wordpress-seo
domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init
action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /srv/users/sandra/apps/sandra/public/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114Poetry can be harder to promote than other types of writing, which is why I wanted to be able to help the poets here. I’m not the best person to explain how to promote poetry, though (and I’m good about staying in my lane!), so I set the idea aside for the short term. <\/span><\/p>\n When <\/span>I saw in a Facebook group that poet Raegen Pietrucha was hosting a workshop on how to promote poetry a few months ago, I saved the notice. Would she be open to a Q&A here about exactly that?<\/p>\n I was delighted when she accepted my invitation this week! Here’s what you need to know about Raegen first.<\/p>\n Raegen Pietrucha writes, edits, and consults creatively and professionally. Head of a Gorgon<\/a> Raegen received her MFA from Bowling Green State University, where she was an assistant editor for Mid-American Review<\/em>. Her writing has been published in Cimarron Review<\/em>, Puerto del Sol<\/em>, and other journals. Connect with her at raegenmp.wordpress.com<\/a> and on Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our conversation about how to promote poetry is full of insights for all authors, not just poets.<\/p>\n The biggest challenge for poets is the sheer lack associated with the genre: lack of resources dedicated to it; the lack of know-how in promoting and marketing it; and worst, the lack of audience for it.<\/p>\n [novashare_tweet tweet=”The biggest challenge for poets is the sheer lack associated with the genre. ~ Raegen Pietrucha” hide_hashtags=”true”]<\/p>\n I see all of these as tied together, by the way: The lack of resources and know-how in promoting poetry reinforces the lack of audience, which reinforces \u2014 and for some small-minded folks, even justifies \u2014 the lack of resources dedicated to promoting it.<\/p>\n I truly believe poetry would have a much larger audience if the kinds of financial and publicity resources dedicated to most prose genres were dedicated to poetry. Too many folks still see poetry as something intimidating or beyond them, but I think this is a challenge that smart marketers and educators can overcome.<\/p>\n Problem is, those most talented book publicists in particular go where the money is \u2014 and right now, that\u2019s not with poetry<\/p>\n 1. Start early.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Start early \u2014 as in now if you have even the slightest inkling that you might someday write a poetry book or several.<\/p>\n It is never too soon to start building your brand and platform as an author, and the more effort you put into building a community<\/strong> around that idea \u2014 you as a poet with a book coming along someday \u2014 the better off you are when it comes time to publish, promote, and sell your poetry.<\/p>\n Take social media, for example. It\u2019s OK if that\u2019s not your platform and you prefer, say, an email list, newsletter, and\/or blog, but what you don\u2019t want to do if you intend to use social media to promote your book is be days away from your book\u2019s launch and then decide that\u2019s when you\u2019ll start your Twitter or TikTok account.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not an excuse not to start, by the way, and late is better than never, but it takes a long time to form relationships and build traction in any community, so it\u2019s best to start now.<\/p>\n 2. Define what\u2019s intriguing.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Really understand what it is about your book that folks who don\u2019t typically read poetry might find intriguing<\/a>, because it won\u2019t be the poetry aspect of it unless they\u2019re already poetry readers and\/or writers.<\/p>\n 3. Network and build relationships.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The success of any type of promotion, publicity, marketing, and sales effort ultimately relies on relationships<\/a>. This is a pain point for a lot of writers, who often identify as introverted or shy and tend to use that as an excuse for inaction.<\/p>\n But like it or not, it is part of the deal, especially in poetry, where we don\u2019t have those financial and human resources dedicated to the genre to help propel it along separate from \u2014 and sometimes despite \u2014 the poets.<\/p>\n Build relationships personally. Build relationships professionally at work.<\/strong> Build relationships creatively with peers at conferences, workshops, readings, events, etc. \u2014 online and in person, if possible.<\/p>\n Some of the most unexpected but most joyous experiences I\u2019ve had with promoting and ultimately getting coverage of Head of a Gorgon<\/em> came from professional and creative relationships I built several years ago with people now states away from me whom I still touch base with from time to time on social media.<\/p>\n And I should mention that they approached me with their own ideas and opportunities to help spread the word. That\u2019s the real gold in book promotion: when the opportunities come to you versus seeking them out.<\/p>\n But lest anyone misunderstand me, let me clarify: Even these were still, albeit indirectly, the result of the many times I posted news about the book \u2014 just not coverage I specifically reached out for and requested (though I did plenty of that with other folks and outlets).<\/p>\n People can\u2019t help you promote your book if they don\u2019t know you have one.<\/p>\n [novashare_tweet tweet=”People can\u2019t help you promote your book if they don\u2019t know you have one. ~ Raegen Pietrucha” hide_hashtags=”true”]<\/p>\n A fellow writer and I joke a lot about one thing in particular that always seems to tank as a promotional effort: the take-this-action online giveaway<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you ask folks online to do anything beyond liking, sharing, tagging someone, or maybe guessing a number in a designated range, the majority of them simply won\u2019t even bother to try, no matter what the prize is.<\/p>\n This is something I\u2019ve come to think about immensely differently since the pandemic began. Because I\u2019m not willing to jeopardize my health and the health of my loved ones, least of all for book sales, I have focused all my energy into online\/virtual opportunities for Head of a Gorgon<\/a> I post everything<\/strong> \u2014 podcasts I\u2019m on, reviews my book\u2019s received, press coverage, online readings, virtual workshops, and more \u2014 there. And I truly believe my brand is the better for it.<\/p>\nIntroducing Raegen Pietrucha<\/h2>\n
<\/a>
<\/em> is her debut, full-length, poetry collection. Her debut poetry chapbook, An Animal I Can’t Name<\/em><\/a>, won the 2015 Two of Cups Press competition, and she has a memoir in progress.<\/p>\n
How to promote poetry<\/h2>\n
What’s the biggest challenge poets face when promoting and marketing poetry books? <\/strong><\/h3>\n
What are your 3 best tips for promoting poetry books?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>For my debut full-length collection, Head of a Gorgon<\/a>
<\/em>, the short of it is, it\u2019s a feminist reimagining of the myth of Medusa that explores surviving sexual violence in contemporary times. That means my book is for all adult readers who are drawn to feminism, mythology, discussions of survivorship, and\/or poetry \u2014 with the fact that it\u2019s poetry being the least emphasized element for a general audience.<\/p>\n
What book promotion tactic have you tried that wasn’t as successful as you had hoped?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
If you could only do one thing to promote your poetry, what would it be?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/em>, largely through social media.<\/p>\n