My book of poetry is ready for sale. It started with 200 poems but then tryouts came and we cut the ones with good legs but a lousy bat. I could put a lot more sporty metaphors in here because I am a poet, after all, and nothing says quality poetry like sports metaphors.
Well, talk about a difficult question! as what is the monetary worth of a poem, let alone an entire book with 107 poems?! When I think about this question for myself, I am a rather pissy little poet when it comes to putting a price on my poetry, as I think you may have read a few weeks back. I mean, think about it... I'd say that each of your poems is at least worth $1, at least! making the whole lot worth, at minimum, $107! But of course no one is going to pay that, unfortunately. And then when you put the price at say, $20, then divide by 107 you get around 18 cents per poem. And all be damned if your poetry is only worth 18 cents per poem. So, where in holy hell does that leave us? For me, I cannot think of one time that I have ever bought a newly published book of poetry. Definitely not my thing. However, I just bought an old hardcover, an Anthology of Western Poetry, spanning from Sappho to roughly the Moderns for only $2! with probably a thousand plus poems, which you don't dare do the math on that one, as talk about depressing when it comes to the monetary value per poem. Thus, and after this long rambling, I'd say, cover your cost, and sprinkle an extra dollar or two in for fun, as that's the general profit for any professionally published work. And, if I were you, I would print a hardcover of absolute beauty! something worth displaying on the shelf, as you cannot go wrong with a stunning hardcover. Nonetheless, I'll be purchasing a copy no matter the cost, as I am rather fond of you, Weston, and your work.
I like your take on it. Keep it simple, try not to take it too personal. I'm sticking with the basic idea of putting as many copies into circulation as I can. If I was after $$, I'd pick up my hammer again.
It’s funny how, after a little break, those hammers get harder to wield, how those planks of wood get heavier, and god forbid how heavy those bags of concrete get, and don’t even mention that blazing sun! But once a job like that is done, the satisfaction is always worth the ache. Also, enjoy the time with your son, as now that my old man has moved to a new state, I truly miss farting around the house with him on the weekend. Heck, I may just cause some sort of catastrophe just to get him back out here to help me build something. Be well, Weston.
Amazing how much I can love your parents having never met them.
But yes - this is one of those things no one can decide I think except you (with Laurie). I’ve always treasured books that I’ve found with pages of a photo or two, so I can put a face or even an expression on the author, even just a glimpse.(maybe in hardback?)
Whatever you decide will be right. No one else (except other poets)
It will definitely be a hardback, I'm going for longevity after all. I'm also going to do a paperback version, some people like that. And an Ebook as well, cover all the bases.
This is as close as I can get myself, because for myself your poems are priceless. Someone will be holding pieces of you as they hold that book. How can I put a cost on that?
Like sending your infant self afloat on a river in one of your beautifully crafted baskets (but in this case waterproofed!), curious and concerned about those who will reach their arms out to pull them to safety.
I do think a beautiful hardback needs designing. If you would autograph that I’d say (because of innate weirdness on my part) $77 or $88. Still less than it’s worth.
That reminds me of a funny bit Dad did with me years ago when we went to a modern art museum and we were both looking at something we both thought was wretched, boring, pointless and we could have done ourselves in a lazy morning. Next to us came a young couple, both French and they tittered and pursed their lips. And one said, "It a travesty the price ($500,000). That work is absolutely priceless!"
Dad said, "well we can all agree that it is certainly priceless."
Let's face it, art, whatever kind it is, has always struggled against opinion, indifference, ignorance and the twits who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Paul W. has some good advice.
It really depends-if I knew I love the poems, and will re-read them(I love re-reading), I'd pay a lot, if I had the money of course. Wouldn't depend on number of poems.
Could depend on how hard it is to get the book as well.
Once I paid tons for thin self-published book-was my only way to have those on paper, and I cherished them, so. I don't remember how much, but 40 minimum.
I’d say $14.99 for a retail store, $9.99 on Amazon. Major publishers seem to demand a higher price, while self publications go for much less. This is just from observation and not my own experience. It’s hard to put a price on your creations, but those poems deserve to be read. Autographed copies are desirable, so get out your pen!
I think the hardcover should be in the range I indicated. Will it be a print-on-demand? What’s the cost for author’s copies? You may want to lay in a stock of those so you can offer signed or inscribed copies.
Well, a book of poetry published. I wish you luck and keep the hope alive that I will sell a few copies. I recommend that you post two o three poems from the book so the readers know what they are getting or what to expect if the buy the book. Your words are good but some samples would talk louder.
very good idea. All 107 of the poems in the book are published on my Substack thing, which has over 200 poems on it. Maybe I will publish the table of contents when I announce all the sale info. Thanks
I guess it depends on what “fame” means. There’s so much notoriety that masquerades as fame. A billion people knowing you’ve sung a (terrible) pop song and recognising your face is a type of fame, I suppose. But who cares? A poet respected by a few hundred on Substack for their beautiful observations and classy writing? Now that’s a quality fame already right there!
Did any poet ever have much fame in their life? I think of the 8-9 houses I built. No one will know how good they are until a century or two has passed. It's probably the same with poems.
Mmmm, I’d love to have an answer but I’m a perpetual unestimator of my own value. I hate having to price up anything. “Who’d pay that?” is always knocking about in my brain.
Whatever you come up with I’ll pay though, so maybe lots of people would “pay that”.
Will do Jonathan. I could build a decent set of shelves for $300. It would be a long morning's work and no client would bat an eye, but, ask them to pay real money for the books that go on there and the concept of value changes. Such a curious world.
Hardcover but I will also do a paperback later and probably an Ebook. I want to reach as wide a readership as possible without just giving the damn thing away.
Well, talk about a difficult question! as what is the monetary worth of a poem, let alone an entire book with 107 poems?! When I think about this question for myself, I am a rather pissy little poet when it comes to putting a price on my poetry, as I think you may have read a few weeks back. I mean, think about it... I'd say that each of your poems is at least worth $1, at least! making the whole lot worth, at minimum, $107! But of course no one is going to pay that, unfortunately. And then when you put the price at say, $20, then divide by 107 you get around 18 cents per poem. And all be damned if your poetry is only worth 18 cents per poem. So, where in holy hell does that leave us? For me, I cannot think of one time that I have ever bought a newly published book of poetry. Definitely not my thing. However, I just bought an old hardcover, an Anthology of Western Poetry, spanning from Sappho to roughly the Moderns for only $2! with probably a thousand plus poems, which you don't dare do the math on that one, as talk about depressing when it comes to the monetary value per poem. Thus, and after this long rambling, I'd say, cover your cost, and sprinkle an extra dollar or two in for fun, as that's the general profit for any professionally published work. And, if I were you, I would print a hardcover of absolute beauty! something worth displaying on the shelf, as you cannot go wrong with a stunning hardcover. Nonetheless, I'll be purchasing a copy no matter the cost, as I am rather fond of you, Weston, and your work.
I like your take on it. Keep it simple, try not to take it too personal. I'm sticking with the basic idea of putting as many copies into circulation as I can. If I was after $$, I'd pick up my hammer again.
At this rate, picking up a hammer again may be an act of pure necessity.
My son and I are rebuilding our deck out here in Colorado. It's been about a year since either of us has done this work. I'd forgotten how hard it is.
It’s funny how, after a little break, those hammers get harder to wield, how those planks of wood get heavier, and god forbid how heavy those bags of concrete get, and don’t even mention that blazing sun! But once a job like that is done, the satisfaction is always worth the ache. Also, enjoy the time with your son, as now that my old man has moved to a new state, I truly miss farting around the house with him on the weekend. Heck, I may just cause some sort of catastrophe just to get him back out here to help me build something. Be well, Weston.
Thanks for all that, got me smiling and nodding.
Amazing how much I can love your parents having never met them.
But yes - this is one of those things no one can decide I think except you (with Laurie). I’ve always treasured books that I’ve found with pages of a photo or two, so I can put a face or even an expression on the author, even just a glimpse.(maybe in hardback?)
Whatever you decide will be right. No one else (except other poets)
It will definitely be a hardback, I'm going for longevity after all. I'm also going to do a paperback version, some people like that. And an Ebook as well, cover all the bases.
This is as close as I can get myself, because for myself your poems are priceless. Someone will be holding pieces of you as they hold that book. How can I put a cost on that?
Like sending your infant self afloat on a river in one of your beautifully crafted baskets (but in this case waterproofed!), curious and concerned about those who will reach their arms out to pull them to safety.
I do think a beautiful hardback needs designing. If you would autograph that I’d say (because of innate weirdness on my part) $77 or $88. Still less than it’s worth.
That reminds me of a funny bit Dad did with me years ago when we went to a modern art museum and we were both looking at something we both thought was wretched, boring, pointless and we could have done ourselves in a lazy morning. Next to us came a young couple, both French and they tittered and pursed their lips. And one said, "It a travesty the price ($500,000). That work is absolutely priceless!"
Dad said, "well we can all agree that it is certainly priceless."
Let's face it, art, whatever kind it is, has always struggled against opinion, indifference, ignorance and the twits who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Paul W. has some good advice.
Congrats on the book!!
It really depends-if I knew I love the poems, and will re-read them(I love re-reading), I'd pay a lot, if I had the money of course. Wouldn't depend on number of poems.
Could depend on how hard it is to get the book as well.
Once I paid tons for thin self-published book-was my only way to have those on paper, and I cherished them, so. I don't remember how much, but 40 minimum.
Sorry, if the answer's not very helpful.
Again, very excited for you!
Very helpful answer, thanks Chen.
I’d say $14.99 for a retail store, $9.99 on Amazon. Major publishers seem to demand a higher price, while self publications go for much less. This is just from observation and not my own experience. It’s hard to put a price on your creations, but those poems deserve to be read. Autographed copies are desirable, so get out your pen!
Thanks Carole.
HC $24.95-$27.95
Paper $17.95
I think you're on the nose Paul. It cost almost $14 to print and about $5 to ship so if I add another $5 for me get rich on, there we are. Thanks
I think the hardcover should be in the range I indicated. Will it be a print-on-demand? What’s the cost for author’s copies? You may want to lay in a stock of those so you can offer signed or inscribed copies.
Great advice Paul. It is print on demand. The cost is almost $14, then about $5+ for the least expensive shipping.
Congrats! I would say 30 for the hardback.
Thanks Elise. Let's see 107/30= 28 cents per poem-what a deal! Ha!
Well, a book of poetry published. I wish you luck and keep the hope alive that I will sell a few copies. I recommend that you post two o three poems from the book so the readers know what they are getting or what to expect if the buy the book. Your words are good but some samples would talk louder.
very good idea. All 107 of the poems in the book are published on my Substack thing, which has over 200 poems on it. Maybe I will publish the table of contents when I announce all the sale info. Thanks
Congratulations, Weston! Of course your poetry is priceless, but maybe you can check out how much books are priced on Amazon of that length.
Thanks Nadia. Most books of poetry run 30-50 poems in length so it's a little tricky. let's face it, there's no real answer to this.
That’s for sure!
I guess it depends on what “fame” means. There’s so much notoriety that masquerades as fame. A billion people knowing you’ve sung a (terrible) pop song and recognising your face is a type of fame, I suppose. But who cares? A poet respected by a few hundred on Substack for their beautiful observations and classy writing? Now that’s a quality fame already right there!
That's the clear eyed thinking you are famous for, at least with me.
Yes. A kind of sentimental value for sure. After that it depends on fame I guess.
Did any poet ever have much fame in their life? I think of the 8-9 houses I built. No one will know how good they are until a century or two has passed. It's probably the same with poems.
Mmmm, I’d love to have an answer but I’m a perpetual unestimator of my own value. I hate having to price up anything. “Who’d pay that?” is always knocking about in my brain.
Whatever you come up with I’ll pay though, so maybe lots of people would “pay that”.
Reserve my copy now!
Will do Jonathan. I could build a decent set of shelves for $300. It would be a long morning's work and no client would bat an eye, but, ask them to pay real money for the books that go on there and the concept of value changes. Such a curious world.
The cost of everything and the value on nothing. Or something like that.
Paul W. thinks a signed copy has additional value. Do you think that’s true?
Paperback or hardcover?
Hardcover but I will also do a paperback later and probably an Ebook. I want to reach as wide a readership as possible without just giving the damn thing away.
I will pay 40 greenbacks
It would likely sell best at 20
For God's sake do not sell it for less
Thanks for the feedback Deborah.
My pleasure, Weston
I come from a family of poets and writers
My grandson loves and studies poetry
Your book will go into my library
of poets
and be read by my seven grandkids
and their grandkids
What a thrilling idea for me.