Non-traditional Ways to Shop for Poetry

If you’re a poetry enthusiast, you’re probably always building your collection of poetry books. Maybe, however, you’d like shopping options other than Amazon or other large chains. To help, here are some non-traditional ways to shop for poetry you probably haven’t considered.

Thrift shops

Thrift shops can be book treasure troves. While rifling through thrift store books, you never know what poetry collections you might discover. Perhaps you’ll even find a poetry book you’ve been meaning to purchase or an edition of a classic you’ve always loved. 

Tip: the more often you visit thrift stores, the more likely you’ll snag great finds. Or, thrift from the comfort of your own home with these online thrift stores.

Etsy

Etsy’s not just a website for artists—you can also find beautiful poetry prints on Etsy. Whether you support an independent poet or simply purchase prints of classic poems, Etsy is the perfect place to browse for poetry prints. Poetry decor allows you to frequently read poems—as you pass by a print in your home, you’ll feel inspired, calm, or wistful. You might even buy prints to decorate a cozy writing space this fall. 

Magazines and journals

Poetry publications are filled with poems from independent, well-known, or even early-career poets. Whether you subscribe to Poetry Foundation’s acclaimed magazine or an artistic indie journal, poetry magazines and journals are an unconventional way to buy poetry. You can also often get a subscription, and always have fresh poetry in the mail. Plus, you’ll constantly find new and interesting poets whose work you connect with. 

Poetry events

Poetry events like spoken word nights, poet talks, or even poetry festivals are a great way to support poets, but you can also purchase writers’ collections at these gatherings as well. Your local coffee shop, bookstore, or university likely has an upcoming spoken word event or poet talk you can attend. 

Although poetry festivals might be more difficult to find near you, especially if you don’t live in a city, why not road trip with a few friends for a weekend? Poetry (or just book) festivals provide both entertainment and an opportunity to connect with poets who might be selling their collections. For more info about poetry festivals, check out this guide from last year’s NYC Poetry Festival.

Library book sales

Did you know libraries occasionally hold book sales? Why not shop for affordable poetry collections while supporting your local library? Research libraries near you to see if and when they have book sales. Ask some friends to join you and shop together!

Attend a book swap

Shop poetry for free at a book swap! Attend a local swap or organize one yourself. Maybe you’ll collaborate with friends, your book club, or your writers’ group. Perhaps you’ll simply hold an online swap with your social media community. 

There are so many ways to shop for poetry. Whether you visit your local thrift store multiple times a week or organize a book swap, hopefully, this list inspired you to find your next collections in an unconventional way.