There's no definitive information on *why* they chose to publish his first book. However, it's likely they saw potential in his writing and believed it had merit for a wider audience.
It's important to note that:
* Myers was a young writer at the time: He was only 21 years old when his first book was published.
* The book was a collection of poetry: This genre may have been more appealing to a publishing house looking for fresh voices and new perspectives.
* The themes of the poetry resonated with the social climate: His poems dealt with themes of race, poverty, and social justice, which were particularly relevant in the late 1960s.
While we can't be certain about the specific reasoning behind the publication, it's evident that Holt, Rinehart and Winston recognized Myers's talent and saw the potential for his work to connect with readers.