Selling Poetry Books

Deccydiva · Jul 25, 2008

I have been trying to get a feel for the sales potential for new collections of original work by one author. According to one reputable UK website if you manage to sell 100 copies over the expected life of the book then you are hitting the standard sales volume. I assume that this refers to UK sales; as AW is US/Canada and beyond is there a similar benchmark for sales or does it depend entirely on "marketability" and "accessibility" of the work and reputation of the author?
Just an idle query, it's getting late and nearly bedtime. Must take my pills! :tongue

poetinahat · Aug 29, 2008

I wonder whether the dearth of replies is - sadly - a reply in itself?

Coolibah · Sep 1, 2008

Not really, P. Why pay when one can simply join all the sites and read fresh off the press?

Sites like LULU (typical - HUH?), encourage authors to publish their own works ... book wise - I mean! They charge a minimal fee full knowing a 100 sales is pretty optimistic.

Oh well!

The other way is to suck up to the intelligentsia at Publishing Houses ... if you've the right credentials of course... starting with your Sir Name?

Tis a sad game!

caseyquinn · Sep 4, 2008

Just curious, is really 100 sold copies the "goal" for a book of poetry by a single author? Also is this a chapbook or normal length book (must say never really understand for poetry the difference) ... ?

veinglory · Sep 4, 2008

It really would depend. For a completely unknown poet 50 copies would be optimistic, unless the content was particulalry appealing or there was a charity angle. If it an unthemed volume of average quality the numbers could be lower.

But there are poets selling in the multiple hundreds or low thousands if they have a following, publish multiple single poems in reputable journals, tackle poetry types with a niche fanbase (sci ku, gay love poems, humor), are published by a reputable press etc.

caseyquinn · Sep 4, 2008

wow, that is amazing... i never realized the sales expecation is so low... explains why publishers dont like to touch poetry that much.... thanks for the info!

Deccydiva · Sep 4, 2008

Thanks for the replies - TBH I had forgotten about this thread as it looked dead to me! Good job I checked. Rep points on their way... I'm grateful!

Selling Poetry Books

Deccydiva

Back from the dead

poetinahat

Numbers are beautiful

Coolibah

caseyquinn

Just happy to be here

veinglory

volitare nequeo

caseyquinn

Just happy to be here

Deccydiva

Back from the dead