So what are the rules to follow when working with poetry book publishers? Well, veterans will tell you there's no set rule for this process, but that it is a journey that requires reason and intelligence from beginning to end. Because it's generally pretty hard to make a buck in poetry, it's important to know about the various options authors have, and how they work.

The web can be a good resource for learning how to work with a variety of poetry publishers. The Internet is filled with advice from seasoned writers, and a lot of the intricate details involved in different publishing schemes are also laid out digitally on the web. Authors can explore:

1. Print on demand options, where a book is held until demanded by buyers, then printed in the appropriate quantities by poem book publishers.

2. Mainstream agreements with poem publishers, including some that are traditionally merit-based, and others that are "vanity press" arrangements.

3. Publishing in university or literary presses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with print on demand poetry book publishers to get poetry published

One way authors can work to get a book done is with Print On Demand (also called POD). When a print on demand poetry book publisher acquires a contract, the agreement indicates how a print-as-needed approach will minimize financial liability and avoid the issue of having a basement filled with stacks of unsold books.

I recommend: Find out about print on demand options from BookSurge, an industry leader, at their website. Or, turn to resources like Writer's Weekly, an independent author's site, to learn just why BookSurge is taking so much of a market share, and to find additional resources, links and tips for exploring print on demand options for poetry, fiction or nonfiction.

Find more on working with poetry book publishers

There are a lot of 'regular' poetry book publishing options out there, but there's a lot of difference between them. Using links like the following can inform authors on the pitfalls of arranging publication with a 'vanity press,' where the publishing house accepts payment in return for getting a poem on a printed page.

I recommend: For a warning on vanity presses, and other resources for authors, check out PoeWar, a site for poetry and fiction writers. Writers can use options like the directory site at Author House to find a selection of publishers for poetry, and then proceed with due diligence to find out which ones are legitimate.

Look for more from directories of literary and independent presses and poetry book publishers

Some other smaller presses will accept books of poetry. Check out links like those featured below to find a poetry publishing house you feel you can do business with to get a book out to the world.

I recommend: Find lists of university and literary poetry presses at Slipstream. For more information from the street, look to forum sites like YahooGroups for help on poetry publishing companies to do business with or those to avoid.

If your recent focus has been on finding a poetry book publisher that will publish your work, there are a few tips that could help you. Since the poetry industry is much smaller than the more general prose market, it will take a lot of research and persistence to publish your poetry. However, it is possible.

Prior to sending the product of your hard work out to just any poetry publishing house, you need to be aware of a few facts. Before submitting your poetry to anyone, you should:

1. Read the company's published works first to make sure that you are sending it to the right kind of publishing house.

2. Follow the guidelines stated on the publishing company's website to ensure that your poetry does not get ignored or thrown away.

3. Think about sending your works to non-traditional poetry publishing companies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read posted guidelines on the poetry publishing house website

To avoid having your hard work tossed into the 'slush' pile along with other works that never get read, follow the rules. If the company website says to double-space all entries, or have a coversheet for each poem, do it. It is usually the publisher's first test, and it is easy to pass.

I recommend: Rosebud posts their guidelines very clearly on their submissions page, as does Manic D Press.

Make sure that the poetry book publishing companies you contact accept unsolicited submissions

It is always disappointing when you prepare and send your poetry to a publishing house only to be met with an e-mail rejecting your work without anyone even reading it. Even worse, you could be eagerly awaiting a response that never comes because your submission was simply deleted. Save yourself some trouble by reading the website's policy on unsolicited poetry submissions.

I recommend: Many larger publishing companies like Houghton Mifflin do not accept unsolicited work, but smaller poetry book publishers like City Lights Books accept poetry proposals. Oberlin College Press allows unsolicited submissions, but only by mail.

Send submissions to poem publishing companies that publish through unique media

While it may be your ultimate goal to get your poetry into a hardcover book, you might have a better chance at getting your first poems published online or in a poetry magazine. However, do not give up your dream of impressing poem book publishers, as this just may be your first step towards that goal.

I recommend: Poetry Magazine accepts work submitted online, and is a great resource for newer poets. Blackbird is an online journal that encourages poetry submissions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before getting published at major poetry publishing companies, you often are required to have been published before. In order to get the ball rolling, submit your poetry to local and online magazines and journals, as they are much more likely to publish first-time authors.

Publishing poetry is no easy task in a market where audiovisuals have replaced a good portion of the print media industry, and writers wanting to get noticed and set up first-time book options often have a hard time getting the ear of an agent or a publisher. But the poetry writing community has its own network of informative sources that help to get writers and publishers connected, and serve as meeting points for professional research and inquiry.

Writers who want to find some of these common resources for poetry book publishers news and trends can take advantage of a web presence that makes finding these guides and publications easier. By reading up on the web and in print, a poetry writer may get much closer to a realistic business plan about how to break into a market or conduct a print media campaign for poetic purposes. Readers can find:

1. Industry publications that cover a wide range of writer's issues and can also help writers to find legitimate poem book publishers.

2. Desk reference handbooks for writers that are often considered some of the basic tools of the trade.

3. More from public info sites on what's happening with poetry book publishing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find standard industry publications online for poetry book publisher news

There are a few print magazines that really provide the foundation for both the poetry and the prose fiction business. For professionals who want to be included in the 'inside' of the writing business, and get timely info on poetry book publishing companies and more, these are premier options, often found in the news racks of city bookstores.

I recommend: Look through the site at Poets and Writers magazine to get a look at how this publication informs the poetry business, including hooking up writers with poem publishers. For more on general industry trends, check out The Writer online.

Look for poetry book publisher news from reference materials

There are also a couple of annually printed reference books that provide yearly details on trends within the 'society' of poetry book publisher companies. Take a look at the online presence of these books to see about their role in the publishing world--then make the decision to buy or to browse from a book seller's rack.

I recommend: The Writer's Handbook, a common desk reference for poetry writers, includes info on its website, including news on editors and publishers. Get more from the 2009 Writer's Market edition.

Locate more on poetry book publisher companies from public info pages

There are a lot more resources for finding out about poetry publishers online, from specific poet's corner type sites, to directory sites that include very detailed lists of everything having to do with the latest phenomena in poetry book publishers.

I recommend: Find trends on today's poetry publishing processes at the Poetry Portal, a neat source of both industry news and the alliteration found early on in this sentence. Or, for an exhaustive list of links to further resources, check out sites like Toppest, where poetry book publishing sources are gathered neatly for a writer's inspection.

Poetry book publishing today involves a wide variety of formats and options. If you are a publisher or hoping to work with a publisher on a poetry book, you have many decisions to make. Learning and understanding poetry book publishers key terms helps you to hone in on the options that best interest you. Mastering poetry book publishers key terms lets you speak far more knowledgeably about poetry book publishing, as well.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Self-published poetry books

Self-published poetry books, as the name suggests, are books which have been created and published by the author. This means that the poet has absorbed the printing, typesetting, marketing and other related costs of publishing the book, as well as all the risks of the venture. Some poetry book 'publishers' are really self-publishing services, accepting money in exchange for printing, typesetting and related costs.

I recommend: Empty Mirror Books & Contributors has a detailed explanation of what self-publishing poetry books involves.

Chapbooks

Chapbooks are small poetry books of between 4 and 40 pages, although most chapbooks are about 30 pages long. Usually, chapbooks are stapled together and have a card stock cover. Although not usually stocked in bookstores, chapbooks are eligible for poetry book contests and for sale. They are very inexpensive for poetry book publishers to produce.

I recommend: Jett W. Whitehead - Rare Books has a comprehensive definition of chapbooks.

Online poetry chapbooks

Online poetry chapbooks, also called e-chapbooks, as their name suggests, are books of poetry that are made available as an online download. These books often are easy to access and inexpensive to create, making them popular. Some online poetry chapbooks are free and some are by paid download only.

I recommend: Wordrunner Press offers an explanation of online poetry chapbooks and a link to examples of e-chapbooks.

Poetry anthologies

Poetry anthologies are books of poetry by several authors. Since most authors purchase the anthology in which their work appears, many poetry book publishers like the economic benefits of publishing anthologies. Many anthologies are written around a theme.

I recommend: Kelli McBride offers a comprehensive definition of the poetry anthology.

National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is a month-long celebration of poetry held every April. Poetry book publishers plan many of their marketing events for this month, because many bookstores give poetry readings this month, schools teach poetry and poetry-related events are held around the country.

I recommend: WiseGEEK has a comprehensive explanation of National Poetry Month.

Poetry broadsides

Poetry broadsides are small publications or pamphlets of one or two poems. The poems are printed on paper or card stock and the paper is folded or kept flat. Some broadsides include designs and illustrations as well.

I recommend: JMU Libraries offers a detailed explanation of poetry broadsides.