So, you’ve started publishing poems in a number of magazines, you may even have been shortlisted in a competition or two, or maybe you’ve won a prize - but, what next? 

In 2011 I won the Templar Poetry Pamphlet Prize and since then have gone on to publish three collections of poetry, so I can attest to how publishing a pamphlet can be a great way to kickstart your journey as a published writer. Here, I want to share with you some of my insights from writing a prize-winning pamphlet. 

Where to start?

For most poets starting out, the next, most conventional step is to publish a pamphlet (roughly an A5 size book of approximately 20 poems). The pamphlet scene in the UK is really thriving at the minute, with some wonderfully inventive and innovative independent presses on the rise, publishing beautiful little books of poetry (see publishers and competitions below). For many poets, the pamphlet is a great way to make tentative steps towards a book length collection, road-test new writing, attract the attention of publishers and readers, and provides opportunities to give new readings and connect with new audiences. 

Where and when to send your work?

Some of these pamphlet presses run competitions whereby they select the best three manuscripts, publish them and then promote them, offering opportunities for readings. Ignition Press, run by Dr Niall Munro at Oxford Brookes University is a great example of this and has a great track record of uncovering some great talent.  Only you will know when your manuscript is ready, however I’d say it’s essential that you show it to someone else before you submit it and get their feedback. I’ve worked with many people in the past, helping them to refine their work and get their pamphlet ready, so feel free to contact me here. 

How many poems?

Generally speaking, a pamphlet, otherwise known as a chapbook, comprises 20 poems. These poems may have been published in magazines previously or have won or been listed in competitions. If you’ve published them on a blog, you’ll need to speak to the editor of the pamphlet press, as they may require you to delete the poems from your blog.

Do Your Research

Think carefully about which publisher or competition you’re going to send to, and whether or not your work is compatible with that. If you write in mostly expansive free verse, it won’t be a good idea to send your work to a publisher who generally focuses on tight lyric writing. 

Here Are My 5 TOP TIPS

1. Edit. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.

This is probably the simplest one. If you want to write a good pamphlet, and get it published, you need to concentrate on getting the poems right, which means editing them. So, go back over them and edit. Firstly, check for spelling and grammar mistakes. Mistakes are so off-putting for editors and competition judges as they suggest a lack of rigour and a lack of care. Next show the pamphlet to a friend or take it to a workshop or show your mentor, if you have one. Listen to all the feedback they give you, because even if you initially disagree with their comments, after a few days you might see what they mean, so be open-minded to their point of view. A good pamphlet, fundamentally, is made of good poems, but also good poems that are in an effective order. This takes me on to my next piece of advice. 

2. The 5 Poem Rule

The first 5 poems in your pamphlet are crucial. If the first five poems don’t grab the attention of the editor (who, let’s face it, will get hundreds of submissions per year) then why would they read the rest of the pamphlet? The first 5 poems have got to catch the attention of the editor; they may intrigue, shock, floor with their lyricism, move, absorb the editor, but they must cut through and elicit some kind of response which makes the editor want to keep reading and not put the pamphlet down. That is why you must, must, must, give a lot of thought to your first 5 poems. This is where a critical reader comes in, as sometimes it’s hard to be the best judge of your own work, and often it’s really helpful for someone to give their opinion as the 5 poems they choose, might not be the same as yours. But, choose the first five poems wisely. 

3. Variety (forms/topics/styles/sequences?/length)

Following on from this point, try to vary the poems throughout, unless you’ve specifically written a pamphlet full of sonnets, for example. So, it might be that you start with a four-line poem, and then move onto a longer poem in free verse, followed by a sonnet etc. This helps show the editor/judge that you’re able to write in a variety of ways and shows off your skill, as well as giving them a bit. As well as thinking about your first five poems, it’s also important that you finish strongly as well, as this is the poem that will resonate with the reader long after they’ve put your poems down. 

4. Cover Letter

If the submission process requires you to write a cover letter, then it’s really important to make the most of this opportunity, particularly as it may well form the first impression of the editor or judge. Firstly, be formal and use an opening such as “Dear…, I’d be grateful if you would consider my pamphlet for this year’s  [Name of Publisher/Competition] Poetry Prize” and so on. I’d recommend keeping it short, but clearly listing any publications or awards you’ve had. Remember to thank them for taking the time to read and consider your work. This may all seem like simple stuff, but I can’t stress how much of a difference it can make, and how it generally signals a sense of respect for the publisher or judge. 

5. Read 

This may sound like a no-brainer but it’s so important to keep up to speed with poetry that is being written today, so read around, go to the library and borrow library books or anthologies like the ones I’ve written about here, as they are great introductions to a wide range of writing. 

Last Thought

The last thing I would say is: go for it. While it’s important to edit your work and take your time, it’s also important not to let the moment pass you by, so when you think it’s ready and you feel like you’ve accomplished the five steps above, just go for it and hit send, or take your envelope to the Post Office. There is so much to be gained, even if you don’t win you might well get a note from a judge, or at least you’ll be able to reflect on what it was that maybe held your selection back. The process of publication is, by definition, making your work public, and that doesn’t just have to mean getting your work in print, but more broadly putting it into the public domain, such as reading it at an open mic, or entering into it a competition to be read by a judge. So, happy editing and good luck!

For a list of poetry competitions including pamphlet competitions follow this link to take you to the National Poetry Library’s listings.

Some other well known competitions are: 

The Poetry Business’s International Book and Pamphlet Competition

The Poetry London Pamphlet Prize

Magma Pamphlet Competition

Mslexia Pamphlet Competition