During those times, publishers only wanted to publish material that could make a profit. Therefore, Mrs. Wheatley set about getting names of people who would buy the book. She was disappointed to realize that there were not enough Bostonians willing to commit to do so.

There were many educated New Englanders who were supportive of Blacks. However, only a few of them felt that a Black slave woman could express their views.

Mrs. Wheatley decided to try to get my poems published in England. After all it was still considered to be a hub of Western culture.