A MESSAGE TO POETS AND WRITERS READY TO PUBLISH

Dear Emerging Poets and Writers: I’m writing this piece of information directed at poets/writers who are ready or interested in getting their work published.

In answer to the question, ’how do I find a publisher for my book?’ This information should be able to help you in your decision process.

Many literary organizations will help you with your interest in getting published in your local community. Don’t take shortcuts. Do your research and locate these literary groups. They exist locally, state, and nationally. Examples, Poets & Writers, Poets Society, Poetry Foundation, and Just Buffalo. You may have to pay a membership fee, but it is worth it, it’s a good investment, take advantage and enroll in their seminars, and workshops, and attend their programs when they invite, and feature establish poets or writers.

This is all part of the journey to being a published poet or writer. For those with a complete manuscript, these groups will help you to identify legitimate publishers. Sometimes, you need to pay a small fee ($10 to $50) to have your work reviewed and consider for publishing.  Don’t take shortcuts, otherwise, you are going to find yourself spending a lot of money to print a book that is not going anywhere.

Now, if you have good skills in editing, marketing, promotion, etc., you might want to consider publishing the book yourself (it’s called “self-publishing”) using Amazon, and other online semi-publishers will print your book as is, and only charge you to purchase your book at a low rate while selling to customers a said price that you agreed to.

Make sure to do the proper research before going this route, and don’t take any shortcuts. Remember that even great writers or poets have to depend on an editor to make them look good in the revision and formation of the book (front and back cover), but their legitimate publisher assumes the complete cost, not the writer. The publisher even invests money in marketing and promotion. Do your research, it is right under your nose.

Again, do not take shortcuts, and don’t pay hundreds or thousands to book printers that disguise themselves as legitimate publishers. Do your research.