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Can a short collection be risky?

in Poetry Discussion

I am almost done with my work and I don't see it being any longer than 100 pages. I honestly did not want it to reach past 50. Only because I want to add a surprise in the ending. I am very confident in my upcoming piece. It will be all my very best work chosen from throughout this year. It will still involve a fluent story. I am on the edge constantly trying to play the cards right. I can't wait to share in the future.

What are your opinions on small collections? Are there cards to be played right?

2 comments

Comments (2)

Chris Scott

Jul 21, 2021

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Thanks Adam. I was overthinking this😂 and very true, I'll know when its done! Just have to let time do its thing! I really do need to thicken my book shelf. I have some of the classics like Edgar and Wordsworth. I recently picked up some Donald Hall as well. I'll get to shopping! thanks for the reply and have a great day.

Adam Gary

Jul 21, 2021

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Hi Chris,

Personally I think having 100 pages is perfect for a collection... having read many for YouTube and personal reading. I'm on 130 pages (not necessarily poems I add) for my latest collection and don't want to go any further than that. You definitely don't want too many and drag things on. Why not pick up a bunch of your favourite collections... classics, modern, and most importantly at least 3 debut books if you have them and see what the general consensus is?

Have you considered chapbooks? Having said all of this, a huge key to this madness is a shift in mindset and not to overthink things, though it is easy. If your work is good, which I'm sure it will be, nobody will be counting the pages 😉 Also, it will all come down to your trim size and formatting etc too!

When the book is complete, you'll know.