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How To Set Up Your Next Poetry Reading Thankfully, the editorial and printing process is over and your new poetry
book is available to the buying public. Stepping back, you realize you have to
achieve the next step - perhaps the hardest step to complete - setting up poetry
readings. The readings will bring the public up to date in your latest
accomplishment and sell out your books. Poetry readings after you have completed a book are actually a bit different
than readings of your unpublished work. The published part brings a new flair
that can be an enormous amount of positive energy used to get people to buy your
work. A reading is the perfect place to perform a piece or two and then share
your words on paper when they want more. Before you ask for a poetry reading, make sure you have your press kit ready
to go. A copy of the book, a press release and a picture inside a folder are the
basic needs of the kit. Also, if you can find the time, samples of posters you
can provide the venue and times you can help post around town. A date to consider is the next important thing to think about before going to
the venue. Make sure the reading you are asking for is on a normal poetry
gathering night, or better yet, includes an open mic night. Avoid important days
that include sporting events or local happenings; people will make choices to go
to the once-a-year events over the every-week occurrences. Now you are ready to talk to the poetry venue directors. When I talk to
different venues about the poetry book I publicized, called Splatterhead (www.splatterhead.com),
I start by introducing myself. After getting past the first stages, I tell them
about the book - cover and all. Something like: “Hi. This is Dee Anderson and I work for Emerson’s Eye Press. We publish
quality literature and poetry and I want to tell you about a new book we have
coming out. It is called Splatterhead. It is by an international poet - Chris
Mosdell - who is recognized in Japan and now the United States. Chris is an
exceptional performer and has been on a New York City tour where the response
was absolutely delightful. Would you consider having him at your poetry
venue?” After you pop the question, they make a decision. Hopefully it is yes. If so,
you make an appointment to take your materials down to review and decide a date.
This should be done right away. Don’t let the venue director forget and keep
in mind a month from now may not be a good time. And if they say "no," thank them for the time and hang up the
telephone. It is time to try again. Out of every 20 calls, expect one "yes."
If you get more positive responses, wonderful, but realistically, the more you
ask, the better your possibilities. As for Mr. Mosdell’s book Splatterhead, I keep asking for dates and he
keeps performing. Venues like the idea of poets and publicists pitching new
books and promising to give their customers a good show. All you need to do is
keep calling to ask for dates and showing your poetry.
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