So I’ve actually covered getting blurbs previously–a few years back when my debut collection, Solving the World’s Problems, was released. In that post, I wrote about securing blurbs for a poetry collection, but I think there’s more that could’ve been covered. So here we are.
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Order the New Poet’s Market!
The 2017 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer, includes hundreds of poetry markets, including listings for poetry publications, publishers, contests, and more! With names, contact information, and submission tips, poets can find the right markets for their poetry and achieve more publication success than ever before.
In addition to the listings, there are articles on the craft, business, and promotion of poetry–so that poets can learn the ins and outs of writing poetry and seeking publication. Plus, it includes a one-year subscription to the poetry-related information on WritersMarket.com. All in all, it’s the best resource for poets looking to secure publication.
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How to Get Blurbs for Your Poetry Collection
Blurbs are recommendations that go on the cover (and sometimes the inside pages) of your book. They may or may not help sell some readers on your book, but they’re a publishing convention. Here’s how to get blurbs for your poetry collection:
- Make a list of poets you admire. For my collection, I made a short list of four or five poets whose work I really loved. Each was a poetry rock star as far as I was concerned.
- Contact your list of poets. Start with your short list and then add to that list if necessary until you have two to three blurbs. For me, I actually got everyone on my short list; so I was super excited.
- Offer them a contributor copy. I’ve blurbed quite a few books over the years, and it means a lot to me when poets actually give me a copy of the collection I’ve taken time to read and recommend. If your poetic rock stars have given up their time to do the same, sending them a contributor copy is really the least you can (and should) do.
- Thank them for their time. This should go without saying, but… Also, it’s a nice nod if you can mention in the Acknowledgments if possible.
When to Get Blurbs for Your Poetry Collection
So should you rush out and get these blurbs today?
Only if you have a poetry collection that’s coming out soon. Actually, you want your manuscript to be as close to finished as possible, because the blurbs may cite poems and/or lines from the poems in their blurbs.
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Robert Lee Brewer is the editor of Poet’s Market and author of Solving the World’s Problems. He’s a big fan of Robert Frost and would like to take a moment to say (completely unrelated), “May the 4th be with you.”
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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Check out these other poetic posts:
- Bryan Borland: Poet Interview.
- Collecting Poems Into a Book: 5 Poets Share Their Method.
- Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 391.
The post How to Get Blurbs for Your Poetry Collection appeared first on WritersDigest.com.
from Writing Editor Blogs – WritersDigest.com
http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/get-blurbs-poetry-collection
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