Poetry.com

Ivan

I have to ask, is this a scam?

Like every other deep, sensitive Irish male :rolleyes: I entered poem, years ago I guess, and they told me "Oh, its great, would you like a book" naturally, I thought, wow that sounds cool. Then I'm asked to cough up $40 or something. Ever since then they keep sending me emails offering me great stuff to commemorate my genius culminating in this, their newest email :

Dear Ciaran,

I'm sorry you will be unable to join us at the 2004 International Society of Poets' Spring Convention and Symposium at the Walt Disney World Resort--the largest and most prestigious poetry event ever held. As you know, you were selected to be honored at this event, and we were looking forward to your presenting your poetic artistry in front of the more than 2000 poets from over 50 countries who will be attending.

However, because we don't want you to miss out on this unique opportunity altogether, we have arranged a way for you and your poetic accomplishments to be a part of this event in a major way, without your actually being present. Although you will be unable to participate in the Convention contest (you must be present to win), you can receive all of the awards and benefits of ISP membership we have scheduled for you--including your custom engraved Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Bowl (see it here), your bronze Commemorative Award Medallion, and your Full One Year Membership into the International Society of Poets for 2004--if you will allow us to present one of your poems at the convention in your place.

We have arranged for professional poetry readers to read your poem at this largest gathering of poets in history. Our readers will present your poem with imaginative style, so that your artistry receives the worldwide exposure and recognition that it deserves. Your poem will also be featured in printed form, proudly displayed in a special room at the convention that will be accessible to more than 2000 attending poets and guests.

And let me tell you a little about the actual awards and membership benefits that you will receive by mail immediately after you confirm your participation in this prestigious event by submitting your poem:

-- Your Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Bowl (a $200.00 value) is a magnificent work of art in itself that measures over 10 inches across and over 11 inches high. It is handcrafted in silver and has your name custom-engraved on a beautiful cherry-wood base. It is certain to enjoy a special place of pride in your home and will serve as a fitting symbol of your unique poetic artistry.

-- Your bronze Commemorative Award Medallion (a $40.00 value) is a deeply etched bronze medal brilliantly displayed on a 25 inch red, white and blue satin ribbon.

-- And your Full One Year Membership into the International Society of Poets for 2004 (a $60.00 value) entitles you to a personalized membership card, an ISP patch and decal, entry into special contests during the year, and a subscription to The Poet's Corner quarterly newsletter. Please note, if you are already an ISP member, your benefits will be extended an additional year.

Ciaran, all that's required for us to immediately send you all of these Awards is for you to submit a poem to be formally presented at the convention. Additionally, we must also ask you for the necessary funds ($169.00 plus p+h) to cover the costs of the time and effort required to present your poem before the convention attendees both aloud and in writing, as well as the costs incurred in insuring and shipping to you these extremely bulky and heavy awards via Federal Express.

Ciaran, we are, of course, ultimately most interested in meeting you and having you personally present your artistry in front of the thousands of other poets who attend these live events. Unfortunately, this is not to be the case at this time, so we're trying to do the next best thing. But we sincerely hope to personally present you with your most deserved awards in the future.

Sincerely,
Steve Michaels
Convention Awards Chairperson

P.S. Your Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award, bronze Commemorative Award Medallion, and ISP membership kit will be shipped to you by Federal Express, and will be accompanied by an iron-clad promise that you will be thrilled with your awards. If for any reason you're not completely delighted, simply return them any time within 60 days of receipt for a full refund, no questions asked.

P.P.S. You'll also receive a $100.00 gift certificate off the registration of a future ISP convention so that we can formally recognize your poetic accomplishments in person at a date that's convenient to you.

Submit your poem here and receive your awards or go to
https://www.poetry.com/poetscorner/absenteeorder.asp?VIP=P2581946&SC=W225&fn=Ciaran&ln=Maher.

If you no longer wish us to notify you of poetic events that we believe may be of interest to you, please click here, or go to http://www.poetry.com/nl/stopemail.asp.

poetry.com * One Poetry Plaza * Owings Mills, MD 21117




Anyone else get something like this? (I'm pretty sure, at the very least, Bard has a poem on their site also)

mycroft

We have arranged for professional poetry readers to read your poem

I can see that want ads for that job now.

Or better yet leaping on stage at open mike night, "stand back people I'm a professional"

Ivan

Its probably a really stupid question to ask, but I have to believe I'm talented!

I want John Wayne to read my poem, to take away the Girly-ness from it

sceptre

Originally posted by Ivan
I want John Wayne to read my poem, to take away the Girly-ness from it

Go watch Nathan Lane do the John Wayne walk in the Birdcage and come back and say that.:D

simu

Uh, on the very off chance you're not taking the piss - OF COURSE it's a scam!

Serious poets at Disney land? How ridiculous.

If you're serious about poetry, send some of you're stuff to Poetry Ireland or some other such magazine.

Ivan

Thing is, I submitted the poem in like 5th year (of secondary school), thats 5 years ago.

If it were a scam I'd imagine there would be some sort of fuss about it and/or it would have been shut down, no?

Granted of course they seem to genuinely provide a service (Nice fancy books with peoples poems in them) for the money people pay.

And then this offer, peoples money for an award and someone to read out your poem, etc. etc.

Its still a scam, but a legitimate scam.

Pretty much as I expected.

Skud

I entered a poem and got it published in a little book i have sitting on my book shelve atm. (Mother insited on buying the damn thing.) She also wanted to go to Washington cause they asked us to go... They do provide a service and you can pay through the nose to pay for legit conferences but since they are funded solely based on these then its not worth it surely? In the book i got there is some crap poems 2. So they make money that way. If you really want to try your worth send it in to a publishing company or ask a lecturer in col or something else...

Agent Smith

its a scam, but not as we know it......



they may enter your poem, even if you dont cough up the dough, but if you did it will almost be published,


reminds me of a french translation comatition i did year's ago,

enter, if you win it was published.

and you could make donations to the society,

hmmm, why didnt mine win (apart from the crap french?)



did i make a donation....... no