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Actually, Tim, the "new poets" tend not to be a problem -- they're still bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and full of the joys of being a New Poet With A Book. In fact, I think I've only had three books by first-timers that suffered from lack of authorial exertion after publication, and one of those I knew about beforehand and went ahead anyway. It's the cynical old-timers, the ones who've been there, done that, seen it all, who are less likely to help -- I hasten to add that the great majority of the authors here do their best their books, by the way. I have very little to complain about and nothing like the two cases Jesse mentioned. As I said before, my experience is that first books tend to sell quite well. Tony On 5 Jul 2011, at 18:52, Tim Allen wrote: > I agree Tony, and both you and I know examples of the two extremes. Of course it is better for everyone concerned if the poet can do what he/she can do to promote and sell copies - goes without saying - but I, for example, can see circumstances and times when this just is not going to happen. If someone was too ill, and/or lived far from everyone else (relatively) and/or never had the internet, etc, it would be very difficult for them, if not impossible. And what about... - somebody asked you this (sorry, can't remember who it was) about new poets etc. > > I know how difficult it is in time and money to be any type of poetry publisher (books or mags) - I have a huge respect and admiration for those who do it, whatever type of poetry it is, especially for the long haul players such as yourself. I suppose I also accept the realities of the situation, I have to, WE have to, but those realities are more pressing for some than others aren't they? I don't think I've ever finished a post on a rhetorical question before... > > Cheers > > Tim > > On 5 Jul 2011, at 17:19, Tony Frazer wrote: > >> Tim, >> >> This is fair, up to a point, but Jess also described two situations where the authors actually undermined the books, which I think we might all agree is a Bad Thing. We're not talking here about appearances on the Richard and Judy show, or travelling the country in a beat-up van doing supporting gigs for Simon Armitage, are we? I know some poets who do not belong to a defined community, but it seems to me that the great majority do. There are also cases of poets who should be physically restrained from ever giving another reading, but not too many, I'm pleased to say. >> >> I find most of my authors understand the basics -- they have friends (well, most do ....), they have mailing lists, they tell people about their book, and, yes, they do readings, hopefully more than usual when the book is out. It's usually easier to get a gig when you've a book to promote, as it gives the reading organisers something to hang their own promotion on. We make a point of it here in Exeter, as you know. I've not had anyone conspire against a book yet, but I have had maybe 4 or 5 books which simply died for lack of support. As I explained, in one case, it was unavoidable and I knew in advance, but I still published the book as I believed in it, and still do. But, I have to say that in the few cases where the books died, I am unlikely to take on a follow-up volume. Like other small-press publishers, I put in a lot of work for no personal reward, apart from the satisfaction of a job well done (plus, the writer has put in all that work writing the thing), and it seems stupid to let the published book wither on the vine. (Crap metaphor, but you know what I mean.) >> >> Best, >> Tony >> >> >> On 5 Jul 2011, at 12:30, Tim Allen wrote: >> >>> Hi Jess, >>> >>> Yes, but it isn't always possible. If alternative press publishers only published the work of those they knew could, or would, help go out there and sell the stuff, then it would seriously limit the poets they took on. A lot of alternative poets are already isolated from the usual channels etc, so are disadvantaged on this issue right from the start - it's the reason they have actually sought out a publisher in the first place. Some poets have access to a circle of people, either local or around the country (however limited), who might be interested in buying their books (my own situation I suppose), but others for whatever reason, do not have this. It might be down to the author's character or their physical circumstances or whatever. If publishers only put out books by the first group it would not only be unfair, it would actually skew the profile of that particular publisher. Perhaps such a publisher should rename his business, Extravert Press, or Socializes Easily Press or Stops Anyone He Meets And Asks Them If they Want To Buy His Poetry Book Press. >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> Tim A. >>> >>> On 5 Jul 2011, at 07:07, [log in to unmask] wrote: >>> >>>> I agree with Tony--especially on this point. Authors need to actively >>>> promote their work. It's crucial at the level of alternative press.