For most people who are in love, writing poetry is one of the easiest and most beautiful ways to express their feelings. You also love to write poetry and are interested in publishing it? In order for your work to reach a wider market, of course, the first step that must be done is to write quality poetry. After that, try offering your work to a literacy journal or various local magazines. If you're having trouble finding a publisher, why not try publishing your own?
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Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Poetry for Publish
Step 1. Complete your poem with a title
Look for a title that you think can represent the content of the poem and is able to let the reader know a little bit about your poem. In addition, make sure the title you choose is interesting in the eyes of the reader and is able to encourage the reader to read the contents of your poem to the end.
If you have trouble finding a specific title, there's nothing wrong with calling it "Untitled" or "Untitled". Most importantly, don't leave the title column blank because chances are, publishers or the media won't be interested in an untitled poem
Step 2. Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors in your poem
Try reading your poem aloud to check for spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. Remember, your poem must be error-free to increase the chances of publication!
If you want, you can also ask the people closest to you to criticize your poetry. Make sure your poems are completely error-free when submitted
Step 3. Use formats and fonts that are easy to read and understand
In general, the font and font size commonly used by prospective writers are Times New Roman or Arial with a size of 12 pt. Avoid fonts that resemble handwriting as they are difficult to read!
Most media have specific rules regarding the format of the work, including the typeface, which are generally clearly stated and can be easily accessed by the public. Always follow these rules to increase the chances of your work getting published
Method 2 of 3: Submitting Works to Literacy Journals and Magazines
Step 1. Find a suitable medium to publish your work
Visit your nearest bookstore or library to find suitable media. Also find out the media or publishers your favorite poet uses to publish his work, and try submitting your work to those media.
Try publishing your work in a local newspaper or online media in the area where you live
Step 2. Read the media you're aiming for before submitting your work there
At least, read one edition to make sure the writing style in the medium matches your taste and writing style.
- Ask yourself, “Does my poetry fit the style and content of this media?” “Can my poetry represent the writing style in this medium?” “Does my poetry style match other works published in this media?”
- Try reading various journals and magazines to identify the most appropriate medium for publishing your work. Take the time to read all of them in detail so that your submissions are not misdirected.
Step 3. Write a short cover letter
If you intend to submit your work to a literacy journal and/or magazine, it is likely that the party who will publish the work will ask you to complete the work attachment with a cover letter. Remember, a good cover letter should be short, straightforward, and clear, no more than four to five lines long. Do not forget to write the name of the intended party, such as the name of the editor of the print or online media who will later publish your work, in the greeting. If you don't know a specific name, just include the name of the organization or publisher you're referring to.
- For example, you could write, “Dear. Gabriel Blackwell, “if you know the recipient's name. If you don't know it yet, just write down the name of the organization that will accept your work such as, “Dear. Poetry Foundation."
- Include a short paragraph summarizing the work you submitted, as well as any relevant awards and publication history. Never ask for criticism, suggestions, or comments from the recipient of your work in a cover letter! Don't try to summarize the content of your poem and explain it in the letter. Finally, don't forget to end the letter with a formal closing greeting such as, “Sincerely” or “Greetings,” accompanied by your full name.
- For example, you might write, “Please download the attachment of one of my poems entitled “September” for your consideration. Some of my other works have been published in the Black Diamond Journal and Online Poetry Sites. I also received a Stegner scholarship and was a finalist in the Poetry Press Prize competition while still studying in the United States in 2017.”
Step 4. Include a brief biography
Don't forget to attach a short biography no longer than four lines. In the biography, inform your area of origin, technical education, as well as various awards and a history of publication of relevant works. Also include your current residence and place of work, if deemed relevant.
For example, you might write, “My work has been published in the Black Diamond Journal, Online Poetry Sites, and other media. Currently, I live in Jakarta and have earned a Master's degree in art from the California Institute of the Arts, United States of America.”
Step 5. Upload your poem to the internet
Most publishers provide online submission services that allow you to upload poems with the help of the internet. To find out the specific rules for submitting a work, try browsing the website of the publisher you are referring to and looking for options to upload your cover letter, biography, and writings on it.
- Some publishers allow you to upload poems that are several pages long. As a result, you can submit more than one work at the same time.
- Some publishers charge a small nominal shipping fee. In some cases, the fee will be allocated by the publisher to pay the readers and editors assigned to assess your work.
- In some cases, you will need to pay a hefty fee just to upload your work to the services provided. Do not forget to consider your budget before doing it, yes!
Step 6. Submit your work by post
Some publishers prefer to receive their work in hard copy. If that's the case with your intended publisher, don't forget to print your cover letter, biography, and poetry on separate sheets, put all three in a sealed envelope, and then send it by post to the publisher's address.
- Also attach a stamped envelope that has been equipped with your address so that the publisher in question can send a reply, if you wish.
- If you wish to have your work returned, please attach a separate, postage stamped envelope with your address.
Step 7. Submit your poem to enter the competition
In fact, quite a lot of publishers are diligent in holding poetry writing contests. Through this event, poets can submit their works and the judges will choose the best works to be won. Generally, prizes are given in the form of money and the opportunity to publish poetry in literacy magazines or journals. That's why winning this kind of competition is very useful to increase your popularity as a poet and make your work easier to be accessed by a wider audience. For more information on poetry writing contests, try searching the internet or on the website of a publishing company!
- Alternatively, you can also follow the social media accounts of your favorite publishers and/or subscribe to their content. That way, you will definitely receive information regarding the poetry writing contest that they are holding.
- Some poetry writing contests have certain themes or concepts that participants must adhere to. Generally, professional poets and writers will be involved as judges so that later the submitted works will be judged and selected by them.
- Poetry competition registration fees are generally more expensive than regular writing competitions, although the provisions are highly dependent on the publisher's policy.
Step 8. Check the validity of your poem for publication
Whatever publication method you choose, make sure your poem is completely original and has never been published in any other medium before. If your work is proven to have been made on a blog, website, or social media, chances are that the publisher will not accept it because they think that the work has been published before. In addition, do not also offer work that you did not create yourself or have been published by others.
Some publishers allow you to offer work to other publishers at the same time. Consequently, if your work has been accepted by one of the publishing companies, don't forget to inform other publishers so that your work can be withdrawn
Method 3 of 3: Self-Publishing Poetry
Step 1. Upload your poem to social media
If you want to publish your work independently, why not upload it to various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter? That way, those closest to you can easily access and enjoy your poems in no time!
Remember, poems that have been uploaded to social media may not be sent to journals or magazines because they violate the rules of publication in mass media
Step 2. Upload the poem to your blog or personal site
If you blog regularly or have a personal website, try uploading your work there so that all of your followers and readers can read it. This option is worth trying if the number of followers or daily visitors of your blog and personal site is quite large.
Encourage your readers to comment. The trick is to respond to every comment that comes in so they know that you appreciate their existence and the time they have taken to read your work
Step 3. Create an e-book containing your collection of poems
If you have several pieces of work, try publishing them as an e-book. As technology advances, nowadays you can easily create e-books by using online publishing programs like Smashwords or Amazon. From a local area, try offering your work to a self-publishing site like Nulisbuku.com. After that, you can immediately sell it over the internet!
