To Publish – A List Poem
Today over at dVerse Poets Pub Meeting at the Bar, Tony Maude challenges us to write a list poem. As I read his article and poetry examples, I decided to write a list about the things I still need to do to self-publish my poetry book. I accomplished a lot this summer towards my goal of publishing by year end, but loose ends remain. I think a to do list on paper, instead of just in my head, will be helpful.
To Publish
Talk to reviewers
“How’s it going? When do you think you’ll be done?”
Consider suggested edits, proofread and edit
Decide on Bible verses to include and where
And divisions, do where do I include divisions?
Promote the book on Facebook, blog, Twitter
Final formatting, styles, font, so many decisions
Edit the preface and acknowledgements
Finish the front matter
Tell everyone I know I’m publishing a book of poetry
Encourage Benton to finish the cover art
Love the concept sketch; can’t want to see his final draft
Create a final PDF
Proof one more time to make sure it’s right
Upload PDF to CreateSpace
and upload cover art to design cover
Publish
Pray (wait, this probably should be first on the list)
Start on the next manuscript
Share this:
So much to do! Glad you are on this journey , with God, and. no fear!
Debbie, Yes, the no fear part is awesome – a gift from God. Peace, Linda
here’s a list —
you write
you put the book together
you start marketing 🙂
hurricane and jordan
You make it sounds so easy. 😉
Very cool goal. It inspires me to try the same thing someday, though I’m not there quite yet. I hope it all comes together for you. God bless!
I’ve wanted to publish a book for a long time. I’m so excited to be so close to realizing my dream. You can do it, too. Peace, Linda
That is great that you had a goal and you are working to accomplish it. Is it all new material or posts from your blog, or both?
I started with poems from my blog, but then I’ve edited them to make them better and had several people review the manuscript and then am editing again.
Very cool! I’m sure it will all come together just right.
good luck with the publishing…best wishes :)…
Oh so cool, this! And you are right, “hope” is kind of the binding html tag here 😉
Hope is the theme of my poetry book, but you are right that it does fit this particular poem, too.
Yes, that is what it is like to publish. Glad to hear that you are making good headway on the process! And I too like the last line. Whenever you publish one book there is another ready on the sidelines.
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m very excited about the whole thing. Peace, Linda
Good luck…someday all of us want to write a publish a book, I’m sure..helpful list …glad it’s in the works for you!
Kathy, I’m sure I’ll be posting more here and on my Facebook page about the process and will pass on any helpful tips I learn along the way. Peace, Linda
The list sounds exhausting. I admire your perseverence. And yes…pray first. Best of luck!
Myrna, If it was all I had to do it would be a piece of cake, but I work full time and have a family, and other responsibilities. But with prayer first, it will all get done. Peace, Linda
Great response to this prompt Linda, so many lists to consider in publishing. Hope it is a success, and I do like the final statement, begin the next one. Well done.
Thanks. Creating the list actually made me realize there is less left to do than I thought! Peace, Linda
This is a familiar and scary list! love it that you’re gutsy enough to share. Good luck on your book:)
Kenneth, This is the year God showed me that I need not fear anything. Courage is a gift from God; fear is a lie of the devil. 🙂 So my motto: No Fear! Peace, Linda
best wishes with the publishing…esp self publishing you have to work to get it out there as well once you get it done…
Brian, I’m already working on that, which is why publicizing on Facebook, etc. and telling everyone I know aren’t at the very end of the list. 🙂 Peace, Linda
good luck with self publishing – it is a complicated business and lists are essential.
Thanks. I am actually a publications director in my day job, so at least I know a little about the process, but we don’t publish poetry. 🙂 I’m just thankful for CreateSpace that makes publishing a book of poetry much more possible. Peace, Linda
that’s really fascinating – I’ve been thinking about self publishing an e-book of my haiku and haibun but I haven’t really investigated programs that might help me. I must check out CreateSpace
CreateSpace is for publishing a paperback book. To do an ebook you would use Amazon Kindle Direct. We’ve done that with some of our books at work and I think it’s more complicated. Besides, I want to see my book in print. 🙂
Thanks for that information – it’s much appreciated.
Good luck publishing… love the sense of repeat in the last line.
Thanks. I’ve actually already started on manuscript no. 2, while I was impatiently waiting for my reviewers to get back to me. 🙂 But I’m pretty sure one book isn’t going to be enough. Peace, Linda
It’s a long road … but I’m sure it’ll be worth the effort. All the best in your endeavours, Linda.
Tony, It has been. I initially intended to publish last year, but that just didn’t happen. I’m close, though, very close. Peace, Linda