How to make the leap to full-time poet

For 16 years, despite earning a poetry MA and having a decent track record of being paid for my published poems, I poured most of my energy into a day job as a national newspaper reporter. While bringing up my children, I enjoyed the diversion of journalism. I still scribbled my poems whenever and wherever I could, but while the reporting and parenting went on, my creative muse fell to the back of the queue. As time passed, I realized that refocusing on my poetry was essential to my happiness. I knew I had the skills and experience necessary to be a “professional poet”—someone making a living from writing, critiquing, and teaching poetry—I just wasn’t sure how to make the leap, practically speaking.
Before I launch into things, it’s important to note that the field of poetry is currently booming in Britain (where I live), and that there are a number of paid opportunities here for poets. There are grants from the government’s Arts Council and the National Lottery, and competitions and paid reading slots are available across the country. Additionally, many people want to learn to read and write poetry, so myriad institutions now offer creative writing courses that need teachers and experienced tutors to facilitate. The UK’s thriving poetry scene and generous support for the arts means it is possible for me to earn a living as a working poet in 2019, but these types of opportunities may vary based on where you live, so it’s worth doing the research to understand your situation before you decide to make the leap yourself.

That said, I hope this guide might be useful for any person considering the daunting yet exciting leap from the safety of a salaried role into life as a freelance artist.