To publish or not to publish

[kurt_messick]

I have an opportunity to publish a new book of poetry.

This would be a reprint of my 1980s book (I think it was 1987); expanded with new material.

My problem:

I don't like the poetry any more. I know it isn't great literature (of course, most published things aren't); should I let it get published anyway (because try as I might, I'm never going to be a Byron, Marlowe, Keats, or any such...)?

[AuntieEmma[$]]

Would you be embarrassed to see the book in a store?

Do you dislike your old poems because you objectively think they're not so hot, or are you being self-deprecating? Or are you just tired of them now? Does it matter that there would be new material in there -- would that make it worth it?

It sounds like someone approached you about republishing the book. So they must have thought the poems were good. Do you trust their judgment?

[frazzledspice]

Do you have the possibility of revising or adding to the poetry?

If not, and you really don't want it republished, don't do it.

I have a friend who, after getting her MFA in photojournalism, had a book of photographs and essays published about the Iowa farm country where she grew up.

The publisher liked it so much that he wanted to publish several different versions--pretending in one that it was Nebraska country, in another that it was South Dakota country, etc.

It probably would have garnered more profit for her, but she really thought that was a tacky idea (and so did I.)

[argonut]

... the best way to show growth of style, form and substance is to put new material next to your old material.

My two cents...


-J

ps Congratulations on getting the publication offer!