frequently asked questions.
Where are you currently posting online these days?
I maintain accounts on instagram and tiktok under the name @tristamateer. I come and go but I'm always lurking. Technically I'm also on twitter under @tristamateer but I debate deleting it daily.
Are you represented by a literary agent?
Not currently. (For context: you need an agent to work with big traditional publishers but not for self-publishing or working with smaller publishers or presses.)
Do you have a publisher? And/or who have you worked with?
I currently have a few poetry collections in print with Central Avenue Publishing. I've worked with publishers of various sizes, traditional (Random House) through small press (Words Dance, Where Are You Press, etc.). I still self-publish as well.
How did you get published?
I yelled about my feelings for a really long time on the internet until people started paying attention. I spent years developing my voice and writing and networking and building strong social media platforms. I also self-published first and won the Goodreads Choice award in 2015 for poetry, catching the attention of multiple publishers. I later sought out an agent for working with larger publishers.
What do you think of self-publishing?
It's a totally valid way to get your work out in the world. It's a lot of work though. More than people think. All the design and marketing, the whole business side of publishing is on you as well as the creative side. A lot of writers have found immense success with it, but it doesn't work for everyone and it definitely doesn't work if you're not willing to put the effort in.
How did you self-publish?
I used Createspace formerly, now KDP. It's pretty self explanatory. I just suggest (unless you're an artist yourself) always paying for original cover art and paying for editing, as well as having multiple people beta-read your book. Don't just throw it out into the world.
First place you shared your work online?
... Neopets.com. First place I became known for poetry under my own name was Tumblr.
Favorite poets/writers?
Richard Siken, Andrea Gibson, Natalie Wee, Warsan Shire, Mary Oliver, Clementine von Radics, Holly Black, Tamora Pierce, etc.
Do you write anything aside from poetry?
Most of what I have published is considered poetry, but yes. I have short modern-fantasy fiction published in the anthology [Dis]Connected: Poems & Stories of Connection and Otherwise. I'm also working currently on multiple non-poetry projects but I can't really talk about them yet!
What age did you start writing?
Fiction, 12. With poetry I dabbled around 16 but committed around 22.
Do you accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No. If you're looking for general feedback, offer copies of your book to bloggers or followers. If you want targeted and cohesive commentary or direction, you'll have to pay for it but you can seek out editors or beta readers or sensitivity readers.
Are you available for blurbs?
Yes! Use my contact form to get in touch with me.
Are you available for interviews?
Yes! Please use my contact form or email me.
What's next for you?
I'm multitasking on a few different projects but I'd like to branch out and publish other things in addition to poetry!
I maintain accounts on instagram and tiktok under the name @tristamateer. I come and go but I'm always lurking. Technically I'm also on twitter under @tristamateer but I debate deleting it daily.
Are you represented by a literary agent?
Not currently. (For context: you need an agent to work with big traditional publishers but not for self-publishing or working with smaller publishers or presses.)
Do you have a publisher? And/or who have you worked with?
I currently have a few poetry collections in print with Central Avenue Publishing. I've worked with publishers of various sizes, traditional (Random House) through small press (Words Dance, Where Are You Press, etc.). I still self-publish as well.
How did you get published?
I yelled about my feelings for a really long time on the internet until people started paying attention. I spent years developing my voice and writing and networking and building strong social media platforms. I also self-published first and won the Goodreads Choice award in 2015 for poetry, catching the attention of multiple publishers. I later sought out an agent for working with larger publishers.
What do you think of self-publishing?
It's a totally valid way to get your work out in the world. It's a lot of work though. More than people think. All the design and marketing, the whole business side of publishing is on you as well as the creative side. A lot of writers have found immense success with it, but it doesn't work for everyone and it definitely doesn't work if you're not willing to put the effort in.
How did you self-publish?
I used Createspace formerly, now KDP. It's pretty self explanatory. I just suggest (unless you're an artist yourself) always paying for original cover art and paying for editing, as well as having multiple people beta-read your book. Don't just throw it out into the world.
First place you shared your work online?
... Neopets.com. First place I became known for poetry under my own name was Tumblr.
Favorite poets/writers?
Richard Siken, Andrea Gibson, Natalie Wee, Warsan Shire, Mary Oliver, Clementine von Radics, Holly Black, Tamora Pierce, etc.
Do you write anything aside from poetry?
Most of what I have published is considered poetry, but yes. I have short modern-fantasy fiction published in the anthology [Dis]Connected: Poems & Stories of Connection and Otherwise. I'm also working currently on multiple non-poetry projects but I can't really talk about them yet!
What age did you start writing?
Fiction, 12. With poetry I dabbled around 16 but committed around 22.
Do you accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No. If you're looking for general feedback, offer copies of your book to bloggers or followers. If you want targeted and cohesive commentary or direction, you'll have to pay for it but you can seek out editors or beta readers or sensitivity readers.
Are you available for blurbs?
Yes! Use my contact form to get in touch with me.
Are you available for interviews?
Yes! Please use my contact form or email me.
What's next for you?
I'm multitasking on a few different projects but I'd like to branch out and publish other things in addition to poetry!