Complaint Review: International Society of Poets

I cried when I found out the first time that I had been nominated for the "Poet of the Month" back in 1999. I was SO excited. Of course, I would order the book for $50.00, my poem was to be in it, so I ordered it.
Later, my daughter also submitted a poem to the site and she was to be published, so I ordered one of the books that her poem was to be in as well as another of mine. Well, since I ordered TWO books from HER poem site, my poem was NOT published in that volume, but her's was. That was the first clue.

I emailed and asked (and they DO have an email to contact the society, just not individual named email addresses, I suppose) why my poem was not included, since THAT was the reason that I ordered two books, one for her with BOTH poems in it, and one for me. I was told that all poems that state they will be published in any one volume do not always make it.

They are saved and published in any volume. I went back to the website and saw, EVERY one of my poems were to be published in the next volume, but I knew then. The only ones that would be published are the ones that you order from. I still submitt poems because I do get the copyright and I have had some published, but I don't spend my money like I did. Maybe this is not a ripoff, but I see it as one. Then you start examining the entire site, all the stuff you can buy with your poem on it and all.....and realize, it's just a money-making scheme.

When I received my first book, yes, my poem was published, but along with some that I do not understand HOW anyone could have thought they were good poetry. I was a bit disappointed that mine were rated in with some that would have been good to use in the outhouse years ago. I was excited that mine was in print, however. That part was made to come true.

MsLeandra
Somewhere, Texas
U.S.A.