbook, copies of which are available from your local reference Library.
Vanity Presses
These presses play upon the vanity of the inexperienced author to induce him/her to part with money in order to get his/her poems published. The only concern of these presses is to make money out of you! They are not interested in literary merit at all.
Associations of Interest to Poets
The Poetry Society is a unique organisation devoted entirely to poets and poetry. Full details of its many activities include readings, competitions, membership and Poetry Review, send a large sae to the Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BU, tel 0171 240 4810.
The Arts Council Poetry Library, based in the South Bank Centre, houses an extensive collection of books and magazines for reference or loan. A postal loan service is also available.
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