Ten Tips to Self-Publish Your Poetry Book

by Therese L. Broderick

1) Believe wholeheartedly in your book. When you self-publish, you are telling the world that your poetry deserves to be made public. You are asking readers to place their trust in your individual judgment, rather than in the judgment of a professional publisher. In order to deserve that trust, never stop believing in your book.

2) Know the competition. Search online bookstores in order to determine how many poetry books already exist which are similar to yours in style or subject matter. Will your collection be indistinguishable from thousands of others? Or will your book be unique because it fills a particular niche or addresses a timely concern?

3) Budget wisely. Most self-published books fail to make their authors rich. Many don't even make a profit. So be honest with yourself. Can you afford to lose money? If yes, how much? Take into account expenditures not only for publishing services, but also for supplies (desktop publishing software, paper, envelopes, etc.), for postage, for the cost of a full tank of gas when traveling to book signings, for phone calls, etc.

4) Do your homework. So many self-publishing options exist that you must investigate all the options in order to determine which are best for you. You may decide to publish in the easiest and cheapest way possible: by posting the book on your blog or website. Or you may decide to compose and print out the book on a desktop computer with the use of self-publishing software. Or you may decide to collaborate with a local print shop or with an online commercial publishing service. Depending upon which option you choose, you will assume some or all of the roles of book designer, proofreader, editor, fact-checker, printer, agent, publicist, contract attorney, accountant, distributor, and stock manager. Start your research by checking out a how-to book from your public library. Then subscribe to some writing magazines, study the websites of the commercial services, take a class or workshop on self-publishing, and join a writers organization.

5) If you decide to collaborate with a local print shop or with an online commercial service, ask to see copies of the books it has already published. Ask for references from previous customers. Examine your contract carefully.

6) Target your audience. Who do you want as readers? Family only? Your local community? The wider general public? Specialists in your area of expertise? The entire internet world?

7) Network. Once you have targeted your audience, promote your book to anyone who may be willing to buy a copy. Make lists of everyone you know: family, friends, neighbors, professional colleagues, service providers like doctors and mechanics, high school and college classmates, military buddies, online acquaintances, fellow hobbyists, newspaper staff, librarians, radio talk show hosts. Contact these people in advance of publication in order to let them know about your forthcoming book. After your book is published, contact them again in order to schedule book signings, speeches, public readings, etc.

8) Learn about copyright by visiting the website www.copyright.gov.

9) Always carry copies of your book with you. No matter where you go, you might be able to make a sale.

10) Be nice to everyone you meet on your journey to publication. Speak and write courteously. Work hard. Play fair. Solve problems. Accept criticism graciously and be willing to revise your poems. Return phone calls and emails promptly. Remember: nice people finish first, not last.

Therese L. Broderick, MFA, is a freelance poet residing in Albany, NY, with her husband and daughter. Visit her blog "Ekphrasis" at poetryaboutart.wordpress.com.