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As every struggling poet knows, it's tricky to make a living solely on poetry. It's nearly impossible, thus forcing forth the idea of the "starving artist. But it isn't impossible if you are determined enough. Here are a few sure-shot ways to make some money with your poetry, specifically through literary journals, magazines, contests, and chapbooks.

1. Get your hands on the latest version of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, or both. These books are an industry standard, and for a good reason. They're chock full of magazines, literary journals, contests, and chapbook publishers looking for poetry. Not all of them pay, but a good number can afford to pay you. (Even if a literary journal, for example, accpets one of your poems but cannot afford to pay you anything more than a couple copies of the issue, the publication will still help your resume. Most high-paying publications look for poets who can say they've had experience in publishing, therefore helping sell your work.)

2. Submit, submit, submit. Stay focused. On Helium, the more articles you write, the more you get paid. With submitting manuscripts of poetry, the more places you submit to the greater your odds of acceptance will be.

3. Expect rejection, and don't let it get you down. It's inevitable that every writer recieve multiple rejections in their career. Don't take it personally, but don't ignore it either. It's not uncommon for editors to send you comments on rejected poems. Don't let them anger, frustrate, or upset you. It's your choice whether to use or disregard their comments to you, but at least consider them.

4. Be Professional. Format your manuscripts according to the guidelines in the front of Poet's Market. Write cover letters introducing yourself and your work. Follow simple guidelines like don't sound desperate, don't be an ass-kisser, don't use colorful envelopes, paper, and crazy fonts. Simple enough.

5. Get your name out there. Join poetry networking websites, go to and participate in poetry slams, and open mic nights and poetry readings. Share your poetry with your friends. Read other poets' work and be supportive of them, and don't be afraid to ask for support, advice, criticism in return.

6. Self-publish a chapbook (24-50 pgs.) of your best work. A great and popular place to do that for cheap is lulu.com. Advertise and sell copies of your chapbook to friends, in public, in libraries, and maybe even small book stores. Sell them to your family and friends, but make sure you sign copies to make it special and personal for them, so they know they aren't just wallets to you.

7. Believe in what you write. This may be the most important tip on this list. You may not think even your best poems are even half-decent, but at least believe in yourself as a poet. Love writing. Hate writing. Just write. Don't give up on your goal of being a paid poet.

Learn more about this author, Megan Deroche.
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