Have you ever thought about how nice it would be to see your poem discussed in the New York Times? Think you have what it takes to become a famous poet? Well the unfortunate truth is that no one has what it takes to be a famous poet. Here's a little exercise: Name the most famous contemporary poet you can think of. Louise Gluck, Frank Bidart, and Maya Angelou, are all well known poets, but did you even know who all of them were?
Mainstream America has no interest in poetry and so your biggest audience, as a poet, is going to be other poets. Even Maya Angelou had to write novels in order to place herself in the who's who's list of poets. Poets have to have day jobs. Even Pulitzer Prize winning poets are essentially awarded a day job along with the esteem and money that comes with the prize.
Now then, if you still aim to be a published poet, despite the lack of fame or wealth you will receive for your endeavors, there are a few things you can do to boost your "career." Considering the fact that your biggest audience will be poets, you might need to establish a name for yourself within that circle.
Get subscriptions to well know literary journals. Keep your poetic eye on the kind of poetry that these journals publish. When you find a reputable journal that publishes poetry that compliments your poetic style, find out how you can submit your poem to this journal.
Submitting poetry to literary journals is an art in itself. Always pay particular attention to the guidelines and be sure to follow them to the last letter. If and when your poetry is published, be sure to pay attention to the rights. You might not be able to submit the same poems to another journal.
All right, then your next step will be to submit poetry to other journals, and since you've been published before, you can put that in your biography. You are now establishing a history of getting published in reputable journals. The more you publish, the higher you can go, see?
You can also try your hand at publishing chapbooks and asking local bookstores if you can do poetry readings to help you sell them. Self-publishing, which is how you publish your chapbooks, is more common and helpful for poets than it is for traditional novelists. The reason for this is that the consumer very rarely seeks after poetry. You might consider publishing your books and chapbooks after developing a history of getting published by literary journals.
Finally, don't count out the power of the Internet Super Highway. Create a website for yourself that attracts the poetic community. Advertise your website and try to boost up your site's Google rating. Once you do this, you have a great marketing tool for your self-published chapbooks and poetry books.
There are many ways, some not even mentioned in this article, for you to establish yourself as a poet. Just remember that it might be a slow, and at times, arduous journey that rarely yields wealth and fame.
Devrie Paradowski is a freelance writer and poet. Her poetry has been published by several literary journals and she has written dozens of articles for various publications including "Poetry Renewal Magazine," and "Poetryscams.com." She is the author of the chapbook, "Something In the Dirt," which can be found at http://www.lulu.com/content/108560 . In 2001, Devrie founded a popular online literary community ( http://www.lulu.com/content/108560 ) that has become highly respected for some of the most honest and in-depth poetic critique on the Internet. In keeping with her commitment to inspire amateur writers to hone their skills, she also founded a local writer's group called, "The Fire and Ice Writer's Group."
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareIquitos & the Amazon Part OneIt was December 2, l959,... Read More
Blind DesignsBorn today, gone tomorrow Like a butterfly with no... Read More
Amy King Antidotes for an Alibi BlazeVox Books ISBN 0-9759227-5-0... Read More
Grandpa's House [The ole Real House]The house needed painting Sun-blistered... Read More
Poems have different cores, or so I believe, and can... Read More
As I picked up some of the polished gemstones in... Read More
Do not be afraid to shine. This world needs what... Read More
You make me smile like I've seldom done before You... Read More
Tale of the Brick Maker, Of San Jer?nimo, Peru... Read More
Amy King's first full-length collection, Antidotes for an Alibi, insists... Read More
In the Mountains of Haiti(In the City)-July is a hot... Read More
Cesar Vallejo: Black RosesBow down your head ol' poet- To... Read More
Sometimes we feel hard-pressed, Our backs against the wall;... Read More
Footprints to Mantaro Valley (Peru; in English and Spanish)In what... Read More
1) End PoemWherever you are today- Is where you were... Read More
Growing hurts sometimes; saying goodbye to friends, ... Read More
The Goat and the Ropewhere there were devils I saw... Read More
If you are serious about seeing your work published by... Read More
The Epic Poem:A Death in Cajamarca, Peru [Atahualpa, in Cajamarca]Advance:... Read More
Here is some witty poetry (not sure if that is... Read More
You are to me my lifeline my security. That scares... Read More
I never met a man, who could shake my hand,... Read More
What do you do when you want to write poetry?... Read More
There I sat, ninety-five degree weatherOutside; the bookstore caf?, was... Read More
I want to get closeI am afraid.Afraid of what... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Isn't that what they say?But what does that mean?There's no... Read More
In the quiet of the arctic night- In its deep... Read More
I want to get closeI am afraid.Afraid of what... Read More
In early fall, in Minnesota, the rain falls, falls, In... Read More
You are to me my lifeline my security. That scares... Read More
The concept of brief encounters, even romantic encounters, with a... Read More
I can see the cerulean blue of the skiesOr the... Read More
Real Power.One Tsunami, and all our armies, Seem belittled by... Read More
English Version1) Grendel's DivorceYou must know that I do not... Read More
Part OneI tell you a legend of long ago Of... Read More
To many non-specialists of literature, poetry is deeply unsatisfying. There... Read More
Key Largo:The fans turn lazily in front of the doorThey... Read More
Robert Burns, a poor man, an educated man, and a... Read More
Daybreak at Pikes Creek [Summer of 2005]Daybreak by Lake Superior... Read More
Take some time to stop and look at nature. Pick... Read More
Stone Beds [Pompeii's surge]Advance: after the great eruption of Pompeii's... Read More
Let's follow the poet to his Hell and heaven! Count... Read More
Our home was warm in the shade of the trees... Read More
English Version12) Black Poncho(of Saint Cosme Hill, by Lima, Peru)Lost... Read More
On through the darkness she searches the bones Seeking the... Read More
Says Mr. Dennis Siluk, when asked to review his poetry... Read More
Amy King Antidotes for an Alibi BlazeVox Books ISBN 0-9759227-5-0... Read More
Since Mohamed Ali?then Cassius Clay?announced that he had written "The... Read More
"I heard what you said, Red. Yet, I have to... Read More
Old skin, once held tight Against her skeleton- Rose no... Read More
Poetry |