Comments on: 9 Essential Poetry Manuscript Format Tips to Get Published

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:06:16 +0000

Thank you for freely sharing the editable manuscript! What an excellent resource!

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 18:58:09 +0000

Thank you for this incredible post. You have removed much of the guesswork that I had. I appreciate your dedication to the craft.

By: Poornima

Poornima — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 21:53:52 +0000

Hi Sean
I have question. I am working on a poetry book. It will be my first. I want to try getting it published rather than going for self publication. If the poetry book is like a story and divided in a few sections like 3-4 and the idea is to have illustrations.
My question is about including illustrations or details of illustrations – is this done in manuscript? Do publishers want to see the illustrations also at this stage?

By: Sean Glatch

Sean Glatch — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 13:41:33 +0000

In reply to Eileen Moss. My pleasure, Eileen, best of luck!

By: Eileen Moss

Eileen Moss — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 11:42:51 +0000

In reply to Sean Glatch.

Sean this is wonderful information as I continue working on my book!

I will also sign up for your newsletter!.

Thanks so much!

Eileen

By: Kat

Kat — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 03:21:40 +0000

Hi there!

This website was so useful in getting my manuscript up to snuff!

My goal is to publish this with some of my illustrations on the pages as it pertains to my work. My question is, for a first publication is this possible?

I found using the Pages app on my mac easily allows me to design the book pages exactly to my liking but I do not believe this is a valid format when submitting the book to a publisher.

I have not been able to find any information on this anywhere, so I appreciate any insight in advance.

By: Carah

Carah — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 07:02:17 +0000

I have seen some poets sign their name after every poem. Why do they do this? Is it a stylistic choice and something I should do as well? I know its good for instagram and social media posts when people take pictures of poems… but I wasn’t sure if it was okay to do in a manuscript.

By: Sean Glatch

Sean Glatch — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:37:38 +0000

In reply to Chris E. Best of luck, Chris!

By: Chris E

Chris E — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 02:54:26 +0000

Thanks for this awesome post Sean, it’s a lifesaver, I just finished submitting my manuscript to a publisher. Wish me luck!

By: Sean Glatch

Sean Glatch — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 13:11:28 +0000

In reply to Laura Hanke.

Hi Laura,

A chapbook typically has no more than 48 pages of poetry. 🙂

Sean