How To Publish Your First Book Of Poetry Even If You’re…

My name is Jeremi Britt Handrinos, and I am a 30-year-old poet
From Los Angeles, California. But a lot of you readers probably

My name is Jeremi Britt Handrinos, and I am a 30-year-old poet
From Los Angeles, California. But alot of you readers probably
Know me better as Horus8. When I was asked to do this column
It never dawned on me how many young poets, and writers, out there would be interested in finding out how I published my first book ‘Juno’s Peacock’ at the tender age of 29. And what exactly happens when you take an idea from the bow’ls of your mind and transform it into a physical manifestation like a book anyway? Do you get paid? Do you go nuts? Is the editing phase a nightmare? Do people even buy poetry, really? Am I ready to put my work out there for the big boys to critique, and mull over? What does it feel like to hold, and read your own book? There’s lots of questions to be asked, I know, that’s why I thought I’d share the story of writing my first book with you folks, and hopefully cast some light onto this most coveted of subjects ‘getting that first manuscript out of the way’, and published. After all, that’s every poet’s wet dream, right? Being authenticated by your own words, joining the ranks of the few, the proud -- The ‘in print’.

I’m not going to pull any punches here, so pay attention. If you are not a strong writer, and by that, I mean, ready to write a book, don’t even waste your time attempting this. Structure, spelling, grammar and talent will not be enough, and if any of those ‘basics’ are your weakness? Fix it -- Now I understand all of you teenagers, and twenty something poets out there (I’ll leave the elderly alone) think that your poetry is untouchable, and worthy. But trust me, the craft of poetry is ancient, and a life long process, so prepare to be humbled. Writing a good book takes a great team: The author, sitting down and bearing all for God only knows how frickin’ long it’ll take, months, years? A fantastic editor (to play the middleman between you and the publisher), along with THE EDITING -- And finally a publisher that’s willing to take a chance on you, make you feel appreciated and brilliant, (while marketing the holy be-Jesus out of your poetry all the while) you need people you can trust, period, be picky, and wallow in your own glory!

I was 19, and in military prison, when I began writing Juno’s Peacock. Of course I had no clue at the time that that was what I was doing, but that’s when it became clear to me that I loved reading and writing too much to not at least try to voice down on paper what I was experiencing, and why. I’m not saying that you all should go out and get thrown in jail for some quick inspiration, but what I am saying is don’t write a book, just because you can. Write a book because you absolutely have to. I think that the best stories are instigated by real life tragedies and victories. We all have had some of those insane years where absolutely nothing goes right, and we’re convinced we’re at the end of our rope. Use that friction and confusion to fuel the focus, and discipline, that it takes to finish writing a publishable manuscript, because, it is definitely not going to write itself.

Talent, what is talent when it comes to poetry?
Is it being able to write a Sestina left-handed, drunk?
A sonnet while having sex with some groupie that thinks, “you’re groovy”?  Spontaneously riffing masterful wit and prose to audiences of one to a thousand on a dare? Maybe, perhaps it’s just another loose term easily thrown around by the masses like ‘genius’ or ‘perfect’. Whatever it is? It’s out there, and some have it in spades while others can’t find it with a bold typed map, boy-scout compass, and a platinum card for the life of ’em. See, my definition of talent is ‘The natural ability to learn, comprehend, and practice a craft, trade, or sport, out of sheer curiosity, love, and respect quicker, and more efficiently than your average peer. Merely because you want to, or will it rather.” Must one have talent to be taken seriously as a poet? No, but it definitely helps, and can be a huge short cut. Especially because it’s normally the deciding factor when an author’s work is up for possible publication. So be sure to bring a mature load of talent and patience to the table.

Because, normally, it’s very difficult to publish poetry under the age of 35, simply because the competition, and the pecking order, is immense -- This is where talent can intercede, and grant you the nod. Poetry is no different than any other occupation, you have to pay your dues, and that doesn’t mean posting shitty poems about cutting, or suicide, on poetry.com while trying to impress Sally McLathers in your sixth period computer science class -- Pretending your mediocre rhymes have long lasting flare and rowdy gusto. I’m talking about real poetry, the most difficult area of the literary world to grasp, and the most respected and prestigious style of writing that there is, naturally. What, are you guys still using that lame ass “I’m not a poet, I just like to mess around with it” line? Too late, you’re here so shit, shoot, or scatter.

Knowing your poetry is a poet’s secret weapon, and here’s why:
You can hold a conversation, or a debate about poetry with the utmost confidence and clarity -- because, it’s pretty embarrassing not knowing the difference between contemporary writing, the classics, or a haiku from a senryu. Every one knows who Edgar Allen Poe is, be original -- know who Ezra Fucking Pound is. Study your craft, and its most prolific writers inside and out. In the end you might not be able to write a villanelle, but at least you’ll know who invented it, why, and when. The more time you spend saturated in poetry, the more your work will reflect that. There is no such thing as a published writer that avoids the basics. They’re called hobbyists, and they give all of their money to the National Library Of Poetry, for a tacky bronze plaque, and the opportunity to have their verses scored to poorly written musical compositions while drinking the cheapest wine imaginable out of a plastic cup at a poetry convention somewhere in Denver. You’ll know the difference when that fateful day arrives and you’re offered a publishing deal (that you DON’T have to pay for) to be stuck in some cheesy anthology with the better half of Idaho, on page 372 in between butterfly fluffers, and a poem about Binky the fattest cat ever. So educate yourself, and reap the rewards, or else, be ridiculed.

Okay, back to prison, I started writing about 9,000 words a day, and man did I suck, royally. But by pushing all of the crap poems and prose out I eventually got ‘out’ (of the slammer [I was innocent! JK]) And down to the good stuff. I’ve kept a journal of both; my days, my dreams, and my goofy lists since I’ve been a teen, and does that stuff ever come in handy. Here’s why: your work begins to accumulate over time. So by the time I hit 26, and I was trying to put together a manuscript for competitions internationally? I had already written the book, I just didn’t realize it yet, because I hadn’t pieced the puzzle together. That’s when I started putting the poems and stories together in a way that I thought would be well received, and submitting what was to be the first drafts of Juno’s Peacock. That’s also how I learned, and when I learned, a valuable lesson in editing. That being, good poetry works off of other solid poems, so the way you arrange your poems together in the book is essential to the bigger picture. By creating a wonderful cohesive read for all involved that goes somewhere and isn’t just a bunch of your favorite poems slopped together. Mix styles, step out of the box, be brave for once, yet crystal clear.

For example: You start with a great title that encompasses everything you’re trying to say ‘Juno’s Peacock’ what does that title mean to me? Well, because I’m a big mythology buff it says it all, and since a lot of people out there kind of know what good mythology is about? It just might spark their curiosity to check it out. Now what? Should the book have parts? Yes, and these sections should play off of the title. Part one ‘Catching The Bird’, part two, ‘Keeping The Bird’ and part three ‘Letting The Bird Go’. See what I’ve done here? Now I’ll have an easier time selecting the poetry for each section. I’ve added time and action to the larger dimensions of the book by giving it three chapters if you will that help to move the book along, and give the reader some landmarks.  I’ll use poems about searching for something in the first part, holding onto it once I have it, in the second part, and poems about letting go of it for the third part and conclusion. Make sure to keep all sections of the book balanced by maintaining a close page count. In other words if you have twenty five pages in part one? Shoot for a similar number of pages for your other parts. But by no means am I suggesting too use only three parts. Be original, split up your book in any way that feels organic too you. Know your enemy, and the competition. Study their work, purchase their books, improve upon their weakness’ -- by absorbing them and beating them at their own game. Research who’s currently selling lots of books, and see what their books look like, and who they are publishing with, savvy?

What else should a great first book manuscript contain before submission? No fancy font, or ridiculous gimmickry. A title page with only the title, and nothing else -- A second title page with the title, then underneath that your name, address, date, and e-mail. Your third page is the table of contents, and it should be accurate when compared to the actual order of the poems, hence the purpose in having a table of contents. Next, a dedication page, (“In memory of Wanda etc…”) if needed -- Then a page listing any poems that you’re including that have been previously published, with who, and when (very important, because this will slow down the publishing process in legalities otherwise). Each section, and poems in the book should have their own page. Avoid trying to save space, yes, that means even a haiku gets its own page. If a poem ends in the middle of a second or third page, let it, but start the next poem on a new page. End the book with a last page dedicated to a little bit about yourself, a paragraph, a short description and bio, be careful not to sound stupid in the post haze of finishing your book by thanking god, or Puff daddy, and what have you. Try to keep it 50 words and very basic in detail pertaining to your occupation(s), interests and family members -- preferably, not your favorite junk food, actors, or silly pet names.

The difference between a chapbook and a normal book is about 50 pages, be sure you know which one you are attempting. A chapbook is between 25 and 40 pages while a book of poetry is around 70 to a 100. Cover art and typos are crucial, because
You have to wait until 2,500 copies have been printed, or what have you, until you can go back and correct the errors, typos, and artistic changes. Don’t quote me on the 2500 book limit ‘till re-printing, because all publishers are different. What’s a fair royalty to expect when selling your first book (physically)? Around 25% (30% for electronic book sales) unfortunately, that’s a quarter to you and three quarters for them, I know, it makes no sense, but what does. Thankfully, those numbers can go up or down depending on you, and how you evolve as an author. After all, poetry ain’t fiction. Fiction writers are rich, bald, and overpaid -- where as poets are drunk, gullible, and broke. Although both are liable to include a ten year younger head-shot for their back covers, along with write-ups from friends that owe us one. Like Ed Peterson, and DP Robertson…
(By putting my nuts on display, I made their nuts marketable)

Let’s see, what else? Oh when you get your books in the mail (some are free to a point for the author, along with the option to purchase your own book at an author discount whenever), My advice would be don’t give them all away to your friends showing off, because you never know when your book will go out of print forcing you to beat up relatives in order to get a copy back for yourself. Be pro-active when it comes to marketing and advertising your book. Do all you can to help out by linking up your websites and sending out e-mails to spread the word to the masses that your book is for sale. Every little bit helps, you’d be amazed how many books and CD’s I’ve sold without representation. The inter-net is a new frontier, so exploit the hell out of it. Enter your book in first book of poetry competitions around the world, and see how it fares. Where do you find out about cash competitions and publication for first book poets? Poets & Writer’s Magazine, it’s a staple baby, use it. There are millions of dollars out there for you to win, and tons of small and large presses interested in new faces and writers. My Juno’s Peacock manuscript was turned down over ten times before it was finally picked up, so don’t give up, and be consistent by following through and making the appropriate adjustments when necessary, things are bound to happen.

And that about does it kids I’ll be including my publisher’s information, and my book’s link in this column for you to investigate on your own. Please don’t call them up and say, “Dude, Horus8 and I are buds… So lets work together, okay?”
Because they already know I have fewer friends than herpes.

sun-rising-books.com/juno_s_peacock_1.html

www.sun-rising-poetry.com/juno.htm

img.allpoetry.com/images/mag/oct04/Ed+Peterson%27s+Review+of+Temporal+by+horus8.html

Writing your first book can not only be empowering and rewarding, but also nerve racking, and a major drain on life. Not only because you’re stuck with the end result permanently, but also because, so is everyone else. Make it unique, and make it count because you just don’t know how many books you got in you. Few are fortunate enough to get one out, so take your time, and let the experience taste great, and be less filling with no expectations or outside pressures. There is no room for backseat drivers on the poetic highway to immortality. Spend some time alone with yourself, and who knows? You might just impregnate your inner Chi with that ‘First Book Author’s Seed’ and walk away from the introspection expecting a book of your very own to deliver. Good luck, goodbye, and let your words multiply.

All Of Yours truly,

Horus8