Sapling: Tell us about the process of getting your book published. Did you enter contests? Open reading periods? What transpired between sending the manuscript out initially and its acceptance by your publisher?
Jules Jacob: In its inception, Kingdom of Glass & Seed was a chapbook-length collection of twenty-six poems. It was submitted under a different title to ten contests and several open reading periods between 2015 and 2017 and received a few positive responses, but no publication offers. In 2017, a fellow poet who also had a special interest in toxic and injurious plants invited me to collaborate on a collection of poems after reading published poems from the chapbook that spoke to the creative/destructive duality in humans and nature via poisonous plants. I agreed to collaborate and pulled the poisonous plant poems from my collection, which I decided to turn into a full-length collection—the future Kingdom of Glass & Seed. Between 2020 and 2022, I entered Kingdom of Glass & Seed in two contests and five open reading periods. Rather than entering more contests, I invested time and money in editing workshops, a manuscript critique, and two manuscript conferences, one by invitation from Lily Poetry Review Books Editor, Eileen Cleary, who accepted the manuscript in September 2022 through their open reading period.
Sapling: What was your experience with the editing of the manuscript? Did you have an opportunity to make revisions either at your own suggestion or at the suggestion of your editor? How involved were you in the design aspects of the book's production (cover image, design, etc.)?
JJ: Editing revisions during the manuscript critique were made by Lily Poetry Review Books Editor, Eileen Cleary. I had opportunities to make collaborative revisions of individual poems and the manuscript during workshops before acceptance and through six proof rounds with Eileen Cleary after acceptance. I suggested an idea for the cover based on an extraordinary flower featured in my poem, “Recycling the life of Pi.” Lily Poetry Review designer Martha McCullough embraced the idea and designed three cover choices.
Sapling: Did you publish any excerpts in literary journals or other periodicals before the publication of your book? If so, did this seem like a necessary part of the process for this project?
JJ: Over sixty percent of the poems in Kingdom of Glass & Seed were previously published in journals, magazines, and anthologies. It may not be necessary, but it helps to have previous publications. Many presses have a minimum percentage requirement for previously published poems—I’ve seen from twenty-five to fifty percent. Other presses don’t include requirements
for previously published poems, but nearly all ask for an acknowledgments page in their guidelines.
Sapling: In what ways have you been involved in the publicity and promotion of your book thus far? In what ways is your publisher helping you with marketing your book?
JJ: I’ve promoted Kingdom of Glass & Seed on my website, julesjacob.com, social media platforms, and contact list through MailChimp. Readings have been scheduled by Lily Poetry Review on October 20th during my virtual book launch and at AWP 2024 in Kansas City. In addition to setting up a virtual book launch, my publisher has promoted the book on their website and social media platforms. I’m working on scheduling readings in Missouri, where I currently live, my native state, Colorado, and New England, where I spend part of each summer.
Sapling: What are some things that surprised you about the process of getting your book published? Is there anything you wished you'd known beforehand about putting a book out into the world?
JJ: I was surprised by how quickly time passed between the book’s acceptance in September 2022 and the official launch date of October 8, 2023. I wish I’d known other poets and writers—sometimes strangers and ones you barely know—offer support and encouragement when you least expect it.
