How do I submit a collection of poetry for publication?

[Guest]

I’m aware I’ll probably need an agent and to get one I’d need to write them a query letter, it honestly the last agent I had pushed themself on me so actually seeking one out is new to me.

I don't know how to find a list of agents that deal in poetry, or can you submit directly to a publication house?

[Gary]

Books by respected poets often sell 200 to 500 copies and in some cases by famous poets may sell a thousand to 2,000 copies or a little more. A very few poets in every generation are hyped up by Media or reputation in some way that their book sale considerably more copies.

[Gary]

I believe that very few agents handle poetry authors. I think it is generally believed that an agent would find it impossible to make a living agenting books of poetry. Agents who have clients for best selling novelist find that when the novelist also writes a book of poetry that's the agent will be willing to handle that author spoke of poetry.

There are perhaps between five and a dozen poets in a generation who make very good money writing poetry.

A number of respected poets make a living lecturing and selling copies their own book and teaching because of their reputations as poets.