So how would I go about getting published as an author/poet? Is it easier to self publish or should I send a collection of my works in?

I definitely wouldn’t say it’s easier–while I haven’t self-published, I do have several friends who have, and the thing about self-publishing is that you’re completely responsible for every aspect of your book: formatting, design, marketing, all of it. That’s certainly not impossible but it is definitely a lot of work for one person.

I think it depends on what you want from your published work and what kind of audience you want it to reach. With self-publishing, it’s difficult to expand your readership base beyond what you already have. If you go through a press, you get to draw on the press’s established following, which may differ from yours.

Both have their pros and cons. I’d recommend doing some research and deciding if the immediacy and control of self-publishing [plus the fact that you get way more of the profits] is what you’re looking for, or if you want the prestige/notoriety of being attached to a press, with the understanding that a) it may take longer to accomplish and b) they will likely require edits to your work/some of the process will be out of your hands