Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: May I submit more than one manuscript?
Yes, but each submission must be accompanied by the submission fee.
Q 2: May I include poems from my published chapbooks?
Yes, but a maximum of 6 in total. Regardless of the number of chapbooks, it’s no more than 6 poems. Poems previously published in
a chapbook should be indicated as such on the Acknowledgments page. Include title of poem and title of chapbook.
Q 3: May I include poems from a previously published book?
Absolutely not.
Q 4: Are there any topics you’re not interested in?
Religious poetry, single form collection (e.g., all sonnets, all prose poems), a collection that is all ekphrastic poetry (we like ekphrastic,
but we also like variety). We have grown very tired of poems about poems. Also, we do not do translations, collaborative collections, reprints,
new and selecteds, or posthumous collections.
Q 5: Why do you suggest that at least 25-50% of the poems in my manuscript have been previously published?
Remember, that’s a suggestion. But we think it’s a good one. A history of publication lets us know that you’ve been out in the poetry world
doing the legwork of being a poet and building a readership. A list of journals that have published your work might become a list of journals
that might review your book.
Q 6: Why do you think that social media matters?
Absolutely yes, it matters. We feel so strongly about this that we now require our poets to belong to Facebook
at a minimum. It’s a great way to let “friends” know about your book. Plus, it’s free. Also, we promote our books
on Facebook. Your presence there extends our reach.
Q 7: Why do you require that each poet have a website?
We give each poet a page on our website, but we also require that each poet have a dedicated website. Again,
this shows a willingness on the part of the poet to work on behalf of his/her own book. We expect each poet’s
website to include readings and to be kept up to date.
Q 8: What if I don’t want to give readings?
If you are a poet who won’t do readings, please don’t submit to Terrapin Books. Readings are one of the main
opportunities for your book to sell. We expect our poets to actively seek out readings.
Q 9: Do your books have printed spines?
Yes.
Q 10: Why do you charge a reading fee?
We realize that some poets find such fees anathema, but we find the fee a financial necessity. However, our fee
is minimal and we plan to keep it that way. The fee helps cover the cost of our website, membership on
Submittable (a convenience for us and our poets), office supplies, some advertising, etc.
Q 11: Do you advertise your books?
We use social media to publicize books and we do an occasional ads. Our advertising budget is small,
but we are always on the lookout for opportunities to promote your book. We don’t just publish your book
and then forget about it.
Q 12: What’s the most common mistake poets make in submitting to Terrapin?
There’s the usual failure to read and follow the guidelines, but the most serious of the common mistakes
is poor organization of the poems. We find too many manuscripts that cluster similar poems together. That
often results in a predictable, tedious collection. We are seeing too many poems that reference the "poem."
This is so frequently done that it has become a cliche. Poems about poems do not interest us. Similarly, we
don't care for the word "poem" in the title of a poem.
Q 13: Why do you ask for a 4-6 sentence description of my manuscript?
We want to know if you know what your collection is about. If the statement is wildly disorganized,
your manuscript may lack focus. This gives us a starting point for any feedback we might want to
offer. If you can’t do the statement, it’s possible that your collection is not yet ready for submission.
Q 14: Do you provide feedback?
Sometimes but not always. If a manuscript came close, it’s likely we’ll have a few words to say.
But it’s not possible for us to offer at-length critiques.
Q 15: I don't want to revise. Do I have to?
If you are unwilling to accept editorial input, this is probably not the press for you. All accepted manuscripts are edited.
Yes, but each submission must be accompanied by the submission fee.
Q 2: May I include poems from my published chapbooks?
Yes, but a maximum of 6 in total. Regardless of the number of chapbooks, it’s no more than 6 poems. Poems previously published in
a chapbook should be indicated as such on the Acknowledgments page. Include title of poem and title of chapbook.
Q 3: May I include poems from a previously published book?
Absolutely not.
Q 4: Are there any topics you’re not interested in?
Religious poetry, single form collection (e.g., all sonnets, all prose poems), a collection that is all ekphrastic poetry (we like ekphrastic,
but we also like variety). We have grown very tired of poems about poems. Also, we do not do translations, collaborative collections, reprints,
new and selecteds, or posthumous collections.
Q 5: Why do you suggest that at least 25-50% of the poems in my manuscript have been previously published?
Remember, that’s a suggestion. But we think it’s a good one. A history of publication lets us know that you’ve been out in the poetry world
doing the legwork of being a poet and building a readership. A list of journals that have published your work might become a list of journals
that might review your book.
Q 6: Why do you think that social media matters?
Absolutely yes, it matters. We feel so strongly about this that we now require our poets to belong to Facebook
at a minimum. It’s a great way to let “friends” know about your book. Plus, it’s free. Also, we promote our books
on Facebook. Your presence there extends our reach.
Q 7: Why do you require that each poet have a website?
We give each poet a page on our website, but we also require that each poet have a dedicated website. Again,
this shows a willingness on the part of the poet to work on behalf of his/her own book. We expect each poet’s
website to include readings and to be kept up to date.
Q 8: What if I don’t want to give readings?
If you are a poet who won’t do readings, please don’t submit to Terrapin Books. Readings are one of the main
opportunities for your book to sell. We expect our poets to actively seek out readings.
Q 9: Do your books have printed spines?
Yes.
Q 10: Why do you charge a reading fee?
We realize that some poets find such fees anathema, but we find the fee a financial necessity. However, our fee
is minimal and we plan to keep it that way. The fee helps cover the cost of our website, membership on
Submittable (a convenience for us and our poets), office supplies, some advertising, etc.
Q 11: Do you advertise your books?
We use social media to publicize books and we do an occasional ads. Our advertising budget is small,
but we are always on the lookout for opportunities to promote your book. We don’t just publish your book
and then forget about it.
Q 12: What’s the most common mistake poets make in submitting to Terrapin?
There’s the usual failure to read and follow the guidelines, but the most serious of the common mistakes
is poor organization of the poems. We find too many manuscripts that cluster similar poems together. That
often results in a predictable, tedious collection. We are seeing too many poems that reference the "poem."
This is so frequently done that it has become a cliche. Poems about poems do not interest us. Similarly, we
don't care for the word "poem" in the title of a poem.
Q 13: Why do you ask for a 4-6 sentence description of my manuscript?
We want to know if you know what your collection is about. If the statement is wildly disorganized,
your manuscript may lack focus. This gives us a starting point for any feedback we might want to
offer. If you can’t do the statement, it’s possible that your collection is not yet ready for submission.
Q 14: Do you provide feedback?
Sometimes but not always. If a manuscript came close, it’s likely we’ll have a few words to say.
But it’s not possible for us to offer at-length critiques.
Q 15: I don't want to revise. Do I have to?
If you are unwilling to accept editorial input, this is probably not the press for you. All accepted manuscripts are edited.
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