How to Publish a Poetry Book: What Every Poet Needs to Know
Publishing poetry looks different than publishing any other genre. It comes with its own set of challenges, traditions, and expectations. And while the path may be narrower, it’s absolutely navigable with the right knowledge, persistence, and strategy. Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional book deal or considering self-publishing your own chapbook or full-length collection, the first step is understanding the landscape.
Poetry isn’t widely prioritized in today’s commercial literary market (Read Why Publishing Poetry Is Harder Than Other Genres—But No Less Worth It to learn more). It’s often treated as niche, difficult to sell, or too abstract to be “profitable.” But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth publishing, or that the version of success you want is unreachable. It just means poets must be strategic and intentional about how to get their work into the world.
Traditional Publishing: With or Without a Literary Agent
Traditional publishing refers to working with an established publishing house—either large or small—that handles your book’s production, editing, distribution, and often some marketing. Most large, well-known publishers do not accept manuscripts from authors directly. They require you to have a literary agent.
A literary agent is your representative in the publishing world. They pitch your work to editors, negotiate your contracts, and advocate for you at every stage. For poets, however, this path can be tricky. Many agents don’t take on poetry unless you’re already an award-winning poet, have an MFA, or bring in a strong platform or hybrid work (e.g., memoir-in-verse or poetry with essays).
If you want to query agents, you’ll need a solid literary resume. This could include:
Publishing individual poems in literary journals (online or print)
Winning or placing in reputable poetry contests
Building visibility through performances, readings, and social media
Crafting a complete, cohesive manuscript (usually 45–80 pages)
However, it is possible to traditionally publish poetry without a literary agent. You can submit directly to independent presses, university presses, or poetry-focused small publishers. These presses often accept unagented manuscripts via:
Annual contests (e.g., National Poetry Series, Walt Whitman Award)
Open reading periods (often listed on their websites or on sites like Submittable)
Some presses require entry fees; others don’t. If you win a contest, you may receive a publication contract and a modest cash prize. While these presses may offer smaller advances (or none at all), they often come with editorial support, a built-in literary community, and the credibility that comes with being a published poet.
Keep in mind: even traditionally published poets are usually responsible for their own promotion—book launches, social media content, public readings, etc. Marketing budgets for poetry are often minimal, even from well-known presses. But being published by a reputable press can still open doors to grants, residencies, teaching opportunities, and a lifelong career in literature.
And remember, you should never pay out of pocket for traditional publishing. If a publisher tells you you must pay a fee to publish with them (unless it’s a contest/submission fee), it’s most likely a vanity press. In that case, RUN. Or, reach out to us for guidance!
Self-Publishing: Creative Control, Community, and Independence
Self-publishing is exactly what it sounds like. You take full control over publishing your book, from editing and design to printing and distribution. It’s ideal for poets who want creative freedom, faster timelines, or the ability to build their own audience without gatekeepers.
Unlike traditional publishing, self-publishing doesn’t require approval from agents or presses. You decide when and how to publish, how your book looks, what price it’s sold at, and where it’s distributed. But that freedom comes with responsibility—you’ll also need to manage every step of the process.
Here’s what that looks like:
Finalize your manuscript: Your poems should be carefully arranged to tell a cohesive story or explore a common theme. We strongly recommend working with an editor who understands poetry to help you revise for tone, structure, clarity, and emotional resonance.
Design the interior: Poetry is visual—line breaks, white space, and rhythm matter. Hire someone (or use design software like Vellum or Reedsy) who knows how to format poetry correctly.
Create a striking cover: Your cover is the first thing people see. Make sure it reflects the tone and themes of your work, and that it stands out both on bookshelves and in digital marketplaces.
Choose a publishing platform: We recommend authors choose IngramSpark for wide bookstore/library distribution, or even their own websites for direct sales.
Plan your marketing strategy: Even the best book won’t sell without visibility. Self-published poets often build buzz through:
Launch events (virtual or local)
Instagram or TikTok content
Email newsletters
Book clubs, readings, and poetry slams
Collaborations with artists, bookstores, or local libraries
The payoff? You retain full creative control, receive higher royalties per sale, and publish on your own timeline.
Need Help Navigating Your Publishing Path?
There is no singular way to go about publishing a book of any genre, including poetry. You might want the prestige and mentorship that comes with traditional publishing—or the creative autonomy and flexibility of doing it yourself. Some poets start with chapbooks. Some go digital first. Some do both. And some publish with tiny indie presses that become lifelong homes for their work.
What matters most is that your voice gets heard (Read The Politics of Poetry: Why the Margins Have Always Been the Center to learn more about how poetry has long been a tool for resistance, survival, and truth-telling, especially for those pushed to the margins).
If you’re a poet with a manuscript—or even just the dream of one—but you’re unsure how to move forward, we get it. The publishing world can feel overwhelming and opaque, especially for poets and especially for those of us writing from the margins. That’s why we’re here.
At Our Galaxy, we offer personalized guidance to help you:
Clarify your goals and timeline
Understand the difference between traditional and self-publishing
Build a strategy for querying or submitting to contests
Learn how to publish your book independently (without sacrificing quality)
Demystify the editing, design, production, and marketing process
Get editing, design, and marketing services to reach your goals
We don’t believe in gatekeeping—we believe in access, education, and informed decision-making.
As poet Ryn shared after a consultation:
“I loved getting all the information that was provided by Christine. She was very helpful and helped me think through the ways of publishing. Also prepped me for things that may come when it comes to looking for a traditional publisher. The good vibes were important to me. She made me feel heard, welcomed, and at ease. I look forward to working more with Christine!”
So if you’re standing at the edge of possibility, know that while publishing poetry might be a less-traveled road, it’s not a dead end. With the right support, it can be a path to power, connection, and legacy. We encourage you to get your words into the world where they belong.
Our Galaxy Publishing is an educational and service-based platform that helps writers navigate the publishing industry with clarity, confidence, and creative control. Whether you’re self-publishing, seeking a literary agent, or still figuring out W T F you’re doing, we provide the tools, resources, and support to make your writing and publishing journey intentional, strategic, and powerful.