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Weston Parker's avatar

Thanks Frederick. If you learn of a good aggregator in the poetry world, let me know but honestly, poetry is the red headed stepchild of the literary world.

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

…or the bald geezer on his last legs.

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Weston Parker's avatar

Frederick, I do struggle with the issues you talked about. I found a literary agent several years ago who liked my stuff but said, "No way can you do 107 poems". She didn't like the cover I wanted. She thought my chapter headings were insufficiently sober/literary, that they were "too casual and flippant". It would have cost me some $, the potential earnings were negligible, so all in all, it seemed like an unworthy direction. I remember that Keats, dead at 25, only published a total of 200 copies of his stuff. That's my goal, get 200 hard copies out in the world (half way there) and if it is any good, it will last. Otherwise, they will become shims for tables and a handy source to start a fire. I used Lulu and the finished product is just what I hoped for.

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

Interesting...Lulu is one of the aggregators on my list.

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Weston Parker's avatar

I engaged the help of one Amy Myers that I met here on Substack. She's a dandy poet. I don't know if she is still helping out people like us. She was a decent cost and very sharp. smallsunnygarden@gmail.com

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SBwrites's avatar

Frederick, that's great news! I'm worried about money these days, but will go on Amazon, and I hope to support you!

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

Thank you, SB. I appreciate it.

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

Many thanks to Jerileewei, Deni, and Pual Wittenberger for restacking Publishing Decisions.

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Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

That is good news Fred the more availability of your books is definitely a good thing. I thoroughly enjoy your writing.

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

Thank you, Kathleen. You're among the few dozen who've read my books.

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Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

Well, Fred, that makes me sad.

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

As the French say, c'est dommage, Mmais c'est la vie.

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Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

Sorry, Fred I really don't know what that means. I do not know any French.

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

It means, it's a pity, but that's life.

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Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

Thank you I learned something every day.

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Teresa Dovalpage's avatar

Joan is totally right! I had never heard of aggregators. Thanks for sharing all this new information. There are so many new avenues in the publishing world now.

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Frederick Fullerton's avatar

Aggregators are a better and likely a less expensive option than a vanity press. There are several that receive good reviews, depending on what you’re publishing and your goals. Each has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to research them first.

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Joan Livingston's avatar

As I've said before, there is writing and then there is the business of writing. Too many great books, including yours, don't get the readership they deserve. And lots of so-so books get the exposure and I wonder why.

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