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Post by pegesus on Aug 25, 2007 11:35:40 GMT -6
i have a dilemma and i need advice on how to resolve it. i love to write and share my poetry, and thats with everyone all over the world, but i have published two books so far that are not going anywhere, why, because i have been posting all my poems as i write them, i want to share my words, but in doing so no one buys my books, why should they when they can read them on the internet. how do i stop myself from sharing my words?  Help.....i could really use some. peg |
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Post by DavidMc on Aug 25, 2007 12:40:56 GMT -6
This is an interesting question Peg... As a starting point it might be of value to read the thread below which was started by John Yamrus last year. Speaking personally; I would still buy a book of poems even if they had previously been posted online, because a book provides a unique complimentary experience... a book is something tactile... something to be re-read and treasured. zephyl.proboards86.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1158849913Regards, David |
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Post by pegesus on Aug 25, 2007 17:43:42 GMT -6
thanks david, got a lot of homework to do tonight.
peg
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Post by Sam on Aug 27, 2007 9:15:45 GMT -6
I agree with David. It is good to get your name and your work out to the world! The more the better. Set up readings in bookstores and coffee shops, etc.... Books are to be treasured forever!!!! Give yourself time!!! Stay positive!! Sam  |
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Post by anirbas on Aug 27, 2007 17:39:41 GMT -6
Mary Etta,
It's not the sharing of your work on the internet that is keeping your books from "selling", imho. Writing prose or poetry, sharing works on internet forums, such as this one; or, going through the motions of publishment, are simply the first three and the easiest steps of writing in either form. Poetry is a literary artform that readers either love or hate, and has a far smaller group of "fans" than, prose.
In order for books to "sell", it requires that the writer either hire an agent [tres expensive...LOL] or to become one's own agent and push the sell of their book, or books. One can try the on-line selling approach; the aggressive dunning of one's friends, family and associates to buy one's works, until they cave in and buy them, just to shut you up; or to further push one's literary babies into the limelight of noticement, one can read one's works in libraries, coffee shops, poetry "bars" and such, in an effort to gain a following and garner a larger audience.
Once more, imho, it's not the amount of sales of one's work, that mark a person a good to excellent poet or writer. It's the works, themselves. We have several poets on this forum that have published their works and I do believe all would agree, writing is the easiest part of being drawn to write anything, poetry or prose, in any genre.
Agree with David, that books are treasured, irregardless of having read the pieces on-line; and agree with Sam, stay positive!
Myself, I am at this moment compiling several poems to be put in chapbook form at some date--but--I'm unsure if I shall bother with selling the books...I am considering simply giving them away, or leaving them surreptiously, all about town, in libraries and coffeshops...LOL...
I know there are several of you here, whom I would love to have the works of on my bookshelves, but, simply cannot afford the extra expense at this moment in time. I'm not sure my daughter would think books of poems for breakfast, lunch or dinner is such a great meal...LOL...
Take care, sweets and always, no matter what you do, write on! Sabrina.
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Post by johnyamrus on Sept 13, 2007 8:35:43 GMT -6
Mary;
Sabrina has given sane and sound advice. also, making any kind of money at poetry is a tough, time consuming endeavor. most people hardly ever make anything more than lunch money from poetry. if you want to make money from your writing, prose is much easier to sell. everybody and his brother consider themselves to be poets. the marketplace is beyond saturated and because of that...because of the over-abundance of "product"... the publishers pretty much call the shots. what i'd suggest is try doing prose pieces for magazines. that's a sure-fire way to build up some contacts and then (once you've built up a portfolio of sorts) move on toward securing an agent for longer form prose.
if you're still pinning your hopes on making anything more than lunch money from poetry, then you've got to become a hustler like me and i guarantee you that in many circles that will get you rather disliked by the artistes and purists.
take care...
john
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Post by anirbas on Sept 13, 2007 17:57:27 GMT -6
I, Sabrina, has given sane and sound advice? ggglgggl...thanks, John...for considering me sane and sound, in any given way! I also agree with John, Mary, that often one must make a name, first selling prose, before being able to make any money from their poems. Maya Angelou wrote poems that never sold until her prose did, for instance...anyways, long day, folks and I wish I wasn't so tired...would love to catch up reading all of you but, I've got a major headache and can barely see the computer screen...ya'll take care, always write on and never stop dreaming...as who knows what the future holds for any of us?
love ya'll, Sabrina
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Post by asheera on Sept 22, 2007 2:09:26 GMT -6
pegesus
asheera poeming wasn't saved
poeming was like sandpainting
only the float
;D
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Post by johnyamrus on Sept 24, 2007 6:13:24 GMT -6
"poeming"?
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Post by anirbas on Sept 24, 2007 22:55:44 GMT -6
pegesus asheera poeming wasn't saved poeming was like sandpainting only the float ;D Ah, Ash...Loverly way to put it...Poeming compared to a sandpainting...The beauty of it, in the doing of it...Not, how long it lasts...Love the way your mind thinks... I just do...  |
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Help.....i could really use some.
