While I was exploring the formatting of my dragon poetry collection (ebook version first), I suddenly felt the urge to tackle something smaller alongside it.

So I dug out an old project from my Google Drive: a Seven Deadly Sins poetry collection.

As is usually the case with old drafts, it was far less polished than I remembered.

Instead of becoming a quick, easy side project, it turned into a smaller project that still needs shaping, something I’ll continue working on once the dragon poems are released.

Originally, I imagined the Deadly Sins project as a full collection.

From what I understand, a full poetry collection is typically more than 40 poems, while a chapbook is around 15–30 poems, especially if they’re on the shorter side. A chapbook feels like a concentrated sample of a poet’s voice.

I’ve written poetry on and off since my teenage years, mostly for fun, so I wanted this project to feel intentional rather than padded.

A tighter chapbook, with more focused themes for each sin, felt more impactful than trying to stretch the manuscript just to meet a traditional page count.

That’s one of the advantages of self‑publishing or indie publishing: you get to shape the work the way you want. You can choose the length, the structure, the themes, and even update or expand the project later if it evolves.

As an Aries Rising, I naturally gravitate toward projects that feel manageable and energizing rather than overwhelming. Chapbooks fit that energy perfectly. You can create them in smaller bursts, and later combine two or three similarly themed chapbooks into a longer collection if you want a more substantial volume.

For now, the Deadly Sins project is becoming a compact, focused chapbook. Something with clarity, intention, and a strong thematic spine.