referencebooks

2006 Poet's Market

Nancy Breen, Editor.

Published by Writer's Digest Books, 2006.

This is a 7" by 9" book running to 572 pages including the indexes (general and special).

The cover says:

WHERE AND HOW TO PUBLISH YOUR POETRY

1,800+ listings for magazines and journals, presses, contests, workshops, and more

Includes exclusive interviews with poets and editors on the craft of poetry.

This is simply the best and most complete guide for people wanting to publish their poetry. It is divided into four major sections: Articles & Information, Markets (which has the bulk of the book, a directory of publishers of poetry), Resources, and Indexes. The Articles & Information section includes:

• Getting Started (and Using This Book)
  
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Roundtable: Poetry Contests
  
• Opening Doors to Poetry
  
• Mistakes Poets Make
  
• Dealing With Problem Editors
  
• Complaint Procedure
  
• Are You Being Taken?
  
• Self-Promotion
  
• Important Market Listing Information
  

The directory of poetry publishers lists publishers in alphabetical order. Entries include small icons that indicate aspects of the publisher's operation - whether it's in another country, whether they pay money (and not just free copies of the publication), whether they welcome submissions from beginning poets, etc. For each publisher listed there is contact information, information on what kind of poetry the publisher publishes, information about its market and the physical product, statistics on the number of submissions they get versus how many they publish, distribution and price information, instructions on how to submit, and various other information, sometimes including statements by the editors of the magazine or book publisher on such things as the state of poetry today, pet peeves, or tips on writing.

The section called Resources contains directories of conferences & workshops, organizations, poets in education, and glossaries of listing terms and poetry terms. The index section includes an index of chapbook publishers, book publishers, an index based on openness to submission, a geographical index, a subject index, and a general index.

This is an indispensible book for poets who are serious about writing poetry and want to explore their publishing options. This is the 21st annual edition of the book.