Creating and selling your own poetry book can be a rewarding experience, but it does take some effort and planning. Here are some steps you can take to DIY publish your poetry book:
Write and edit your poems: This is the most important step. Make sure your poems are the best they can be before moving on to the next step.
Create a cover: Design a cover that will grab people's attention and accurately represents your work. You can hire a graphic designer, or use a tool like Canva to create a cover yourself.
Format your book: Decide on the layout and formatting of your book. You can use a pre-made template or create your own.
Print your book: You can either print your book yourself or use a print-on-demand service like Amazon's CreateSpace or IngramSpark.
Promote and sell your book: Once your book is printed, you'll need to promote it and sell it. You can sell your book on online marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy, or sell it at poetry readings or other events. You can also use social media platforms, like Instagram, to promote your book.
Copyright registration: This step is important if you want to legally protect your work. You can register your copyright online with the US Copyright Office.
ISBN: If you want your book to be available to bookstores, you'll need to purchase an ISBN.
It's worth noting that self-publishing can take a lot of time and effort, so make sure you're prepared for the process before diving in. Additionally, make sure to research the different options available to you, as they can vary greatly in cost and services.