Organizing My Poetry Book

After teaching poetry writing to second graders while substitute teaching the other day, I’m more enthusiastic to get my poetry book organized and my workshops underway. 

Poetry book image: sxc.hu

However, for them to be more than dreams, I need to start organizing and then putting that into action.

So….where do I start?

• I did get out my folder of poetry written over the years, some of which has been published in magazines, newspapers and anthologies.  (I’ve retained copyright so that I can include any and all of the poetry into an anthology.)
• Read over the poetry
• Decide which needs editing and which can stand as is
• Make copies of any that need editing and make the corrections
• Look for pictures to accompany the poems because some are about scenes and incidents in my life.
• Make sketches to accompany some of the poems
• Decide on a picture or illustration for the cover
• Check out how it will be published…on our facilities or at the local printer that did my children’s anthology.
• Estimate costs.
• Decide upon a final title
• Decide upon a promotional program
• Start marketing the book, along with poetry workshops.
• Publish the book!

Now that I’ve set up a plan of action, I need to get into action.

How did you organize your book publishing?