This is so relevant to me. I put out my very small poetry book a bit over a month ago, and I’ve done next to nothing for all the reasons you share here. Poet habits vs. promotional habits? Yes. Overly self-conscious about poet peers? Hell, even that I qualify as peer? Yes.
One thing I learned, but have not yet put into action, is the *narrative* around my book. Not just that I have one available, but what it is, how it came to be as a small collection, how it transformed things, what it has to say. And there is such a narrative that I have not expressed at all! And, wonderfully, I realized this by observing a similar peer just this week unveiling her narrative about her self-released book.
So I am thinking on ways to get that narrative out there. I think I have something unique to say, though I let my excuses get in the way that I’m not among the real poets. Well, why the hell not, already?!
Oh, my goodness. I am now going to check your Substack repeatedly for a post about the book's origins.
I am so grateful you shared this with me, because it makes me feel better about my own doubts. I also didn't have a narrative about writing the book, until my editor was like, um, this is kind of an important thing. And I thought, oh, that makes sense, I guess. But my point is that it doesn't naturally occur to me either. But it also doesn't occur to me to eat huge portions of dark leafy greens instead of pizza, so I don't think operating merely on what we feel like is always the best practice, LOL.
This made me think … My mentality for years now in sharing my poems has been about the poem. Each one, its individual self. Once shared, I hope people get something from it.
But that mentality hasn’t been about the poet. Or even the collected mass of those poems. It’s not a promotional thing about me. It’s a borderline panhandling of please like this precious thing.
But I observe others, you included, who have managed to present the poet and the larger thread. And I think it’s successful, by comparison.
So, to a relative rookie and unknown, I think that bigger message (dare we say sell?!) mentality is foreign.
But my one poem at a time approach is a bit like trying to build a house with one brick and wondering why it’s not working well.
No spectacular answers. But maturing thoughts.
(In fairness, it’s not like I say nothing about me the poet in my after-poem comments and micro essays, it’s just that I don’t do so very consciously.)
I've done 2 sleder chapbooks in the states. Had a commercial printer run them . I had cartons of boxes with no way to transact or fulfill. Authors were expected to sell at their readings, which I had no opportunity for. So I did a full length one with a press ín Northern Ireland. Took a year to get it through production. The publisher and I had runs of bad luck and his legacy platform crashed so he started over with Amazon. So I have my social media marketing driver and he has his transaction and fulfillment mechanism. So much easier. I don't want to talk about it. I have a better idea. I have the means of posting poems from every stage of my long career. They can do the talking. I've already posted sev
One thing that I have done differently with my latest collection is just ask and tell myself that the worst that could happen is a no. I have more events for this book so far than I've ever had, because I've asked. Asked about that reading series, that interview series, that podcast, and then tried to balance posting about the work of others with promotion of my own. Since I have started running my own reading . series and editing a journal, I know how many of us are vying for spaces, so I don't take anything personally. How does that translate to sales? Not sure, but it means that my work reaches more people.
Donna, I LOVE this. Ultimately, sales are irrelevant--you didn't set out to strictly boost sales, it sounds like, but to connect with more strangers, to share your work widely, and it sounds like you've done this beautifully. I love "I have more events for this book so far than I've ever had, because I've asked." It's sometimes that simple. And the worst that can happen is a "no" is incredibly important. That no produces a FEELING, and feeling dissipate and pass through us if we let them. Bravo for being an example. x
Exactly. I'm meeting people who I'm not otherwise connected to in any way, and they are liking the poems, and sometimes picking up the book, which is a nice bonus. I have always been outside of academia and without an MFA, so this isn't "career" for me. I'm happy when something I've written connects.
I feel just the same, Donna. My poems are generally well-received, even lauded several times ( gasp!) ~ but one of the biggest obstacles to true confidence is my lack of academia and “formal credentials”. I had my first collection of poetry published last year, but forget to even check up on the book! ( what a bad parent!) Maya's wonderful article lit a flame of inspiration under me to finish my next book-and this time, actually promote it!
I want to thank you both, because you’ve reminded me that I’d love to write something about this anxiety, too, which I see a lot in with CWC writers too. But my sparknotes proposition is that 98% of literary history takes place outside of academia and MFAs. You’re both doing valuable work. 💛
Thank you, Maya! Interestingly enough, my lack of education has actually informed quite a bit of my poetry, essays, and observations on life in general. The circumstances around my not attending college is actually a big part of the memoir I'm writing. ( I was raised in an apocalyptic cult)
You're taking full advantage of the platform capabilities. Good for you. This is the most promising platform I've ever seen. I'm thinking it would be good to do podcasts of myself reading. It comes down to this. I came out of it all with 5 full length books. One is published. Sales will make the publisher happy and he might take on more projects or I might attract other publishers.
Thank you, Maya. After reading your post, I promoted my own book, twice. So there!
I want to add a related comment.
As publisher at Monday Editions, where the press pays all publication expenses and the author keeps any and all sales revenue, I began with a policy of asking the author to set the price for the book.
Experience consistently showed two things:
1. Authors, not from true humility but from self-deprecation, will set absurdly low prices for their books.
2. Those absurdly low prices will piss me off, both because of their origin in self-deprecation and because rock-bottom prices reflect *nothing* of the editorial and design work--the *value*--inherent in the published book.
Monday Editions has now modified the press's contract with authors to specify a minimum price for the book. The author is free to set the price above that minimum and is encouraged to do so.
With this second, related comment, I have also promoted my press. So there!
This is so, so, so important, X.P. Relatedly, there’s a lot of research about how people won’t value a product that’s set too low and are LESS likely to buy it.
The most important commercial and artistic advice that I give poets: Learn how to perform your poetry with the same emotions and originality as the poems on the page. Please stop performing your poems with that same sing-song accent as too many other poets but that doesn't mean you should become an over-emotive slam poet, either. Read your poems like musicians sing their songs. Read the sad poems like REM's "Everybody Hurts." Read the joyful poems like Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine." Read the devastating poems like Luther Vandross' "Dance with My Father." Read the funny poems like Joan Rivers. And do you know how to become a good performer poet? Take a drama class. And then take a second drama class. A great poet performer will find themselves drawing bigger audiences and selling more books
Gosh, I know, I always tell my students some version of this. They speed read as though they are fundamentally embarrassed to have written the thing or to take anyone’s time reading it. It’s essential to develop that skill if you’re planning to read. I LOVE reading aloud—my poems, the poems of others. It’s a great joy.
I have an MBA and am part owner of a psychotherapy practice and on the boards of a couple non profits - but promoting my own work seems distasteful. Especially this newest book due to it being about the life and death of my oldest child. I'll do more once the 2nd edition comes out, but I'm grateful the visual artists and musiciqns I collaborate with have promoted it so I don't need to so much.
It does feel like the word ‘shameless’ subtly lurks in parentheses before the words ‘self-promotion’
It is the luxury of the casual writer - the amateur like me to say I don’t care - read me if you want - suit yourself, you don’t know what you’re missing
Speaking just for myself - of all God’s blessings in the universe, writing for the sheer love & joy of writing with little or no concern for self promotion is about as good as it gets.
Blessed art thou Lord our God, King of the universe who did not make me weight tables while I pretended to be a professional writer or good speller. Amen
100000% -- I continuously say as much and agree full-heartedly. But I know the "shame" attached to self-promotion and hope this finds the people who, like me, could use a pep talk.
YES YES YES. Just imagine that person who NEEDS to be in that class, for whom you will unlock some precious, fundamental thing. You could change people's lives with what you have to share. My writing teachers changed mine. Well done, Sheila. x
Thanks for that mind chatter reframe! I'm happy to say that someone did call me after seeing a flyer and said it was exactly what they've been looking for, hooray!
Thanks for this post and topic, Maya. Very important. As you know, I have no compunction or hesitation in promoting my work. I have come to believe over the years that a true artist is also a professional artist, and that a professional artist has made their work ready for purchase. This requires a process of payment and activities of letting people know about what we have created and what others have said about it.
Thanks again for touching upon this touchy topic. And congratulations to you for completing this new book, and making these early moves to support its success.
Reading this after finding it linked on Sarah Fay's substack. One thing I can do this week to support my own (confidence and, therefore,) work is...leave my first comment on someone else's substack. This is that comment. Thanks for the relatable words above.
I appreciate this reflection and encouragement. I’ve needed to lean into the shifts you noted because I’m building a business, and it has been so stretching! This mindset may not work for everyone, but what works for me is thinking of how I can be of service to others. It’s not about me, but rather how my words and work could help someone just when they need it, even if they never tell me. As I’ve been learning more about the nervous system, I also see how our brains are wired to keep us safe in a primal sense. That means there’s gentle work to do at the nervous system/ body level in order to deepen my capacity for the new and uncomfortable.
This is so enlightening for me as a newly published indie author who has no marketing cells in her brain whatsoever. In fact I wrote about that in one of my posts - titled “my marketing brain is switched off.”
You articulate this tension so well Maya and I feel relieved to be so uncomfortable with it in the presence of such a great leader in poetry
Thank you for simplifying it and encouraging pre order phrasing.
Introduce myself to the CWC community. Seems silly but I always shy away from introducing myself when I join an online group…which is extremely counterproductive to join in silence.
If it makes you feel better, we have members who introduce themselves months in. We host new member meetings all the time for that reason. So, if you decide to stay in CWC for a while, you have time. 💛💛💛
This is so relevant to me. I put out my very small poetry book a bit over a month ago, and I’ve done next to nothing for all the reasons you share here. Poet habits vs. promotional habits? Yes. Overly self-conscious about poet peers? Hell, even that I qualify as peer? Yes.
One thing I learned, but have not yet put into action, is the *narrative* around my book. Not just that I have one available, but what it is, how it came to be as a small collection, how it transformed things, what it has to say. And there is such a narrative that I have not expressed at all! And, wonderfully, I realized this by observing a similar peer just this week unveiling her narrative about her self-released book.
So I am thinking on ways to get that narrative out there. I think I have something unique to say, though I let my excuses get in the way that I’m not among the real poets. Well, why the hell not, already?!
Oh, my goodness. I am now going to check your Substack repeatedly for a post about the book's origins.
I am so grateful you shared this with me, because it makes me feel better about my own doubts. I also didn't have a narrative about writing the book, until my editor was like, um, this is kind of an important thing. And I thought, oh, that makes sense, I guess. But my point is that it doesn't naturally occur to me either. But it also doesn't occur to me to eat huge portions of dark leafy greens instead of pizza, so I don't think operating merely on what we feel like is always the best practice, LOL.
This made me think … My mentality for years now in sharing my poems has been about the poem. Each one, its individual self. Once shared, I hope people get something from it.
But that mentality hasn’t been about the poet. Or even the collected mass of those poems. It’s not a promotional thing about me. It’s a borderline panhandling of please like this precious thing.
But I observe others, you included, who have managed to present the poet and the larger thread. And I think it’s successful, by comparison.
So, to a relative rookie and unknown, I think that bigger message (dare we say sell?!) mentality is foreign.
But my one poem at a time approach is a bit like trying to build a house with one brick and wondering why it’s not working well.
No spectacular answers. But maturing thoughts.
(In fairness, it’s not like I say nothing about me the poet in my after-poem comments and micro essays, it’s just that I don’t do so very consciously.)
I've done 2 sleder chapbooks in the states. Had a commercial printer run them . I had cartons of boxes with no way to transact or fulfill. Authors were expected to sell at their readings, which I had no opportunity for. So I did a full length one with a press ín Northern Ireland. Took a year to get it through production. The publisher and I had runs of bad luck and his legacy platform crashed so he started over with Amazon. So I have my social media marketing driver and he has his transaction and fulfillment mechanism. So much easier. I don't want to talk about it. I have a better idea. I have the means of posting poems from every stage of my long career. They can do the talking. I've already posted sev
One thing that I have done differently with my latest collection is just ask and tell myself that the worst that could happen is a no. I have more events for this book so far than I've ever had, because I've asked. Asked about that reading series, that interview series, that podcast, and then tried to balance posting about the work of others with promotion of my own. Since I have started running my own reading . series and editing a journal, I know how many of us are vying for spaces, so I don't take anything personally. How does that translate to sales? Not sure, but it means that my work reaches more people.
Donna, I LOVE this. Ultimately, sales are irrelevant--you didn't set out to strictly boost sales, it sounds like, but to connect with more strangers, to share your work widely, and it sounds like you've done this beautifully. I love "I have more events for this book so far than I've ever had, because I've asked." It's sometimes that simple. And the worst that can happen is a "no" is incredibly important. That no produces a FEELING, and feeling dissipate and pass through us if we let them. Bravo for being an example. x
Exactly. I'm meeting people who I'm not otherwise connected to in any way, and they are liking the poems, and sometimes picking up the book, which is a nice bonus. I have always been outside of academia and without an MFA, so this isn't "career" for me. I'm happy when something I've written connects.
I’m certain it does and love your attitude. 💛
I feel just the same, Donna. My poems are generally well-received, even lauded several times ( gasp!) ~ but one of the biggest obstacles to true confidence is my lack of academia and “formal credentials”. I had my first collection of poetry published last year, but forget to even check up on the book! ( what a bad parent!) Maya's wonderful article lit a flame of inspiration under me to finish my next book-and this time, actually promote it!
I want to thank you both, because you’ve reminded me that I’d love to write something about this anxiety, too, which I see a lot in with CWC writers too. But my sparknotes proposition is that 98% of literary history takes place outside of academia and MFAs. You’re both doing valuable work. 💛
Thank you, Maya! Interestingly enough, my lack of education has actually informed quite a bit of my poetry, essays, and observations on life in general. The circumstances around my not attending college is actually a big part of the memoir I'm writing. ( I was raised in an apocalyptic cult)
You're taking full advantage of the platform capabilities. Good for you. This is the most promising platform I've ever seen. I'm thinking it would be good to do podcasts of myself reading. It comes down to this. I came out of it all with 5 full length books. One is published. Sales will make the publisher happy and he might take on more projects or I might attract other publishers.
Every poet or would-be poet (everyone, period, for that matter) should read The War of Art by Steve Pressfield.
Just added this to my reading list. Thanks so much, I wasn't familiar with it!
Highly recommend. Pressfield's The War of Art is mind-shifting.
Anything and everything Pressfield does is worth adding to your library. My favorite is his historical fiction beginning with Gates of Fire.
Thank you, Maya. After reading your post, I promoted my own book, twice. So there!
I want to add a related comment.
As publisher at Monday Editions, where the press pays all publication expenses and the author keeps any and all sales revenue, I began with a policy of asking the author to set the price for the book.
Experience consistently showed two things:
1. Authors, not from true humility but from self-deprecation, will set absurdly low prices for their books.
2. Those absurdly low prices will piss me off, both because of their origin in self-deprecation and because rock-bottom prices reflect *nothing* of the editorial and design work--the *value*--inherent in the published book.
Monday Editions has now modified the press's contract with authors to specify a minimum price for the book. The author is free to set the price above that minimum and is encouraged to do so.
With this second, related comment, I have also promoted my press. So there!
This is so, so, so important, X.P. Relatedly, there’s a lot of research about how people won’t value a product that’s set too low and are LESS likely to buy it.
This piece is SO important for all creatives! Your tribe can only find you if you are out there holding your torch! Good for you🙌
I love that image of holding the torch! I'm going to carry that with me. Thank you!
Share some writing with a friend that isn’t even aware writing is occurring knowing they will laugh.
Love this. And of course they will laugh.
The most important commercial and artistic advice that I give poets: Learn how to perform your poetry with the same emotions and originality as the poems on the page. Please stop performing your poems with that same sing-song accent as too many other poets but that doesn't mean you should become an over-emotive slam poet, either. Read your poems like musicians sing their songs. Read the sad poems like REM's "Everybody Hurts." Read the joyful poems like Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine." Read the devastating poems like Luther Vandross' "Dance with My Father." Read the funny poems like Joan Rivers. And do you know how to become a good performer poet? Take a drama class. And then take a second drama class. A great poet performer will find themselves drawing bigger audiences and selling more books
Gosh, I know, I always tell my students some version of this. They speed read as though they are fundamentally embarrassed to have written the thing or to take anyone’s time reading it. It’s essential to develop that skill if you’re planning to read. I LOVE reading aloud—my poems, the poems of others. It’s a great joy.
I have an MBA and am part owner of a psychotherapy practice and on the boards of a couple non profits - but promoting my own work seems distasteful. Especially this newest book due to it being about the life and death of my oldest child. I'll do more once the 2nd edition comes out, but I'm grateful the visual artists and musiciqns I collaborate with have promoted it so I don't need to so much.
https://operationriskyou.substack.com/p/the-strange-misgivings-of-the-sadly?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=of9ra
I’m so sorry for your loss, Jason. I’m glad your collaborators have lended support. 💛
Valuable article, thank you!
It does feel like the word ‘shameless’ subtly lurks in parentheses before the words ‘self-promotion’
It is the luxury of the casual writer - the amateur like me to say I don’t care - read me if you want - suit yourself, you don’t know what you’re missing
Speaking just for myself - of all God’s blessings in the universe, writing for the sheer love & joy of writing with little or no concern for self promotion is about as good as it gets.
Blessed art thou Lord our God, King of the universe who did not make me weight tables while I pretended to be a professional writer or good speller. Amen
100000% -- I continuously say as much and agree full-heartedly. But I know the "shame" attached to self-promotion and hope this finds the people who, like me, could use a pep talk.
There’s a line I like - helpful when I’m busy pretending I don’t care - don’t know who said it -
If I’m not for myself, who will be? If I’m only for myself, who am I?
Rabbi Hillel
Thank you for naming this and looking at it so boldly. I really needed this pep talk!
Thanks for sharing this…I was out yesterday hanging up flyers for a writing class I teach, pushing against that self-promotion discomfort.
YES YES YES. Just imagine that person who NEEDS to be in that class, for whom you will unlock some precious, fundamental thing. You could change people's lives with what you have to share. My writing teachers changed mine. Well done, Sheila. x
Thanks for that mind chatter reframe! I'm happy to say that someone did call me after seeing a flyer and said it was exactly what they've been looking for, hooray!
I just smiled so big, Sheila!!!!
Thanks for this post and topic, Maya. Very important. As you know, I have no compunction or hesitation in promoting my work. I have come to believe over the years that a true artist is also a professional artist, and that a professional artist has made their work ready for purchase. This requires a process of payment and activities of letting people know about what we have created and what others have said about it.
I won't hijack this space further, but in the spirit of the message I'll offer as evidence how I am promoting my new and previous books here on Substack: https://wildsonnets.substack.com/p/the-wild-sonnets-bookstore.
Thanks again for touching upon this touchy topic. And congratulations to you for completing this new book, and making these early moves to support its success.
Reading this after finding it linked on Sarah Fay's substack. One thing I can do this week to support my own (confidence and, therefore,) work is...leave my first comment on someone else's substack. This is that comment. Thanks for the relatable words above.
💛💛💛
I appreciate this reflection and encouragement. I’ve needed to lean into the shifts you noted because I’m building a business, and it has been so stretching! This mindset may not work for everyone, but what works for me is thinking of how I can be of service to others. It’s not about me, but rather how my words and work could help someone just when they need it, even if they never tell me. As I’ve been learning more about the nervous system, I also see how our brains are wired to keep us safe in a primal sense. That means there’s gentle work to do at the nervous system/ body level in order to deepen my capacity for the new and uncomfortable.
This is so enlightening for me as a newly published indie author who has no marketing cells in her brain whatsoever. In fact I wrote about that in one of my posts - titled “my marketing brain is switched off.”
You articulate this tension so well Maya and I feel relieved to be so uncomfortable with it in the presence of such a great leader in poetry
Thank you for simplifying it and encouraging pre order phrasing.
I’m so glad. Thank you so much. And congrats on your publication.
This is SO GOOD! Thank you for this it’s very encouraging!
Thanks so much, I’m so glad!!!
Introduce myself to the CWC community. Seems silly but I always shy away from introducing myself when I join an online group…which is extremely counterproductive to join in silence.
If it makes you feel better, we have members who introduce themselves months in. We host new member meetings all the time for that reason. So, if you decide to stay in CWC for a while, you have time. 💛💛💛