I just thought I would make it known to those aspiring poets trying to find their break into the published world about many scams. You see, I have been writing ever since I was in the 4th grade. I am 45 years old now.
My work was so good in fact, that the teacher crumpled it up and said that a 4th grader could not write that well. My father went to my defense and I created more work, right in front of her and ever since that day, I found my wings.
I have received so many compliments on my work, going so far as writing special items on request for a few State Delegates, Senators, to even the President. A story was even done about my work in our newspaper.
So I figured I would enter a poetry contest. Nothing spectacular, as I have heard of these companies in the past, but just to see what would happen.
And you know, the poem I wrote, made it into their book. And for an outrageous price I could buy one. Then the next letter informed me I could have it on a CD. And the last, which was the best by far, was that I could come to Washington D.C. To the awards banquet to meet Florence Henderson and Willard Scott.
And if I wanted to bring a guest, the total would only cost about $950. About $450 covering my own place. Not including hotel accomodations, though. That was extra.
I need to tell you, especially the younger group of hopeful poets. Don't get hooked up with these people. It is a huge scam. They have been investiagted year after year. I believe Dateline even had a segment on them as a scam to look out for.
Now, I know of someone that did purchase their book and her poem was published in there, along with some of the worst writings she has ever seen. I know it is hard when you want something so bad, but here is what I did to get recognition.
I had a friend of mine make up a really nice background design with my poem on it and she would put it in a lovely frame.
Before you sell anything, you need to have your work copy writed. You can do this with a single page or in an entire book form. Both costs the same. $10 to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. This protects your rights to your work. Then she put them in consignment shops and such.
Now, I am not making a fortune by any means, but it has given me the recognition that I have wanted to go onto bigger and better things. Just don't make someone else rich from your heart-felt work that has been brought out from the depths of your soul. It is not worth allowing anyone to use such a beautiful talent and drag it through the mud. You are worth much better than that.
I hope this helps some of you out there.
Goldie Blankenship - JR consumer complaintse
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