While the work belongs to the author, publishing involves a responsibility on the editor’s part to seek weaknesses to be strengthened and strengths to be developed. For example, an editor considers whether the order of poems in the collection gives the reader a full experience of each of the poems and of the collection as a whole, and whether the wording is as strong as it can be.
We have final say on design and cover, but we consult with the author and would be very unlikely to go to press with a cover the author doesn’t like. Nina Murray, CR author of Alcestis in the Underworld, shares some thoughts on the process here.
Circling Rivers books are available via Ingram to booksellers. This doesn’t mean, however, that booksellers will carry the book, especially if the author doesn’t have a large following. See our thoughts on finding readers here.
We send copies to reviewers, including major media such as NY Times and literary journals. Getting reviews is very competitive, but Circling Rivers is working to build connections that will make our books stand out among the heaps that reviewers get on a daily basis.
Sometimes a book gets a big prize or a review in a major publication. On the whole, though, we’ve found that poets drive their own sales with readings, social media, their own outreach, and community. While we don’t arrange or pay for events like readings, book festivals, etc, we are very glad to help publicize them through our newsletter and social media. We count on our authors to let us know any way that we can help promote their book.