Guidelines for creating a chapbook

[Ambrosia]

I know a few people here have published chapbooks of their works. I am wondering if there is a normal range of number of poems included in such a book.

Anyone?

[Polly]

I've seen competitions asking for anywhere between 16 and 28 pages... definitely interested to find out what's the norm though.

Mind if I keep you company 'til someone with a real answer shows up? :)

[Ambrosia]

Not at all, Polly. I hope you get your question(s) answered as well.

I am not looking to enter a competition. Just straight out publish a chapbook.

[Polly]

Sorry, I wasn't clear - I didn't think you wanted to enter a contest (neither do I), but have seen some recently and assumed the pagecounts would be fairly standard.

[kborsden]

What would you consider value for money? I think about 100 pages minimum...

[poetinahat]

I'd like to know too, because it's about time I put something on paper.

I've got a chapbook by Tom Waits - but it's really only one poem and about ten pages.

[Sarah Madara]

Most of the self-produced chapbooks I've seen from local poets run between 20 and 60 pages.

It depends how you want to bind it. Stapling is cheap and easy, but works better with slender books. Be sure to have them cut the pages so that they are even widths once stapled.

It also depends whether you are selling this, for how much money, and where.

I would go to an artsy bookstore or coffee shop that supports independent poets and browse for yourself, if you can.

[Ambrosia]

Actually, going to an artsy bookstore that supports independent poets isn't a bad idea. I wonder if there are any around here...