That's so true that we as poets are fighting against reader's low expectations. It's kind of sad, but I am usually wary of reading other published poets (self or traditionally published) because I'm quite selective in what I enjoy. So I always have pretty low expectations when checking out a poetry book. I didn't realized until you mentioned it that most other people probably have the same expectations when it comes to my book.

Thank you for this video Kaye. I have been encouraged by people to publish my poetry based on what I shared with them in a facebook group. I have gone the printing on demand route, and with just three confirmed orders for my book I paid for the printing of 20 copies. I look forward to this journey into print and am pretty much of a "let's see where this takes me" attitude.

Thanks for the tips! Helpful video 😊

This is super encouraging to see! I've been struggling to get my illustrated poetry book "A Heart Of Ink" available on Amazon and B&N out there but it's made a lot of people cry and their hearts touched who have gotten a copy and not left a review even though I have asked.

I've only recently decided I want to publish a poetry book in the future - though I'm not sure whether to try traditional publishing or go the self-publishing route. I'm still new to the poetry-writing scene, and I'm not planning on publishing anytime soon in particular, but I've realized something as I've just been looking things up online...

Hi Kaye. So glad I found your channel! :) I'm thankful for what you mentioned about small presses. It's the avenue I've been thinking about taking, but had reservations as well. Do you have any recommendations for those who wish to self-publish as well as submit to journals? I am somewhat hesitant to publish what I consider to be my best work myself if it could be read by a larger audience. What are your thoughts?

Rupi Kaur is everything but a poet

Your videos are really helpful, I think I just binged-watched them a bit🙃 I just wanted to ask if you know: when you enter a chapbook contest, what does the manuscript include? For example, is it just my approximately 30 poems that go in? Is it also the front and back cover? Do I need to add something else? I'm quite confused:/

About "having an 'in' ": If you don't have an MFA, do you really have a chance at traditional poetry book publishing? From the outside, it looks like each year's crop of traditionally published poets maps very directly onto each year's crop of FamousTenured Poets' favorite ex-students. It's not as though I've performed an exhaustive search, but I almost NEVER see anyone in the mainstream poetry world who doesn't have an MFA.

The problem I have publishing anything, is that my work is often attributed to another author by the same name. Apparently, my name is as common as Fred Smith.

The and pros cons

clear your voice so that non-native English listeners will understand well enough.