Merriam Webster defines chapbook as a small book containing ballads, poems, tales, or tracts. The first known use of the word chapbook was in 1775. The word derives from the Old English for trade. These small books, or pamphlets, were sold by traveling peddlers known as chapmen. These peddlers carried their books from town to town, selling them for twopence or threepence. The books were inexpensive and widely sold, mostly to people who could not afford books. These were paper-covered booklets printed on a single sheet of paper folded into 8, 12, 16, or 24 pages. In Spain, they were known as pliegos sueltos, which translates roughly to "loose sheets."
Today, we use the term chapbook to describe a small, inexpensive publication of 20-40 pages. These books are mostly associated with poetry but can contain fiction with or without art. Chapbooks are shorter and less expensive than full-length books of poetry and are a way to make poetry accessible to a broader audience. There is also a subcategory called micro-chapbooks that are usually about 10 pages. Many famous poets, like Ted Hughes, Langston Hughes, Allen Ginsberg, and T. S. Eliot published chapbooks.
Sometimes, in the publishing world, a chapbook is referred to as a poet’s calling card: a way for a poet to introduce her/himself to the world. Poet Jackie Kay writes: “[chapbooks] are the connoisseur's version of a very tasty starter. Straight away, they give you a sense of somebody, an idea of their voice, just enough to make you know that you'd like more — or not.” Chapbooks are often thought of way for a poet to advance their career as a poet.
I hope you will take a look at my chapbook, Molten Muse. I look forward to discussing any aspects of the book with you. Feel free to contact me via this website. Here is the author-page and preorder link: https://www.claresongbirdspub.com/featured-authors/kenneth-johnson/
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