becoming a poet..

tk2oo3 · 07-12-2003, 02:01 AM

what exactly do you think it takes to become a mainstream poet & actually sell poetry books n shit.. i have no clue so im kind of interested in this..

BlackSoultan Ad Infinitum · 07-12-2003, 02:08 AM

Mainstream poet? Seems like a paradox to me.

It takes slamming.

simple answer. Slamming, and creating a media packet. You need photos of yourself (professional headshots), video of your performances, audios professionally mixed, stuff like that.

There really is no "mainstream" poetry scene. It's still rather underground. Def Jam was going to come out with a poetry label (at least I think I remember Shihan saying that last I saw him) but the market really isn't there. Ever notice that the Def Poetry show is all reruns of last season? (That shit is getting on my nerves).

But you can have a career and make some decent money in the poetry underground. I say this because the best of the best: Saul Williams, Shihan, Sekou, Mike Connell, Medusa -- I mean the best ever -- still sell their own CD's out their trunks literally. They aren't signed, they're not even making the kind of money or pushing the kind of sales you see from like, a Sage Francis, Eyedea, Aesop, or any other lackluster selling phenomenal rap act.

As far as books? You will not sell a book. Making one is just for the sake of being published and saying you are. I plan on making one, but not to see any figures because I know I won't. I plan on doing it because I have to as per dictate of my soul.

If I do it for any reason, I'll end up with the notorious fame of say,

Edgar Allen Poe.

tk2oo3 · 07-12-2003, 02:14 AM

hmmm interesting, i dont really pay attention to poetry much so i only know edgar allen poe out of the people mentioned.. i think pac beats all mainstream poets money wise

& thats only cuz he came out as a rapper first.. what do you exactly mean by "decent" money?? how much would that be

Feme Sole · 07-12-2003, 05:43 AM

dont care

BlackSoultan Ad Infinitum · 07-12-2003, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk2oo3

hmmm interesting, i dont really pay attention to poetry much so i only know edgar allen poe out of the people mentioned.. i think pac beats all mainstream poets money wise

& thats only cuz he came out as a rapper first.. what do you exactly mean by "decent" money?? how much would that be

Poe died feeling suicidal and unfulfilled...

Vulkan'XL · 07-14-2003, 12:01 AM

Im with Sultan, there is no real poetry mainstream, just what you think of as a main circle of poets or those who you think of as poets that have branched off from other genres or areas...Ill drop more later!

iceheart · 07-14-2003, 03:48 AM

if you want to be published, submit some poems to the atlantic motnhly magazine - theyll put it in ther if it's good and if it gets in then it is GOOD (emphasis on good)

tk2oo3 · 07-14-2003, 01:26 PM

iceheart do you have the adress or somethin i dont know id be interested in sending in some pieces n shit maybe not now i still need to elevate but at some point..

iceheart · 07-14-2003, 05:34 PM

go to the website www.theatlantic.com and look at the poetry pages then look around - the address and submission rules are somewhere there, theyll tell you the specifics

peace
iceheart

skandelous_lala · 07-15-2003, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feme Sole

dont care

as simple as that, i see where she is coming from lol. i could never imagine using something so deep and personal to me for making money.

most poets don't become "famous" persay, until long after they are gone, and their work is discovered for what it actually was.

Cigma · 07-15-2003, 03:11 PM

I didn't even know you could make a poet...you just kind of become one.

It's about how you things, and how effective you are at communicating those thoughts and feelings.

lpoet · 07-17-2003, 02:06 PM

i am a poet

lewdDog · 08-06-2003, 01:41 AM

i think any1 who writes 4 a reason is a poet

Royal Sovereign · 08-06-2003, 05:18 AM

dont become a sell out..... doi it for the love and expression of emotion.

tk2oo3 · 08-06-2003, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royal Sovereign

dont become a sell out..... doi it for the love and expression of emotion.

i dont plan to sell out.. i jus wanna sell

JiHaD210 · 08-12-2003, 04:23 PM

JiHaD210 · 08-12-2003, 04:23 PM

ur lookin to do this for money.....thas not reel..thas like bein a rapper...

tk2oo3 · 08-12-2003, 04:31 PM

yea im lookin to be a rapper too.. who are you to judge whats real though you been through my pain or somethin or you even seen what im capable of.. an im jus startin in this shit its only goin up from there..

*Princess* · 08-12-2003, 04:56 PM

i agree with cigma.....i dont think you can make a poet...u just are one...and makin it in all the mainstream shit to me...just doesnt interest me, i'd rathe post my shit on here and other poerty forums and not get paid...i dont write for money...i write to let the reader know what im goin through or how i feel...i dunno bout anyone else..

tk2oo3 · 08-12-2003, 05:05 PM

yea a lotta people dont take this shit serious.. i do take it serious tho cuz i feel its the only path life left open for me its goin be that much harder for me to walk down that path but its all ive got.. but i mean wouldnt you people wanna take somethin you love & do it for a livin & be doin this shit on yo own time & the best part is you doin somethin you love & gettin paid for it.. you can work as hard as you want an it wont be like work to you..

07-12-2003, 02:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
tk2oo3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,082	becoming a poet.. what exactly do you think it takes to become a mainstream poet & actually sell poetry books n shit.. i have no clue so im kind of interested in this.. __________________ "Theres ten rules to the game, but ill share wit you two Know, niggaz goin hate you for whatever you do Now rule one, get yo cash on, M O B Thats, money over bitches, cuz they breed envy Now rule two is a hard one, watch fo phonies Keep yo enemies close nigga, watch yo homies" "Weak mothafuckaz dont deserve to breathe How many niggaz down to die for me"

07-12-2003, 02:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
BlackSoultan Ad Infinitum aka Billy Shoreview Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: San Fran to the Bahamas back to Cali in L.A. Posts: 17,465	Mainstream poet? Seems like a paradox to me. It takes slamming. simple answer. Slamming, and creating a media packet. You need photos of yourself (professional headshots), video of your performances, audios professionally mixed, stuff like that. There really is no "mainstream" poetry scene. It's still rather underground. Def Jam was going to come out with a poetry label (at least I think I remember Shihan saying that last I saw him) but the market really isn't there. Ever notice that the Def Poetry show is all reruns of last season? (That shit is getting on my nerves). But you can have a career and make some decent money in the poetry underground. I say this because the best of the best: Saul Williams, Shihan, Sekou, Mike Connell, Medusa -- I mean the best ever -- still sell their own CD's out their trunks literally. They aren't signed, they're not even making the kind of money or pushing the kind of sales you see from like, a Sage Francis, Eyedea, Aesop, or any other lackluster selling phenomenal rap act. As far as books? You will not sell a book. Making one is just for the sake of being published and saying you are. I plan on making one, but not to see any figures because I know I won't. I plan on doing it because I have to as per dictate of my soul. If I do it for any reason, I'll end up with the notorious fame of say, Edgar Allen Poe. __________________ http://www.soundclick.com/blacksoultan

07-12-2003, 02:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
tk2oo3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,082	hmmm interesting, i dont really pay attention to poetry much so i only know edgar allen poe out of the people mentioned.. i think pac beats all mainstream poets money wise & thats only cuz he came out as a rapper first.. what do you exactly mean by "decent" money?? how much would that be __________________ "Theres ten rules to the game, but ill share wit you two Know, niggaz goin hate you for whatever you do Now rule one, get yo cash on, M O B Thats, money over bitches, cuz they breed envy Now rule two is a hard one, watch fo phonies Keep yo enemies close nigga, watch yo homies" "Weak mothafuckaz dont deserve to breathe How many niggaz down to die for me"

07-12-2003, 05:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Feme Sole TheGirlWhoSoldTheWorld Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: i stay below the surface, breaking bread with worms, it's depravity, not gravity, that anchors flesh to earth Posts: 18,029	dont care __________________ Malo: let me put my middle finger in your monthly blood and paint a smile on your face love never gave me an orgasm Look at you unbelievably brilliant beautiful you you're looking deliciously divine darling you really and truly do

07-14-2003, 01:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
tk2oo3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,082	iceheart do you have the adress or somethin i dont know id be interested in sending in some pieces n shit maybe not now i still need to elevate but at some point.. __________________ "Theres ten rules to the game, but ill share wit you two Know, niggaz goin hate you for whatever you do Now rule one, get yo cash on, M O B Thats, money over bitches, cuz they breed envy Now rule two is a hard one, watch fo phonies Keep yo enemies close nigga, watch yo homies" "Weak mothafuckaz dont deserve to breathe How many niggaz down to die for me"

07-14-2003, 12:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
Vulkan'XL Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 80	Im with Sultan, there is no real poetry mainstream, just what you think of as a main circle of poets or those who you think of as poets that have branched off from other genres or areas...Ill drop more later!

07-15-2003, 03:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
Cigma Maxwell's Demon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX (Go Spurs!) Posts: 11,952	I didn't even know you could make a poet...you just kind of become one. It's about how you things, and how effective you are at communicating those thoughts and feelings. __________________ ···• MíÇ Infinite Alumni •··· ~)(~ RSTL RecorD 25 - 6 ~)(~ *Restless Nights Lead To Divine Insights Worlds Within The Flicker Of The Candlelight I Write.* Meek men make pussy powerful But words are things, and a small drop of ink,falling like dew,upon a thought, produces, that which **makes thousands, perhaps millions, think. - Lord Byron**

07-17-2003, 02:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
lpoet POET Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 12,672	i am a poet __________________ "SHE CAME BACK TO ME AND I PRAY SHE STAYS" --lpoet

08-06-2003, 01:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
lewdDog Life is are own illusion Join Date: May 2003 Location: long island Posts: 340	i think any1 who writes 4 a reason is a poet __________________ I define myself as unusual because I do what I think is right. I feel that there's a beautiful inspiration of wisdom waiting to evolve itself into it's full natural state in which it deserves to flourish but constantly ignoring the right decision to make too to continue this world of routine of struggle with my self only to believe in self worth Some things are better unsaid; so I write them instead http://www.myspace.com/lewddog

08-06-2003, 05:18 AM	#14 (permalink)
Royal Sovereign Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 29	dont become a sell out..... doi it for the love and expression of emotion.

08-12-2003, 04:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
JiHaD210 imma legend witout death Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: san antonio-funkytown-dallas-houston-austin-galveston Posts: 1,742	out __________________ "...For thou, O sage, goest wisely between these two creations like a friendly messenger between two hamlets." I be on that shit that have you on that "I don't want no mo" Family Guy > Simpsons > Boondocks > South Park > American Dad > Futurama

08-12-2003, 04:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
JiHaD210 imma legend witout death Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: san antonio-funkytown-dallas-houston-austin-galveston Posts: 1,742	ur lookin to do this for money.....thas not reel..thas like bein a rapper... __________________ "...For thou, O sage, goest wisely between these two creations like a friendly messenger between two hamlets." I be on that shit that have you on that "I don't want no mo" Family Guy > Simpsons > Boondocks > South Park > American Dad > Futurama

08-12-2003, 04:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
tk2oo3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,082	yea im lookin to be a rapper too.. who are you to judge whats real though you been through my pain or somethin or you even seen what im capable of.. an im jus startin in this shit its only goin up from there.. __________________ "Theres ten rules to the game, but ill share wit you two Know, niggaz goin hate you for whatever you do Now rule one, get yo cash on, M O B Thats, money over bitches, cuz they breed envy Now rule two is a hard one, watch fo phonies Keep yo enemies close nigga, watch yo homies" "Weak mothafuckaz dont deserve to breathe How many niggaz down to die for me"

08-12-2003, 04:56 PM	#19 (permalink)
Princess skantless bitch Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 591	i agree with cigma.....i dont think you can make a poet...u just are one...and makin it in all the mainstream shit to me...just doesnt interest me, i'd rathe post my shit on here and other poerty forums and not get paid...i dont write for money...i write to let the reader know what im goin through or how i feel...i dunno bout anyone else..

08-12-2003, 05:05 PM	#20 (permalink)
tk2oo3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,082	yea a lotta people dont take this shit serious.. i do take it serious tho cuz i feel its the only path life left open for me its goin be that much harder for me to walk down that path but its all ive got.. but i mean wouldnt you people wanna take somethin you love & do it for a livin & be doin this shit on yo own time & the best part is you doin somethin you love & gettin paid for it.. you can work as hard as you want an it wont be like work to you.. __________________ "Theres ten rules to the game, but ill share wit you two Know, niggaz goin hate you for whatever you do Now rule one, get yo cash on, M O B Thats, money over bitches, cuz they breed envy Now rule two is a hard one, watch fo phonies Keep yo enemies close nigga, watch yo homies" "Weak mothafuckaz dont deserve to breathe How many niggaz down to die for me"