Poet Alert!

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Article: Poets and writers be alert!

Your poetry is wanted! Please, try not to let your dream of being published overrule your good judgment. Learn about the perceived scams. Then you can decide whether or not you want to participate.

Scams, predators, rip-off artists. Whatever the label, their goal is to charm you into spending money . . . as much of it as you possibly can, and as many times as they can. Know that some contests don't care at all about the real quality of your work. They care about making money.

How many of us have been burned? Share what you've learned with others. Let's help these murky pools evaporate. Learn which are reputable and which are questionable.

If you don't buy anything, it's a cheap easy way to get publishing credits. Think . . . What does being included amongst thousands really mean to you?

Some anthologies include thousands of poems, many of questionable quality. Researchers have proven it by submitting obviously substandard work. Will publication in similar be good enough for you? Does your work deserve to be lost like that?

Does it make sense to pay to have your work published in a book with a gazillion others? If you want to pay to display your poetry, why not go for a lovely small anthology, where your poetry doesn't get lost? The Internet offers a variety of options. Or

The 'honourable mention sections' in certain anthologies include over two hundred poems! Imagine that . . . One contest with more than two hundred honourable mentions. Of course, on top of that, there are costly 'rewards' as proof of your 'success'. Think about what the award really is and means before you buy. Sometimes it is fun just to have evidence of your work in print.

After we purchase one of the products, more letters will try to sell you even more ways to display your magnificent poetry.

Wind Magazine is a literary journal that has been thriving for over a quarter century! They also have a very informative website. View their list of the worst poetry contests.

Don't feel badly if you've fallen prey to these professional moneymakers.

Just don't do it again!

It can be a positive learning experience.

Let's work together. Put poetry scam artists out of business. Don't waste your money! Know what you want.

Feel taken? Were you surprised by a poetry contest? Know someone who has been? Submit your story. We'll put condensed versions below.

You could print your own work or have it printed for you. I received a fabulous gift . . . a calendar with personal photos and poetry. I matted and framed two pages of the work . . . after getting it signed by the artist, of course! back to article

Links:

SFWA Writers Beware Contests and Vanity Anthologies. Poets would benefit by remembering the information in the section About Vanity Anthologies. This helpful site was voted one of WRITER'S DIGEST'S 101 Best Websites for Writers 1999

About.com tells us How to submit your poetry

Free poetry contests? Not! Thanks again to Wind Magazine's info.

Jim Garman's column in Poetrytodayonline.com entitled "Are You Tired" discusses another good option

Story #1:

The publication asked if I wanted to have a small, special edition book. My poem would be featured on page one. What a gift idea! I called to make sure they were still taking orders. They said yes. I sent over $35 for one book. That was about two years ago.

After almost a year, I called the contest publisher. (You'd recognize their name) They said they were sold before the date that they cashed my payment. They had taken my money and wouldn't give it back. They said that the book would not be coming.

I contacted the 'new' owners. They asked for a number on my communications that, of course, did not exist. How could it? I have the original paperwork. Naturally, they have never bothered to reply. ~ contributed by D.W. ~