Why Publishing Poetry Books Is Harder Than Other Genres—But No Less Worth It
Poetry is not unmarketable. It’s undervalued by an industry that doesn’t know how to nurture it. Despite being one of the oldest literary forms, poetry is still treated like an afterthought in the publishing world. Ask any poet who’s tried to pitch a manuscript. The doors don’t just swing open. They creak—or stay shut. Not because poetry lacks merit, but because it doesn’t fit neatly into the industry's metrics for commercial success.
Poetry is seen as niche. It’s considered too abstract, too personal, too quiet to “move units.” But that’s not the truth—it’s just the market. And the market has never known what to do with vulnerability, lyricism, or rage that doesn’t follow a traditional arc. In a time of book bans, social unrest, and collective grief, poetry is more necessary than ever. The problem isn’t the audience. It’s the infrastructure.
The truth is, poetry books don’t typically sell in large quantities. Unlike fiction or memoir, they’re rarely optioned for film, picked for BookTok, or selected by celebrity book clubs. This low return on investment makes publishers hesitant, especially if you’re a debut poet without a massive platform.
Though poetry is considered the "purest" form of writing in academic spaces, in the commercial market, it’s treated like a vanity project unless you're already well-known. Big publishers have limited slots for poetry each year, and those often go to award-winners or MFA darlings. Most literary agents won’t even represent poetry. That means you’re left with contests, university presses, or small indie publishers—most of which are overwhelmed with submissions and underfunded. Many of these opportunities also come with reading or submission fees, which create access barriers.
You see, there’s a pipeline: MFA → publications → prize → press. If you’re outside of it, the road gets steeper. Traditional poetry often privileges Eurocentric forms and themes, while spoken word, hybrid, bilingual, and culturally specific works are considered too “niche” to invest in.
The myth that “no one reads poetry” persists under these notions because publishers rarely market it creatively. In reality, poetry thrives in digital and grassroots communities, especially among BIPOC readers, queer audiences, and youth. The appetite is there. The outreach isn’t. Poetry lives on Instagram, in zines, on stages, in reels—and publishers often don’t see these platforms as legitimate literary spaces. Performative poetry is often dismissed as “Instapoetry,” even when it has a massive and loyal audience.
Mainstream publishing has very few editors specializing in poetry. Most presses offer little to no marketing budget. Distribution is limited, especially for indie presses. And without a plan to get your book into schools, bookstores, or communities, it’s easy for a collection to disappear. What is considered “literary” is deeply influenced by power structures. Poetry that aligns with white, male, academic norms gets elevated. Poetry from the margins gets called “too emotional” or “not universal enough.”
And still—we write.
Despite the gatekeeping. Despite the silence. Despite the submission fees and the form rejections and the algorithms that pretend not to see us. Because poetry isn’t about sales. It’s about survival. It’s about making meaning when the world doesn’t offer any. It’s about saying the thing, even when there’s no guarantee someone will hear it. Or publish it. Or pay you for it.
Poetry is still worth publishing because it will always be worth reading. (If you’re interested in reading some of the poetry greats, check out our blog 120 Years of Poetry: The Most Influential Black Women Poets from Then to Now.)
Even if publishers don’t know how to market it. Even if agents say no. Even if the bookstores don’t stock it or the sales are slow or the reviews never come. Poetry builds something deeper than numbers. It builds resonance. Connection. Legacy.
It lives in people’s notebooks, in their phones, in the lines they whisper to themselves when they’re trying to survive something unspeakable. It travels across classrooms, timelines, borders. And while it may not go viral like a thriller or land a Netflix deal like a memoir, poetry endures. It sinks in. That’s the quiet brilliance of it.
Because here’s what they don’t always tell you: poetry may not make you rich, but it can make you heard. It can build community. It can open doors—not just in the industry, but in people’s hearts. A good poem stays. A good poem circles back to you years later, quoted in a wedding toast, etched in a protest sign, posted on a mirror.
Publishing poetry isn’t easy. But it’s possible. (Learn more about how to publish a poetry book.) And more importantly, it’s necessary. It’s necessary because readers still crave it. Young people are turning to poetry for healing. Educators are using it to spark conversation. Activists are using it to call truth to power. Poetry speaks to the emotional intelligence of a generation trying to navigate grief, identity, injustice, and joy all at once.
It’s necessary because so much of our world is loud and fast and numbing—and poetry asks us to pause. To feel. To witness. To remember. And it’s necessary because the literary canon still needs rewriting. Because too many poets from the margins are still being told their voices don’t belong on the shelf. Publishing your poetry, whether traditionally or independently, is an act of reclamation. You are taking space in a system that has long told us we are too soft, too angry, too specific, too much.
So yes, publishing poetry may be harder than publishing other genres. The pathways may be narrower. The paychecks may be smaller. But the impact? It’s immeasurable. And with the right knowledge, tools, and strategy, it’s more than possible—it’s powerful. Whether you’re submitting to a prize, querying a press, or publishing it yourself, know this: your poetry matters. Your story matters. The world needs what only you can say.
Poetry is not the margin. It’s the marrow. And publishing it is how we keep it alive.
If you’re a poet considering publishing your first collection—or your next—Our Galaxy Publishing is here to help you navigate the path that’s right for you. Whether you want to explore traditional publishing routes, learn how to self-publish with confidence, or simply get clarity on your options, we offer personalized support rooted in experience, strategy, and care. We work closely with writers from the margins to turn powerful stories into tangible, beautiful books—without sacrificing voice, values, or creative control. Let us help you take the next step toward getting your words into the world, where they belong.
We also believe that poetry is—and always has been—a political act. It holds memory, challenges systems, and gives voice to what society often tries to erase. That’s why our commitment to poetry goes beyond publishing. In our recent blog, The Politics of Poetry: Why the Margins Have Always Been the Center, we explore the historical and cultural significance of poetry as protest and power. And through our “Poetry Is Political” tote, we’re raising funds for the Center for Reproductive Rights—because poetry doesn’t just speak truth, it moves with it.
Let us help you bring your words into the world, where they can be seen, heard, and felt.
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.