Talk:Chapbooks

I originally wrote the article (chapbooks) thinking I had not and could not find any more information on the subject of chapbooks. However, upon searching for chapbook after I submitted chapbooks, I was astounded by the much and far better article under the singular, and probably correct, article name. I assume that deleting my chapbooks article and redirecting the title page to the correct one would be the proper method of correction, but am I permitted to do this myself?
 * Mike 14:54, 30 March 2006 (UTC)
 * Go ahead. Copy the extra info from the other article into this and redirect from there to this. --Soumyasch 14:56, 30 March 2006 (UTC)
 * I have had to stomp on a number of people who had created "forks" like this. One feels much better when the culprits realise themselves. Well done, Mike and yes, you should have created the redirect to chapbook - the Wikipedia motto is "be bold". Oh, and welcome. -- RHaworth 18:32, 30 March 2006 (UTC)
 * My apologies to all on the mix up. I took Soumyasch's direction literally and redirected "my" chapbooks to this TalkPage, when I had originally redirected it to the first chapbook article. Upon re-reading Soum's above recommendation, I assumed it meant to redirect my page to this TalkPage, so I re-redirected. And now you, RHaworth, have re-re-redirected it! All seems clean and settled. I will certainly use finer eyes and search methods when looking to write up a new article. I do feel quite welcome thanks to the help I've gotten! Much appreciated. I'm hooked and learning so much so fast. I really want to be a useful part of this. --Mike 10:48, 31 March 2006 (UTC)

''Below is my original article entry for chapbooks. Chapbooks now redirects here to Talk:Chapbooks'' --Mike 15:22, 30 March 2006 (UTC)
 * now redirects to chapbook. -- RHaworth 18:32, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

Chapbooks are collections of poetry and/or prose most generally self-published by poets and writers.

Most chapbooks are made inexpensively at local self- and full-service copy facilities and consist of white or colored 20 to 24 weight 8 1/2" by 11" paper for the inner pages, and a thicker cardstock is then used as the cover. The pages are folded in half, landscape or portrait, then stapled twice along the spine. The average sample includes anywhere from one to 50 poems, contact information and thank yous.

The chapbook has been the primary merchandising staple for most poets involved in poetry slam, especially those who tour to venues outside of their own region as it gives them another source of income to help cover meals and travel. It is also a valuable trade commodity for poets who wish to share their work with other poets who have produced their own chapbooks.

In the 1800s, some smaller publishers and printers used the chapbook format to publish children's stories and tales of the Old West. In the last century, universities and colleges have published chapbooks of the poetic works of notable students, alumnus, and professors.

While very few chapbooks tend to receive the attention of larger publishing houses, some notable poets have had their original chapbooks re-published as softcover books. Poet and hip hop artist Saul Williams had his chapbook S√he re-printed through MTV Books, as have other performance poets and former slam poets through other publishers.

Until the turn of the 21st century, the chapbook was by far the most efficient way to self-publish one's poetry. Technological advances in recording and compact disc duplication have made the spoken word album much easier to produce. With the cost of the production of a CD not much higher than a chapbook, poets are finding themselves at a crossroads wondering which product will best suit their merchandising needs. The future of the chapbook will depend on the demand for printed poetry versus recorded poetry through any of the various audio formats currently available. With the advent of the mp3, and other easily transferable audio and video media, it is possible that the chapbook could become the more expensive route in terms of poetic self-promotion. Category:Books Category:Poetry collections Category:Self publishing Category:Self promotion Category:Do it yourself