5 things I've learnt from publishing my first poetry collection

Reflections on launching Your tears fall like pearls

So the dust has settled 2 weeks after the book launch, and a flurry of activity. The flowers are still alive, just. The chocolates have been eaten. I’ve had lots of sleep.

You’ve heard alot from me over the last few weeks - so will try to keep this brief - no promises though.

5 things I’ve learnt over the past few weeks

1. Pubs are great places to hold a book launch

A few years ago, I went to poetry book launch held by Emma Press, a small independent press. Three newly published poets shared from their books in the cosy back room of a pub in Angel. It was a nice afternoon out, and I bought a couple of pamphlets after hearing the poets share.

Unknowingly, this became my mental template for book launches. I did very recently go to book launches for Jendella Benson’s last 2 books - one was in a library and the other in a bar, complete with free food, drinks and a DJ! This didn’t make an impact on my vision for the launch though.

I love pubs; they can be places of community and belonging, each with its unique character and way of celebrating the history of a place. I used to love seeing all the different pub signs as I travelled through the English countryside. Sadly, there is less and less of that these days.

More than one pub offered me a space for free, and one offered a room at a very low rate, as they all saw my book launch as a community event.

2. Book launches can be a lot of fun

To begin with I obsessed about the launch, frozen in the fear of getting it all horribly wrong. Chats with good friends and some good advice from the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLI) helped. Some authors who had published several books said they don’t bother with launches anymore and seemed to see it as something that sucked their time and money. That helped me let go of the idea of the perfect launch and focus on the rest of the process. I began to see it as just one part of the ‘marathon’ of promoting a book rather than the ‘be-all and end-all’.

Although now, with hindsight, it’s been hugely important in other ways; letting people know what I do and why I do it, feedback, and personally it’s been hugely affirming. Book launches can be whatever you want them to be, depending on what you are prepared to do (and pay!).

3. Err on the side of optimism

When I was looking at the venue, I estimated that roughly 20-30 people would come - it was hard to know. The first venue was quite large, the second venue was a bit dark and narrow, but the last venue at The Cherry Tree, was amazing. The Treehouse is self-contained a garden room at the bottom of the pub gardenn- the venue was perfect. (The Poddington peas theme tune runs through my head every time I say ‘bottom of the garden’! Does anyone remember that programme?).

I did underestimate the numbers and had to cap the event at 50 people, with more trying to register. About two-thirds of people who signed up came, so everybody could have come in the end; that was a shame.

4. Publication is just the beginning of the journey

This time last year, I had a vague goal of putting the book together in a few months. As time went on and it became clear that more and more was involved, the end date pushed further and further back. The middle section was tough-going and felt endless.

Eventually, the end was in sight, publication day came and then the book launch. As I spoke to people, the question about what was next started to come up, and so I began to realise that the book was only the beginning, its mere existence builds an expectation for more!

5. Becoming an author can earn you respect

I was a bit ambivalent about the title of the author, mainly because I self-published. I can only claim my own worth, whereas being chosen by a publisher gives you a bit more kudos since someone else has seen value in your work.

I kept Ethiopian poet Lemn Sissay, whom I admire, in mind. He used his employment benefits (back in the 80s) to self-publish his first book, and sold it to striking miners and used the money to start his working life after leaving the care system. The excitement about becoming an author from friends and family has been overwhelming and fascinating.

6. Bonus point: Your achievement spreads joy to others

So many people said they were proud of me - that was something I never expected as I plugged away every morning in solitude. I think the last time I was told that so much was when I graduated - I don’t think even that was as much as this!

I’m getting used to saying I’m an author - it’s others that are saying it more, but I think it solidifies my identity as a poet.

Coming up

Over the next few months, I’ll be getting out and about to open mics and continuing to promote the book and start thinking about the next project.

I’ll be a featured artist at Speak and Spoke open mic on Friday, 19 September 2025, so if you are anywhere near South London, come down.

Your tears fall like pearls is available on Amazon, Waterstones and The Great British Bookshop, if you haven’t got you copy already.

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Thanks for all your support, my Kindreds. With love, until next time.