You Can Publish Poetry

Ms. Soli has written an excellent article about vanity presses. If you plan to market poetry, you need to read A Few Words About Vanity Press Publishing... in the "Credo" section at Poetry Cafe.com. There are also links to the author's poetry and other information at this great site.

Writer's Digest ranks at the top of the heap in the trades. The online zine gives a small taste of what the printed journal offers. Online you can access contests, a free newsletter, a daily market listing, and a writing assignment. The publisher issues a yearly Writer's Market that lists thousands of publishers that accept freelance submissions. If you don't want to buy the market book, check the reference section of your public library.

Michael J. Bugeja, author of Art and Craft of Poetry writes a poetry column for the Digest. In the January, 1999, issue, he offers sample poems with worksheets detailing structure, cadence, and endings. I learn something new every time I read one of his columns. The annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition is open to everyone, with a May 31,1999 deadline.

Suite101 has an entire area devoted to Books and Writing, and two specific areas have helped me tremendously. Bev Walton-Porter does our Freelance Writing topic, and she does a first rate job. You can learn about the writing process from creating to publishing from this editor.

Our topic, Women and Creativity, written and edited by Anne Johnson, covers all things related to the muses, and you will find something of interest guaranteed to inspire.

Check out the links in Women's Poetry as well. All the zines listed buy freelance work--look under the words "guidelines" or "submissions" at each site. There are a number of resources listed under the "Helpmates" link from the bulletin on our "Welcome" page.

There isn't a magic bullet for publishing poetry. But I will tell you this. I grew up in a small town with middle class parents and some pretty big dreams. I worked very hard to make them come true. They did, and I owe it in part to the trade magazines and other resources I used. I heard opportunity knock, and I threw that door wide open.

You can too.

Editor's Note: Please take a moment to rate this article. The link below allows you a rating scale of 1-5. I'm holding my breath, here.

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