Should I Self-Publish my Poetry? Why Self-Publishing Poetry Might Be Right For You

As it's National Poetry Day, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to discuss the benefits of self-publishing poetry (and the disadvantages, of course!) 

Making it into the poetry scene can be difficult, even if you have great poems, so it is important to consider all your options that can get your poetry out there. Remember, Rupi Kaur began as a self-published poet, which gained her commercial success! 

Advantages of Self-Publishing Your Poetry 

Having Copies for Events 

If you opt for printed copies of your collection, then it's a great way of promoting your work at events. Having something tangible you can sell not only means people are more likely to read your work, but also leaves a lasting impression (hopefully in their minds and on their bookshelf!) 

There are an array of different events you could attend, from book signings to literature fairs - having your poetry self-published is a way to establish your work in the scene. 

Setting up a Brand 

As we've said, standing out of the crowd can be very difficult when it comes to poetry. If you have a self-published collection, you can start to build your author brand, building a following and gaining interest in your work. This can also be achieved by other digital means, such as having an author website,  Netgalley reviews and accounts on author platforms such as a GoodReads and Amazon Author Central. For GoodReads, Amazon Author Central and Netgalley in particular, your work needs to be published, and these tools will help establish yourself as a poet in a competitive field. 

Having an actual product can also help with engagement on social media, as research reveals that people tend to appreciate the aesthetic of authentic photos over graphics. You could take many photos of your poetry collection, different pages, to try and reach a wider audience who might be interested in your work. If you set up a Linktree, you can link up your social media to your website, so potential readers can easily buy your collection.  

For more information on how Troubador can help with the marketing of your poetry collection, check out our marketing services page here. 

Bookshops 

If you have a printed collection, you can get your work into bookshops! Bookshops are very keen to work with independent authors, particularly if you are local to their area. You can talk directly to bookshops to get your collection sold there, and for more information on how what information you should bring, check out our blog on approaching bookshops here. Alternatively, companies like Troubador can set up retail and trade distribution, so that we can supply your books to companies like Waterstones and Amazon. 

There's no need to say that seeing your work in a bookshop is a dream for many writers - and, of course, hopefully readers will see your work and pick it up! 

Control 

As with all self-publishing, a significant benefit is the control of not only what you get to publish, but also how you want your collection to look. With self-publishing, you are in control over your cover, whether you want it distributed, what formats you want it available in, and so on. It also means you aren't subjected to the demands of the traditional process, so you can get your collection out far more quickly. 

Self-publishing is a way to ensure that your poetry can make it out into the world - and, who knows, maybe a traditonal publisher will see, and take interest. 

Changing Attitudes to Self-Publishing  

The days of self-publishing being looked down on are gone. Self-publishing has become a respected and valued method of getting your work out there: so you shouldn't fear publishing snobbery. To have a read about other self-publishing myths, check out our article here. 

You Don't Have To Do It Alone

Whilst self-publishing is often believed to be a solo experience, that couldn't be further from the truth. Companies (like us!) offer editing, cover design, marketing and distribution services, to help your poetry be the best it can be, whilst also maintaining the author control. It is important that you work with a company who meet your budget, and tailor the services to help you achieve your aim. To look at a range of self-publishing companies, and who might be best for your needs, check out our blog here. 

Challenges 

Of course, as with any self-publishing, there are challenges that poets may face.

Quality Control 

Unlike in traditional publishing, where the responsibility for the quality falls on them, in self-publishing that's down to you. You need to be careful about the quality of the editing, any typesetting you'll do, any photos you use, cover design, right up to the quality of the paper you'd print it on. Of course, you can always receive support in all these areas, but it is up to you prior publication to ensure you are happy with the quality of your poetry collection. 

We thoroughly advise that you do plenty of research on the companies that you may use. You can check them out on TrustPilot, GoogleReviews, as well as seeing their presence on social media. Make sure you go with a company you know you can trust - it is your poetry collection, after all. 

Finding Readers 

Once again, whilst you can opt into service to help you (like our lovely marketing and digital marketing services!), if you don't want to invest, a lot the onus on finding readers will be on you. There's plenty of ways you can do it, from having a strong social media presence, to establishing a good relationship with your local bookstore. Rupi Kaur even says some of her fondest memories were from the days hustling and bustling to sell her books in events and bookstores. This is something to consider, but don't be disheartened by it - we have plenty of advice on our blog to help you boost sales. Read our articles on selling books locally, and gaining visibility for your book. 

The Cost of Self-Publishing 

Before you choose to self-publish your collection, you'll have to think about the different costs incurred. Of course there are cheaper platforms, such as Amazon KDP, that can get your work out there quickly. These type of services typically don't offer you the professional insight in areas such as editorial, cover design, or even formatting, all of which are crucial create a good quality product. You should consider what your collection may need, and how you can get there within your budget. 

For a full breakdown of these challenges, and how you can overcome them successfully, check out our blog article here. 

How to Learn More 

If you're interested in self-publishing your collection, but want to learn more before you commit, then we can help you! We have a wealth of resources to help potential authors make informed decisions on their self-publishing journey. 

Our Blog

Hello there! If this is one of your first time visiting our blogs, you should know that we regularly post educational content about all things self-publishing. This is aimed to help people educate themselves about the industry. Whether you want to learn our industry experts' opinions on marketing, publicity, cover design, editorial, or simply an opinion piece, we cover it all on here! 

Our Events  

At Troubador, we are regularly hosting events to connect authors and potential authors with members of our team. We created The Self-Publishing Conference in 2013, the UK's leading self-publishing event for authors. We also regularly host Self-Publishing Experience Days, designed for potential authors, aimed to demystify the self-publishing process. Alongside these, we host frequent webinars, which is a great way of learning more about specific departments and what they can do for your books. 

Jericho Writers 

Jericho Writers also have a range of articles that can help support you with your poetry - whether it's for inspiration to help you write your poetry, or opinion pieces on other areas, such as poetry's place in the market. 

Our News 

The news section of our website is important for staying up to date on both Troubador's news, but also for information regarding the self-publishing industry in general. 

Our Knowledge Centre 

Our knowledge centre is a great place for potential authors to start. There's an array of free guides that you can download, to help better equip you for the self-publishing process. 

Our Success Stories 

The success stories section of our website is a great resource, showing people who have paved the way in self-publishing. We even have an article about five of our poets and their experience publishing with us. 

Chat To Our Customer Services Team 

Sometimes you can do all the research in the world, but you need the reassurance of talking to someone. That's where our Customer Services team comes in. If you've written a collection and you think Troubador might be the fit for you, we can talk to you, figure out your goals and whether Troubador is the right fit for you. 

Is it For You? 

Choosing to self-publish your poetry is an incredibly exciting decision, but one that should be made after you've done research on the process, what companies might be right for you, as well as considering what your goals would be for your poetry collection. 

Happy National Poetry Day!