Talk:Poetry.com
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This article was nominated for deletion on January 22, 2006. The result of the discussion was keep. An archived record of this discussion can be found on Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Poetry.com. |
[edit] Cruelty of Poetry.Com
The International Library of Poetry is a scam very close to the edge of the law. They may have edged over the line in some cases. Not quite a vanity publisher, they do not ask for money to publish a poem (at least not in the first letter) but charge an exorbitant price ($50) for shoddy copies of compilations of submitted poems. They do, however, charge to include a small blurb about the poem and/or the victim - I mean, Poet. There follows an invitation to a conference (cost around $600 per person, not including food & lodging) to read your poem and accept your award (which I suspect you will never see if you don't go.)
It is apparently impossible to get a rejection. Not only was my deliberately bad poem Storms accepted as a semi-finalist, I have found examples on the internet of absolutely ridiculous poems, including complete gibberish, that also received this high award. An entire fourth grade class wrote and submitted poems; all were accepted. Dave Barry printed his hilariously bad-but accepted poem in his column.
While I was researching this, I did not keep info on sources. That's why this is on Talk page.
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- I believe the correct term for what Poetry.com does is doing is pyramid scheme, and I remember that the BBB] ruled that they are skirting the law in their actions. In other words: they may not be doing anything illegal, but that doesn't mean what they are doing is right. I can definitely vouch for that, as leading amateur poets along and making them think they ae actually getting recognized for their achievements is just plain wrong. Try to find someone that actually won money in one of their contests, you'll find it easier to locate Jimmy Hoffa. 65.54.97.153 17:42, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
