The
Magic Bullet: Q&A for Writers
Posted: December 13, 2006
© Jane Friedman
Q: I have put together a poetic tribute to Ogden Nash that
I have written and would like to have published but don't have the
money to do so on my own. It contains about 64 poems.
I would like to know if you know of anyone who might be
interested in publishing it, or helping financially to get it published.
I have tried and been unable to find anyone yet. Info about me and
my poetry can be found at http://www.themoonpub.com/selectedinfo.html.
I am also listed in the Directory of Poets and Writers at http://www.pw.org/directry/
and was recently named Best New Poet of the Year 2005 by Muses Review.
Thank You.
The title of my chapbook is Witty Is Pretty But Candor
Is Grandor! A Poetic Tribute To Ogden Nash.
-Richard Walker
A: It's very difficult to find major houses these days that still
publish books of poetry; those who still do only publish the major
poets, such as Maya Angelou and Billy Collins. Independent presses
and university presses still publish collections of poetry, typically
by poets who win contests or have a solid reputation in the poetry
community. Graywolf is one of the best known of these. Also, if
you glance through Poets & Writers magazine, you'll
find many ads and listings that advertise contests and calls for
submissions for poetry and fiction.
For all poets seeking publication, your first stop should be a
market guide such as Poet's Market (which my company publishes)
or Directory of Poetry Publishers. You can also search
poetry markets online at Duotrope's
Digest.
The most likely publisher for your work would be one who either
already publishes Ogden Nash's work or otherwise has a connection
to that poet (such as the University of Texas). If those places
do not express interest, then I recommend self-publishing through
an affordable service like Lulu.
___
Jane Friedman is an editorial director at F+W
Publications, where she oversees several imprints, including Writer's
Digest Books and Writer's Market Books. She is the author of The
Beginning Writer's Answer Book (Writer's Digest Books, 2006).
Past Q&A Columns:
December 13, 2006
November 30, 2006
November 20, 2006
September 7, 2006
August 31, 2006
August 25, 2006
August 18, 2006
August 9, 2006
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