Comments on: Poetry Scams and the Birth of Wergle Flomp http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:33:08 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Athlyn Green http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-65721 Athlyn Green Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:48:06 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-65721 Hi Write, Well, at least they are only including 200 poems. I've seen "highly esteemed" anthologies crammed with thousands of low-quality poems. Huh, guess they are highly esteemed by those who stand to profit from them! Now, some smaller genuine literary journals may charge a small reading fee but these are not scam outfits and a publishing credit from one of these is recognized by publishers. Generally, though, if you receive glowing praise and then are hit with a hard-sell, the only real scenario is that you will part with your money for a book of low-quality poems that will become a doorstop or fill a recycling bin. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Hi Write,
Well, at least they are only including 200 poems. I’ve seen “highly esteemed” anthologies crammed with thousands of low-quality poems. Huh, guess they are highly esteemed by those who stand to profit from them!

Now, some smaller genuine literary journals may charge a small reading fee but these are not scam outfits and a publishing credit from one of these is recognized by publishers.

Generally, though, if you receive glowing praise and then are hit with a hard-sell, the only real scenario is that you will part with your money for a book of low-quality poems that will become a doorstop or fill a recycling bin.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

]]> By: WriteEditSeek http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-65617 WriteEditSeek Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:30:29 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-65617 I just got one of these poetry scam emails. I'm going to copy it here so everyone can see what these things look like and avoid them: We are currently publishing a special edition of our poetry anthology series entitled: "Whispers - A collection of short works." This series has been very popular among our audience and we would like to publish your poem "79 Cent Dreams" in this new book. This anthology is a collection of our better works, and we think your poem would make a nice addition. Your poem will be prominently displayed on its own page in the appropriate chapter. The book will feature approximately 200 poems. Aimee, we have arranged special pricing of only $19.95 + shipping for this unique anthology. Additional copies are further discounted. Hurry, space is limited. If you are interested in obtaining a copy containing your poetry please see the enclosed order form. Hurry, Aimee, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER (1) Click here to place your secure online order now or type in browser https://www.poetryamerica.com/poetry_order_form.asp?id=%%AccountID%% (2) OR Print this order form and fax or mail the completed author's proof & order form to the address above along with your payment. (3) OR Call 410-764-7471 between 9am to 5pm Eastern Time to place your order over the phone today. I just got one of these poetry scam emails. I’m going to copy it here so everyone can see what these things look like and avoid them:

We are currently publishing a special edition of our poetry anthology series entitled: “Whispers – A collection of short works.” This series has been very popular among our audience and we would like to publish your poem “79 Cent Dreams” in this new book.

This anthology is a collection of our better works, and we think your poem would make a nice addition. Your poem will be prominently displayed on its own page in the appropriate chapter. The book will feature approximately 200 poems.

Aimee, we have arranged special pricing of only $19.95 + shipping for this unique anthology. Additional copies are further discounted. Hurry, space is limited. If you are interested in obtaining a copy containing your poetry please see the enclosed order form.

Hurry, Aimee, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER

(1) Click here to place your secure online order now or type in browser https://www.poetryamerica.com/poetry_order_form.asp?id=%%AccountID%%
(2) OR Print this order form and fax or mail the completed author’s proof & order form to the address above along with your payment.

(3) OR Call 410-764-7471 between 9am to 5pm Eastern Time to place your order over the phone today.

]]> By: Athlyn Green http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-5695 Athlyn Green Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:56:52 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-5695 The claim is made that the anthology will be highly esteemed. Hmmm . . . editors do not view inclusion in these as valid publishing credits. I'm not aware of book sellers who carry these items. The claim is made that the anthology will be highly esteemed. Hmmm . . . editors do not view inclusion in these as valid publishing credits. I’m not aware of book sellers who carry these items.

]]> By: tonisan60 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-5693 tonisan60 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:35:11 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-5693 So, if I had understood correctly, they will publish any nonsense if I buy a book, and then who will buy my nonsense?<br /> I am about to try the web page to see what is this about, thank you for your article and for sharing it. So, if I had understood correctly, they will publish any nonsense if I buy a book, and then who will buy my nonsense?
I am about to try the web page to see what is this about, thank you for your article and for sharing it.

]]> By: Athlyn Green http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-5691 Athlyn Green Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:36:25 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-5691 Hi Ruby,<br /> Yes, it's an outrage to writers everywhere. Some of these outfits hold "feel good" conventions, where writers end up spending even more. Hi Ruby,
Yes, it’s an outrage to writers everywhere. Some of these outfits hold “feel good” conventions, where writers end up spending even more.

]]> By: Ruby Hawk http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-5689 Ruby Hawk Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:36:03 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-5689 I tried some of these poetry contests years ago and I still get mail from them. Every publisher that tries to sell you the book is a scam. They will publish anything if you will buy the book. I tried some of these poetry contests years ago and I still get mail from them. Every publisher that tries to sell you the book is a scam. They will publish anything if you will buy the book.

]]> By: Athlyn Green http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-5687 Athlyn Green Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:23:26 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-5687 Hah hah, Ken, good point.<br /> <br /> Hi Anthony,<br /> Yes, when someone is just starting out, it can be confusing separating vanity ventures from legitimate.<br /> <br /> I got a bang out of "Wergle Flomp's" antics--kind of the reverse approach: trying NOT to get published. By doing this David Taub showed just how far vanity outfits will go to make a dollar. Hah hah, Ken, good point.

Hi Anthony,
Yes, when someone is just starting out, it can be confusing separating vanity ventures from legitimate.

I got a bang out of “Wergle Flomp’s” antics–kind of the reverse approach: trying NOT to get published. By doing this David Taub showed just how far vanity outfits will go to make a dollar.

]]> By: Anthony McDonald Jr. http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-5685 Anthony McDonald Jr. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:30:34 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-5685 This is very important information. I got roped in by poetry.com some time ago and have been getting spamed from them ever since. They offer me plagues, proof copies, etc. I thought it was strange that they were asking me to pay for merchandise so I did a little research and found out it is a scam. I actually read some where that an individual wrote a poem with a bunch of "blah" stanzas and got entered in. There was not other word but "blah" - I mean, C'MON!!! <br /> <br /> This is very important information. I got roped in by poetry.com some time ago and have been getting spamed from them ever since. They offer me plagues, proof copies, etc. I thought it was strange that they were asking me to pay for merchandise so I did a little research and found out it is a scam. I actually read some where that an individual wrote a poem with a bunch of “blah” stanzas and got entered in. There was not other word but “blah” – I mean, C’MON!!!

]]> By: Ken Gack http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/comment-page-1/#comment-5683 Ken Gack Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:14:27 +0000 http://writinghood.com/online-writing/poetry-scams-and-the-birth-of-wergle-flomp/#comment-5683 How could I not be drawn an article with Wergle Flomp in the title?<br /> ;-)<br /> - Ken How could I not be drawn an article with Wergle Flomp in the title?
;-)
- Ken

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