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Making a Poetry Book

From the initial inspiration to the final creation of a book of poetry are several steps you will have to follow. It can be a difficult and daunting task, as composing even a single poem can take weeks. Still, those who dedicate themselves to compiling a book of poetry will feel rewarded when they hold the final result in their hand.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find inspiration for your poems. Base your collection's poems around a certain theme, such as love, despair and relationships, friendly or romantic. Drawing on your own life experiences will enhance your poems' originality and authentic voice.

    • 2

      Write the manuscript, using the same font on your word processor for each poem. Also, create a contents list and a copyright page to add before the main part of your book. Use a simpler font for these sections.

    • 3

      Edit the content to fit on a 5.5x8.5 or 6x9 page, which are the most common -- and practical -- sizes of books. Leave white space between the poems and the four margins of the page. Count the pages and complete the contents section.

    • 4

      Proofread your book's content for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Ask a friend to assist you, as she might find mistakes you overlooked.

    • 5

      Create a cover for your book. It must mention the title of your poetry collection and your name. If there is a picture, it has to relate to the theme of your poems. Choose clip art or stock photos, or draw a simple picture of your own.

    • 6

      Choose how you want your book to be printed. A chapbook, printed on 8.5x11 paper, folded in half with a cardstock cover and stapled together, is the cheapest choice and available in most printing centers. Other options are typical soft- or hardcover books, for which you will have to refer to specialized book printers.

Poetry

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