International Society Of Poets, JMW Publishing, The International Society Of American Poets Ripoff Poetry scams have made it impossible for me to trust internet contests Owing Mills Maryland

I entered my poems in several different contests, I am only 11 and more than anything want to make a name for myself. The prize money intrigued me as my family could really use it. But, after entering my poems I found out what was going on. I am disappointed, its going to be a lot harder to trust contests, but more than anything I want to warn others who are put in the same situation. Its not easy to turn down the oppertunity to attend a convention or buy an anthology with your work in it, but these people have to be stopped.

I recently read an article about a local man who won 1,000 dollars in the poetry.com contest. It listed his poem right there and it wasn't even that good. I must admit I was jealous and mad, even though I don't want to win the contest very much because it is a scam. I guess I was mad because his work was being recognized and mine is still only words on paper.

I can't say that I know how to stop this, but the only thing I could do to help was to warn people. I hope you can resist these companies and forgive what has happened to you. Thank you!!

Abigail
Chadron, Nebraska
U.S.A.