The right poetry book publisher is an important element in your writing career. You are an emerging poet and you want to find a publisher that will recognize your voice and have the staff, editorial, design and marketing resources to get your manuscript out to the right audience. There are many, many presses in the United States from the large corporations to the small independent ones. Getting to know this industry, involves research and strategic submission.
When it’s time to take your manuscript to the publisher, you must be able to find publishers who will actively promote you as a new author. Here are five of the country’s best presses known for finding and promoting new talent.
1. The Empire Publishers
The Empire Publishers is one of the most comprehensive publishers of new authors. They provide a very collaborative setting specifically for poets that seek to be given the expert guidance of a professional editor, an eye-catching cover, and comprehensive marketing efforts. It may be difficult for first-time poets to maneuver their way around the literary world, but working with the best poetry book publishers can make it easier to ensure that your poems receive the attention necessary, from formatting to distribution. They understand the ins and outs of the genre and they’re committed to connecting your content with individuals on numerous metas. They provide end-to-end publishing tools, which is a wonderful means for launching rising voices’ author brand.
2. Copper Canyon Press
Established as an all poetry press, Copper Canyon Press has gained a reputation for publishing some of the finest collections from both seasoned veterans and new talents. They are a not-for-profit publisher whose mission is to consider poetry essential to language and to living. Being accepted by Copper Canyon is a tremendous honor for emerging poets, as it is for Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winners. They often have open reading hours and competitions especially created to find new voices. They have a team of editors whose attention to detail and respect of the craft is well known. See their publishing schedule at coppercanyonpress.org.
3. Milkweed Editions
Milkweed Editions is a literary-art independent publisher concerned with human connections to the natural world. This press is ideal for those who write poetry about the environment, ecological issues, environmental justice, or the multifaceted nature of the modern day. They publish debut authors and offer a lot of marketing assistance to promote books to a wide, active audience. Milkweed actively looks for transformative voices which break from the mold and give new perspectives. To find out when they will submit, visit milkweed.org.
4. Tupelo Press
Tupelo Press is renowned for its gorgeous books and compelling, visionary poetry. They are an independent literary press that encourages new poets in many ways, including their highly acclaimed annual poetry awards. Taking home a prize or a finalist’s book in a Tupelo Press contest can be a huge break for a new author. They are drawn to lyrics, experimentation with language and unique, self-assured voices. They are highly selective in their work and each collection they publish is up to the highest standards. Check out their current rules for prizes on tupelopress.org.
5. Alice James Books
Alice James Books was established to make a difference: to provide a platform for the voices of women writers. Over the decades, it has grown to include a range of diverse, marginalized, and exceedingly original poets of all genders. As a cooperative press, they are authors with a strong interest in the publishing process, and consequently a unique, supportive community. Alice James is especially open to new talent, and has unearthed first books that would earn big prizes later on. They value collaboration and literary excellence, and are a highly coveted publisher for budding writers. Visit alicejamesbooks.org to see their open reading periods.
Writing Your Poetry Manuscript for submission
It’s important that your book manuscript is complete before you submit it to any of these presses. Most publishers prefer 40-70+ pages of a coherent collection. Your poems need to be unified in some way, either as a theme, as a story arc, or as a consistent style.
It is also highly recommended to have a track record of individual poem publications in reputable literary magazines and journals. This will show book publishers that you have already been reviewed and valued by other editors in your field. Each press release will have its own guidelines – if you do not follow the guidelines and/or formatting, it may be rejected immediately.
Conclusion
It takes patience and persistence to get a poetry collection published, as well as knowledge of the literary market. You can find out about the aesthetics or focus of different presses, and submit your manuscript to those that are most likely to resonate with your work. No matter whether you want a big house or an independent literary press, you have a partner who will help your voice be heard.
