Poetry - National Library Of Poetry Twenty years, I have won every award they have except never no money which is the reason I entered the contest. I did pay for one book of which my poem appeared. However when I wanted to order a few extra copies for my kids, they didn't exist. ripoff Owing Mills, Maryland

Basically I think they should be SHUT DOWN! Like I said I've been dealing with them for over twenty years. Now i've been keeping a file. I have won every paper award they have, I thought, when I complained to them, they gave me a new award, I am the 2007 Poetry Ambassador, (now that's cute) when I tried to contact them after recieving that award via email, they do not recognize recipient, that's what comes back, yet they keep wanting me to sign up for those big hotel seminars and junk.

They sent me an invitation saying I had gotten a free trip all expenses paid to Vegas however I had to send them something like $4oo. That doesn't sound free to me. I'm sorry but I like many others do take their poetry serious and yes there are a lot of writers out there, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if 1000 people let them publish their poem for $49.95 that's a nice days work.

I did go as far as ordering one anthology, they put my poem on page one, you would think that was an honor, until you realize the rest of the anthology is just a copy of all the others and when I wrote them to see if I could get a few more copies for my grandkids, guess what, IT DIDN'T EXIST! So I must have the only copy. I have entered verses from poems written by Robert Louis Stevenson and won awards for them.

My last entry is straight from the Bible, I am waiting their response on that one. I know they are a Rip Off, but I read on hear where the state of Maryland was trying to find a way to stop them. Well I've now been filing every one of their contacts with me and my responses. Just so that if the courts of Maryland can find something useful in them to shut these million dollar scammers down they are welcome to my file.

I do plan to publish a book but not at this idiotic place especially when they don't even recognize the recipient. I told them, "Go to your web site and type in N.Lee Austin" that's the name i write under. i do have three VIP numbers. Back in 1988-89 they went by the name of Sparrowgrass- that was when i was ignorant and I entered a poem which they published , the anthology was called "Treasured Poems of America" but I had spelled the word Pilgrim wrong and so did they. through out the entire work. it's spelled wrong.

Then a few years back I entered a poem telling them off, it won best poem of 2005 I think and recommended by Howard Ely for the anthology. They are nuts. and they need to quit hurting serious writers. I'm a little new on the computer so if I make a mistake I apologize but I would very much like to forward the file containing their emails that all took place a couple weeks ago.
Sincerely, N Lee(a serious writer)I don't want to sue or anything but i would like to see them off the map for other innocent victims. I'm not out anything but a little pride but now I was trying to help the state of Maryland. You are welcome to go to Poetry.com search for an author and type in N. Lee Austin and you'll find me even though they can't. but they gave me 2006 poet of the year and 2007 Poetry ambassador for a price. thanks

N.lee
Sparta, Wisconsin
U.S.A.