Uhlanga Press, South Africa’s leading independent poetry publisher, has released a comprehensive guide for poets considering self-publication. The resource, titled “These Notes Are Yours,” offers candid insights from a publisher that has championed some of the continent’s most significant poetic voices. Rather than discouraging self-publication, Uhlanga approaches the topic with generosity, acknowledging that traditional publishing doesn’t serve every poet’s needs or timeline.

The guide covers essential practical considerations, from design and printing to distribution and marketing, while maintaining realistic expectations about what self-publication entails. Uhlanga emphasizes that successful self-publishing requires substantial investment of time, money, and energy, often without financial return. The press acknowledges that while some poets thrive in the DIY model, others may find the business aspects overwhelming. Importantly, they distinguish between self-publishing and vanity publishing, warning against predatory services that exploit emerging writers.

Whether poets ultimately choose traditional, independent, or self-publishing routes, Uhlanga’s notes provide a grounded starting point for understanding what each path demands.

Read the full guide here.