[Mxaza]

I have a growing number of poems I have written.
And I feel I can present to the world a pretty good compilation.

Can someone help me as to how to go about the process of putting one together?

[Clough]

Hi, Mxaza!

As far as compiling them, you could arrange them according to similar themes and/or poetic styles in which they're written. If you want to publish it on a large scale in a book that you would like to sell, I would recommend getting an agent who would then present your book, in a professional way, to publishers. Publishers won't be as likely to even look at your work unless you are represented by an agent because they get so many works submitted to them.

If you would like to self-publish, then you might want to have a look at what can be done by using Lulu and CreateSpace. It's my understanding that they will also have some resources for you concerning marketing and other things.

I wish you the best!

Thanks!

[Mxaza]

Thanks Clough

[Clough]

You're welcome! At least it's a start! I would love to see some of your poetry!

Have you ever written lyrics to a song?

Thanks!

[kamarupa]

First off, compilation implies 'multiple sources.' If you have written all the poems yourself, it is not a compilation, it's a "manuscript." But you're way ahead of yourself. Back up.

Well before you go for a full length book, see if you can get just one or two poems published in a *reputable* literary magazine. Clough is incorrect in regards to agents. Agents work for money and, frankly, there isn't any money in poetry. For example, a best seller in fiction must sell 100,000+ copies, whereas in poetry, a best seller needs to sell only 10,000+ copies. All you need to publish a poem is a good poem and a list of editors to send it to. I suggest "Poet's Market" for that - it's updated every year and contains all the information you need to get started.

Bare in mind, even if you're a top notch poet, the competition is fierce. Any good lit mag will receive thousands of submissions a year. A big part of being a poet is getting rejected way more than you are published.

Once you have published quite a few poems in literary magazines, you can submit those poems and a few more as a complete manuscript to a contest. If you win, they publish your manuscript as a book and give you a little money.

Or you could fork out bunches of cash at any printer and make vanity prints. They're overpriced and rarely worth it, but it's an option.