Reflections on a Scam

My first encounter with the International Society of Poets came almost by accident. I somehow got caught up in answering one of those endless online surveys so I could win something or other. I foolishly provided my information to a number of groups, buying their promises. As a result I have an endless stream of junk e-mail to my primary e-mail account. I also received a "free" cellular phone that actually cost $600 "but only if you cancel". And somehow these guys coaxed me into posting my poem Now That I've Beheld You as part of an ongoing poetry "contest".

When they did send me my "galley proofs" for their new book, my poem peaking out of the left side of the envelope, it was an interesting experience. I'd just been asked that first and only question any woman poses when she hears you're a poet: "Are you published yet?" So I come home to this letter, and in a way I was because they said I would be, whether I chose to buy the book or not.

Just good enough of a scam that the part of you that wants to believe wars with the part of you that recognizes it for what it is. Just close enough to get you.

Apparently they do trick an enormous number of people, too. I've met at least two, one of them telling me about another two--her mother and her best friend "who ironically got published in the same volume!"

Then the other day, the weekend they had their "convention" in D.C., I saw a young black guy walking up Connecticut Avenue holding a silver cup that looked familiar. It looked like the "trophy" these scam artists wanted me to buy from them. They had my name digitally etched into it so it looked like it was sitting there waiting for me.

I asked him what the trophy was for, and sure enough . . "And", he said hopefully, "we get the prizes tomorrow. $30,000 for the grand prize winner, $20,000 for the winner . ."

I discovered a real poetry contest who calls for entrants to write the very worst drek they possibly can, get it published at one of these scam outfits, then submit. I was hoarse from laughing at the winners.

Best to stick with legitimate markets for your poetry, and don't give anyone too much money.