I am an adjunct faculty instructor of English Composition and attended the 2004 Fall Symposium and Convention of the International Society of Poets in Philadelphia, PA in August.
I believe it was truly a rip-off and would like to know how I can ensure they do not use my poetry without my permission since all conestants (hoax!) had to submit a form with a copy of their poems. I went to college with two of the contestant judges and was shocked to see so many poets dooped into believing they were even well thought of at this convention. I know my poem is a stellar one! Many people came up to me after the contest winners were announced. They had heard about my poem and asked me to read it because they thoght it should have one. Surprisingly, the $20,000.00 winner was taken ill and had to go to the emergency room the night before and we never saw her; she was from Spain. Another poet read her poem; she was from Duluth, GA.
This process ought to be thoroughly investigated with reference to how the contest is conducted. Supposedly, we submit and read the poems at the first level and then the room judge decides which poem (s) will get to the final/next level to the final judges. I knew two of the judges and never stood a ghost of a chance to win! Plus, open mic was a joke... Noone from the ISP monitored any of its sessions. The money we spent was shameful!
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