Making yourself appealing to an independent or university press, part 1

5. Making yourself appealing to an independent or university press, part 1

So, how do you make yourself appealing to the independent and university presses?

If you use a very small press, make sure they have a reputation that is respectable. You should avoid vanity presses. If the press has a reputation for printing anything, the more reliable presses that you are trying to impress will be skeptical of your talents.

Here are the best routes to take:

I.) Meet people--other writers, publishers, editors, etc. This is an important aspect of becoming a publishable poet because editors are looking for poets who are willing to get out into the world and sell their work. Publishers seek out writers that are willing to go out into the world because most small presses do not have anyone working on sales. It is also important to know other writers because if their work is published by a press you would like to be published in, you can get recommendations from the people that know you.

~ Being in an MFA program is a good start

~ Going to big things, like the AWP conference and meeting people there, especially at the after-conference gatherings, where the real connections take place

~ Other places, like the Book Expo of America, may be too large for a poet, but is worth considering

~ Go to poetry readings in your area. Some our curated by indepent person, others by libraries or universities. Keep a look out by searching postings, blogs, and newspapers.