posted March 16, 2003 11:53 AM         

One day, just for "fun and giggles" I submitted a poem to www.poetry.com and entered a contest just for the hell of it. I completley forgot about it and about two days ago I got a letter in the mail saying, that I am now a semifinalist in this poetry competition, and that they want to publish my poem in their new book "Patterns of Life." I was shocked becuase it wasn't even a poem that I thought was important or even interesting. I guess they liked it becuase it was unique and it had my spiritual beliefs woven inside it. I'm just so happy for even being recognized.

posted March 16, 2003 02:23 PM         

I don't want to disappoint you but this is a site that only takes money from you. My boyfriend's "poem" got published (it was really a piece of c**p, he just wrote a couple of words for the fun of it, it wasn't even a poem) and then they kept writing him, praising him and telling him that his excellent poem COULD win, I don't know, a 5000 $ award, it miraculously entered the semifinals and then of course there was nothing. They published it in a book along with thousands of others (AND he had to pay I think 80 dolars for it), it's a really nothing-special book, it looks like a common notebook with some golden letters and that's all. And then after the poem was published, they wrote him at least 20 times, each time wanting him to pay something in order for his fabulous poem to be published on a CD, then again in another, even more special edition, and they invited him on gatherings etc. etc. Everything for a price, of course. I'm sure it's a scam because when he wrote two more poems (again, as a joke), they both entered the semi-finals, and then he was offered for them to be published in another book. I hate to disappoint you, but it seems they publish a book every year or even every half year, taking money from millions of people. It really doesn't mean anything. Sorry, but I just wanted to warn you.

posted March 16, 2003 03:03 PM         

The part that really stings me, is that so many people like myself wanted to believe that they were truly judging for quality instead of quantity. It's sad really, because so many people want to aspire. Atleast the truth was given to me at an early stage of my exitement.

posted March 16, 2003 11:24 PM           

If they request you buy a book for $80 just say,
'WHAT??!! (in disbelief) YOU should be paying ME!! Don't you KNOW how sort after I am? the fact that I shared my craft with such a little organisation such as yourself should be more than enough. You expect me to buy one of your little books??!!
how insulting!!! you try and do people a favor and look where it ends up....'

posted March 17, 2003 05:16 AM         

StarLover, I'm sorry I disappointed you But when I saw your post it really made my blood boil because me & my bf went through the same thing - we couldn't believe his "poem" was published and he started to really believe it had some artistic value after receiving so many emails from poetry.com about how brilliant and fresh and original it was, etc. etc. Well, our enthusiasm faded after my bf received emails with the same text about his two other poems. But right away, before we realized all this, he said "Well at least I'll have something published somewhere", and we gave the money. Now I remember: I think it was about 50 or 55 dollars (a special offer for the aspiring poets, of course, otherwise, they said, it was more expensive), the rest was shipping (to Europe) which we never expected to be so high. It gave me a real shock when I saw the bill! And the book was a real disappointment. It looks much less glamorous than it was described to be. But if I look at the bright side: if you have enough money to spare, maybe you can have some fun with it, and who knows, maybe your poem will be read by someone who finds it brilliant! And if you participate in some of their poetry conventions (again, if you have money to spare, they are very expensive) you'll meet some fellow-poets and maybe something good will come out of this. If not, at least you had some fun or you have experienced something different. The trick is not to believe what they say (they describe everything in such superlatives!) and to take it as fun and not so seriously. I know, I'm trying to find a bright spot now because I feel bad for letting you down so harshly. But I do feel that everything has a positive side, but it's good to know the truth first.
Just like RubyRedRam said: your poem is out there and you won't get jiped because you've been warned.
StarLover, don't let that discourage you! I wish you the best of luck with your poetry and that you do get really published some day!