[stylist] still contemplating publishing that poetry book

[Barbara Hammel]

I know there are a few poets here who have published books.  I am trying to screw up the courage to put together a book and try my hand at it.  I know I’ve asked many times about this but I’ll ask again because the contributors of this list has changed a bit, I think, since last time I asked.  Is it more likely to grab someone’s attention if it is a book on a certain topic or just a collection of everything?  When I go looking for books, it depends on my mood.  I guess this is just a conscious stream of babble, because the more I think about it, the more I realize that, for me, if I want a collection on a certain topic, I enjoy anthologies.  If I want a certain author, I assume it will be a collection of various topics and styles.  Now that I have that part solved, LOL! on to how does one decide what to put in their collection?
I think I want it to be more than a little chapbook like the one I put together and sold as a small fundraiser which contained thoughts and feelings, remembrances and fears for what used to be the Iowa Braille School.
Barbara

Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down.--Robert Frost