I'm getting published

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When I can put together a volume of poetry Author House will publish it. I just need suggesting as to which poems to include so please check out my blog johnaster.blogspot.com (reading the poetry) and decide which ones I should use. I emailed four friends to help me decide but I haven't yet got a reply it's only been 24 hrs but I feel rushed. I have to decide from 900 poems which ones to include in a 100 page volume of poetry (which I plan on including illustrations although not by me). Read my earliest poems on my blog first, I really scrap the bottom of the barrel (at least in my opinion) when I was typing up my 100 poems

You do realize Author House is what is known as a "vanity" publisher, right? Such places take advantage of young or inexperienced authors by making them pay to publish their own work. (Real publishers pay the author, not the other way around.) More people are likely to see your work on your website than in a paper edition, because Author House will not promote your book in any way.

The book is the accomplishment. To see it in libraries. Besides I'll still make royalties and keep creative control so it's win/win. Why does everybody always try to bring me down.

Sorry, I just thought you were going to be ripped off. I looked at the site and it looks like you're about to pay at least $399 for your poetry book. I'm afraid no library in the world is going to put a self-published book of poems by a first time author on their shelves, even if you give it to them for free. That's just the facts.

I'm using iUniverse for my first book, and yes I have to pay but they are very impressive. And besides, it's very, very hard to get published if you are a first time author. My best friend has had a bad experience with this. Usually you have to hire an agent, then it takes a long time to hear back from them... and most publishers won't even look at unsolicited work, and it can take a publisher a year to get rejected! So I believe that if you are a first time author who needs to make a start, it may be expensive but self publishing is the way to go. Once you are established, THEN you have a better chance at being accepted by a publisher for future work. I am hoping that will be the case with me anyway. But Johnaster, WTG!! It IS a huge accomplishment, self published or not!

dear dear johnaster, i do not think anyone is trying to bring you down. take heart., you are writing poetry.
I know a bit about publishing - and i think arielhawksquill is trying to help.


Find value in your poetry and do it because you love it.
Join a writers group and get to know a few peers.

and watch out for dubious publishing houses that try to feed off young and keen and creative souls who want to make a mark on the world through their artform.

I wish you well and hope you understand i celebrate and applaud you for pursuing your poetry and writing.

And congratulations on gettin gout there and giving htings a go. I have made many wrong turns in my career and continue to do so at times because of AS. But i do not let that deter me. I still try and give things a go.
If your heart is in getting this book published, then go for it and know a lot of people on WP really wish you every success.

Last edited by millie on 04 Jun 2009, 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

This is great news. Congratulations!

I have a neice who has written a wonderful children's novel that has been turned down by every publishing house she's approached. I keep telling her that she needs to go ahead and self-publish, print off about fifty copies and hit every school and public library in her area and offer readings. She doesn't have my problems with social anxiety; she can sell just about anything when she sets her mind to it, but she's got her mind made up that a publishing house has to come to her with an offer, not that she's just got to get out and sell her book.

I'm so glad to hear about a young author with the gumption to get out and do what needs to be done.

Regards,

Patricia

Good on you!!

The best achievement here is that you got out and did something with your work - it's the go getters that make it in life. I personally have several hundred poems stored on my computer, and I've always meant to do something with them (like send some to journals/organize them into some volumes) but I never get around to it.

Speaking of which, another thing you can do as a poet (which a university lecturer recommended to me) is send some of your work to peer edited journals; it won't cost you anything, and if they choose to publish it sometimes that's how you can become known as a poet (it can then get selected for other volumes, and so on).

I second sunshower, doing it is what counts. The cost is minor, for a lot of work goes into setting up a book. Those who offer free, like Lulu Press, catch you on the per copy price, and free can't complain.

One thing they all have in common is no promotion, a major may pay for some reviews, send out free copies, but it is always the writer who must do readings, signings at book stores, visit clubs, and build a name.

I compare it to a band, your music may be great, but you have to go on tour, play a hundred clubs, and build a name.

A first book is like being a painter with one picture, it's a start. The great thing about books is they are cheap enough to give away, and that drives readership. You have to talk about your work, but when other people talk about it, that is better.

It will also show your shortcomings, and things you would do different in the second book.

First book, you will advance in a dozen directions, and become wiser.

It is not an end but a beginning.