The publishing industry has been hard hit in the last few years, and perhaps nowhere does it show more than in poetry. Exclusive poetry publishers are few, and poetry divisions at publishing houses have downsized considerably. Rather than give up in despair, though, would-be poets have found a solution: the chapbook.
What Is a Chapbook?
A chapbook is a small (pocket-sized), inexpensive book that originated in 16th-century Europe and traditionally held verses, ballads, nursery rhymes, children’s stories, and other tales springing from folklore. They got their name from the peddlers and merchants who sold them, called “chapmen”.
Today, the term “chapbook” commonly refers to a slim, cheaply produced collection of poetry. This may be self-published or produced by a poetry chapbook publisher.
How Does One Create a Chapbook?
Chapbooks can be just about any size, but usually they are 5.5”x8.5”, which is basically a standard sheet of paper folded in half. Most chapbooks are stapled along the fold, though some may be hand-stitched. Originally, chapbooks had no cover, but nowadays, most include of a cover of heavy cardstock.
Because they are so simple, chapbooks are easy to create with just a word processing program and a printer. Change the page view to landscape and select the option that prints two pages per sheet of paper. Enter the poems as they should appear in the book. Some people also include a copyright page or a brief biography, and some also include an author photo. If any of the poems have been previously published or have been accepted for publication by a poetry journal, it is considered good form to note this on a separate page, as well.
The trickiest part of printing a chapbook is ensuring the pages come out in the right order, but newer printers with two-sided printing capabilities can make even this step simple.
If you are producing a chapbook in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher, the League of Canadian Poets offers links to chapbook templates for these programs.
Where Does One Find a Chapbook Publisher?
For those who want a more professional look, a poetry chapbook publisher can produce a quality book for a reasonable price. Many small presses publish chapbooks as part of their title lists, and there are presses that publish poetry chapbooks exclusively. The Internet is a great place to start a search for a poetry chapbook publisher. Most operate Web pages because they are an inexpensive way to advertise and conduct business. They may also be listed in the local phonebook, and local bookstores and libraries may also have listings.
Most chapbook publishers charge poets to publish their works, much like a vanity press. Some include sales support as part of their services, but most simply turn the copies over to the poet for distribution. For this reason, print runs tend to be small, and most poets opt for simple black-and-white printing. Some chapbook publishers offer cover and text templates to help keep costs low.
Where are Chapbooks Sold?
Chapbooks usually sell for between $5 and $10. Poets may sell them at their local bookstore or library, or offer them for sale at poetry reading events. They may also give them to family and friends. Poets with their own Web pages may also choose to sell their chapbooks via e-commerce, though this often entails additional effort for mailing and accepting payments.
Chapbooks can be a great way for beginning poets to publish a small collection of their work for family, friends, and fans. Thanks to advanced word processing programs and computer printing technology, almost anyone can produce a chapbook in a home office. For those who prefer a slightly more professional chapbook — and don’t mind making a modest investment up front — a wealth of small chapbook publishers can be found through the Internet and local business listings.
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