posted July 30, 2003 07:04 PM         

Thanks in advance,

Daf

posted August 06, 2003 05:47 PM         

For some reason I only just noticed this.

You ask interesting questions because my daughter and her friend have been writing poetry with the hope of one day putting their material together for a book, and are talking about these same things.

I'm certainly no expert and don't know if this will help, but perhaps the answers to your questions may be relative to the format(s) you have in mind? I.E. : Will these be a general combination of various subject poems, or specific in nature such as Life, Humor, Romance, Death, Metaphysics, etc. ...or one big book with chapters for different subjects? Also...would the book be illustrated with relevant drawings/pictures to the subject?

I think you know where I'm going with this; obviously one large poetry book comprised of many chapters that includes here and there a beautiful scene/drawing to enhance the feel of a poem, which is also hardcover, would command a considerably higher price than say, a small softcover with poems of one subject and no illustrations. JMHO.

Another thought: Are you planning to self-publish? If so, the expense I imagine would need consideration regarding format details, and the asking price would have to be enough for some margin of profit (forgive my presumptions, lol).

For what my opinion as a consumer is worth, I would and have paid anywhere from $5.00 to $25.00 or more for a good book of poetry, depending on all the above factors.

Maybe the best suggestion I could make would be to visit a local bookstore and do some browsing in the Literature section. That may help you more than anything I've said here, lol.

Whatever you decide, I think it's terrific that you're planning on a book, and I wish you the best of luck!

posted August 30, 2003 08:53 AM         

Congratulations on being a poet, it is the most beautiful and difficult art known too master in its true form, when it is beautiful it is beautiful and the words read like music.

I like what Aphrodite said, Twinlady & Silverbells about pictures.

I wish you could give us taste of things to come by posting a poem here however this probably goes against pre-publication rules.

Will you be self-publishing, I would have thought a publishing house could give you some kind of guidelines on this subject although they are usually really stingey.

I truly wish you the very best of luck and I wish I could offer you some better advice!

Love and Luck, Haley Baby Blu.

posted August 30, 2003 12:12 PM         

amomentspass.tk

silverbells - I'm thinking along the lines of 66 poems, 7 chapters and $20 for a signed hardcover with minimal, but effectively placed illustrations. The book will be travel-sized, approximately 4" X 5.5" with not-so-small type so that folks can read it without straining their eyes. I wanted a size that folks would never feel was too much trouble to take with them on a trip, but something that was durable enough to be a keepsake and large enough to be legible.

albescence - If our gracious moderators wouldn't mind, I would be more than happy to bump some of my stuff to the top so that you can find it more easily.

I'll do two and see if they grumble.