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I've been writing and publishing poetry for over two decades and I can tell you honestly that trying to make a living as a poet is a highly unrealistic goal. Let's not delude ourselves. If you're thinking that you can pay the bills sitting in a room churning out poems everyday, you need a reality check. Most poets have day jobs and the rare few who don't are well-established in their careers and work very hard to promote themselves and eek out a living. That being said, there are opportunities for talented and enterprising poets:

1. PUBLICATION

Although the vast majority of literary magazines pay in contributor's copies rather than in cash, some do pay in small sums of money. You can also sell your poetry collections to royalty-paying publishers although this sound easier than it is. Another alternative is self-publication, however, you need to build a following and promote yourself rigorously in order to sell copies and make money.

2. POETRY READINGS

While open mics do not normally pay poets to read their work in public, a featured poet scheduled to read at a venue may be paid a certain amount of money for a public appearance. I've made as much as $250 doing this and as little as $25, but it varies. A well-known poet can make much more. Another way to make money from public appearances is to enter poetry slam competitions. Poetry slams typically offer a cash prize for the winner. To find information about poetry slams check out the PSI website. I also know a few poets who are street performers and get some donations for reading in the subway and on street corners.

3. CHAPBOOK COMPETITIONS

Although chapbook competition usually require a reading fee (usually $10-$20) for entering your manuscript into a competition, prizes normally include a cash prize as well as a publishing contract.

4. TEACHING

There's that old saying that "those who can't do, teach." Well, when it comes to poetry it is often the opposite because those who can do, have to teach to put food on the table. This often requires a Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing or a PhD. to teach at the college level or at least a Bachelor's to teach grade school. Established poets may also teach poetry writing workshops in schools, prisons, libraries, children's summer camps, etc. Other opportunities for teaching poetry are doing poetry therapy sessions for autistic children and cancer patients.

5. SONG LYRICS

You can transform your talent for poetry into a career writing song lyrics and commercial jingles. The late rapper Tupac Shukur, and rockers Marilyn Manson and Jim Morrison started out as poets. Other music stars often associated with poetry include Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith.

6. GREETING CARDS

Although not generally considered to be serious poetry, many writers make a decent living selling inspirational and humorous verse to greeting card companies.

And that's pretty much it. If you believe you are one of those lucky few who can earning a living from writing poetry, give it a shot. Just know that this is not "easy" money. Benevolant strangers are not going to back a dump-truck full of money up to your house. It takes talent, desire, conviction, confidence, elbow grease, and a gift for self-promotion to make it in any of the areas outlined above.

Learn more about this author, John Erianne.
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