Verse Festival Poetry Forum, Stamford - self-publishing

2nd May - Poet Ross Ayres, poet Philip Dunkerley, and novelist and short-story writer Helen Claire Gould, plus panel chair columnist and broadcaster Pete (Cardinal) Cox discussed some of the many self-publishing options available. The meeting was in the Art Room, which had an interesting set of drawers.

Philip Dunkerley said that nearly all the poems in his books had been published elsewhere, peer-reviewed. His 80-page books work out at £3.17 each for lulu, PoD. 50 books cost £50.99 postage.

All the writers said that it's difficult to proof-read one's own work. Ross Ayres said that he uses chatgpt to do his proof-reading.

AI wasn't recommended for creating cover illustrations.

There was some talk about marketing. The majority of the panel weren't too concerned about selling copies - they produced books so that they had something to give to friends, or take to their readings.