Publishing a manuscript! Part 2!
Hello poets. Last week, we discussed self-publishing, Lulu, KDP, and my firstborn, Sex Is From Mars But I Love You From Venus. This week in part 2, we’ll get into traditional publishing.
When it comes to traditional publishing your manuscript, you’ve got options—querying an agent, submitting to publishing houses in their open reading periods, and submitting to contests.
First, I highly recommend subscribing to Sub Club to find these options and opportunities. If you subscribe from this link, you’ll get 10% off the annual subscription! (*The discount is only for the annual subscription.) They post all kinds of goodies, one recent treat being “9 Literary Agents Seeking Poetry.”
Which brings us to the most daunting option: getting an agent. I have not (yet) attempted this, but I’ve looked into it, and it seems like the bottom line is to do your research and follow each agent’s guidelines when writing query letters. Some will ask for 10 pages and others will ask for 0. Some want the full marketing pitch, and others a quick synopsis of your project and bio. I agree with literary agent CeCe; querying can feel like dating. Be brave. Don’t be afraid to get your heart broken.
Then we’ve got open reading periods and contests. I’m sure you already have a free account on Chill Subs? If you don’t, go get one. It’s so easy to use so you can find lit mags, presses, and contests. And look how pretty it is!
As I mentioned last week, my full-length collection, Good Girl and Other Yearnings, is a finalist in the Jack McCarthy Book Prize Contest from Write Bloody Publishing. I came across this contest on Instagram and immediately knew I wanted to submit (they’ve published Andrea Gibson! and Anis Mojgani! and Franny Choi! I am star struck!). Wish me luck/send me good vibes.
I also have another manuscript floating around book-purgatory, resting in the laps of beta readers, waiting on me to make a move (agent? self-publishing? open reading period?). Timing has never been my strong suit. We’ll wait to see what happens with Good Girl in July. I never know when but I know my why and I’ve got the what, so, I’m ready for anything.
Have you ventured into traditional publishing or self-publishing? Share your experience in the comments below. More questions about my experiences? Ask em in the comments below :)