The poetry contest that hunts for desperate writers

A Copywriter Speaks: Hey, Give Me Back My Pen!
It's no wonder I have a permanent crick in my neck. I've spent the last ten years shaking my head piteously at people who think they can write. Fellow scribes, let us gather now for a virtual group hug, as we console each other .....

Many of you have likely seen the following contest 'Free Amateur Poetry Contest $10,000 grand prize, Enter Now!', and you have most likely sent off your poem and received a letter back stating that your poem will be published. You are just one of the many who have become the prey of poetry.com.

The Arrogant Writer
The Arrogant Writer: Five Ways to Nurture and Defend your Muse

By Jill Nagle

Arrogance has a bad rap. We think of arrogant people as unpleasant to be around, full of themselves, and incapable of taking an interest in anyone else. .....

Many of you have likely seen the following contest 'Free Amateur Poetry Contest $10,000 grand prize, Enter Now!', and you have most likely sent off your poem and received a letter back stating that your poem will be published. You are just one of the many who have become the prey of poetry.com.

I have had first hand experience with them. In 2000 I sent one of my poems 'Angel in Heaven' to Poetry.com contest and received their notification that I would be published in an anthology to be released that year. To date that poem still has not been published in their anthology, because I refuse to purchase the book.

A Google search for poetry.com will pull up several warnings about the company. They have now gained a national reputation for preying upon unsuspecting victims like myself. They have brought so much publicity that 20-20's show did a documentary on them in 1998 , where a bunch of second graders submitted poems and poetry.com announced that they were winners.

Every poet who enters poetry.com's contest will receive a notification, that you will be published and that you are a semi-finalist. In their introduction letter they state that you are not obligated to purchase their book, however the only way you are published in the book is if you purchase it. They state that your poem was chosen on its unique talent and artistic visions. The truth is you were chosen because ......

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