Complaint Review: Poetry.com International Society Of Poets

During 2002 I decided to stay home with my youngest son instead of going back to work as a high school English teacher. While searching the web looking for pulishing outlets for some of my poetry, I ran across poetry.com. From there it was a year-long nightmare of letters, promises by them that I was indeed some grand-prize winner, and if only I would send in some exhorbitant amount of money, could I then receive books, trophies, plaques, blah, blah, blah...

At first I fell, hook, line and sinker. Staying home to pursue my career as a writer was a tough decision, and when someone, especially a company seemingly so popular begins to throw roses at my door, I was quite flattered. Was this my big break? My husband was the first to encourage me to check them out. In fact, he got on to their web-site, submitted some sort of elementary "Jack and Jill" poem, and sure enough, poetry.com notified him that they were so impressed that they wanted to publish him in their next great collection of greatest poems ever written!

Indeed my husband's intent was not to hurt me, but to expose, at least in a small way, there real intent: money, money, and more money. And in about a month, he too received the same letter inviting him to the same poetry symposium in which he would receive a trophy and plaque. I've seen Dateline and/or 20/20 do investigative reports on companies with more tact than poetry.com.

I put the website out of sight, out of mind for nearly two years until a friend I met now that I'm stationed in the south of Spain asked me about my writing. We chatted a bit and I went home and decided just for kicks to look up the site. I typed my name, and sure enough, my poetry is still there. I don't know if they have copy rights to it or not, but I want it off their site, and I want them to have no ability to publish my works.

I, thankfully, never sent a dime to the company, but I would like my poetry removed, an assurance that they cannot use or publish my poetry, and a written or oral apology from the company for their scam. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Barbara
FPO AE, New York
U.S.A.

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