Won't do any good, but I had to write back.

[rbnyc]

This particular scam bothers me so much!

Dear Rene,

Recently I informed you that Noble House, one of the foremost publishers of fiction and nonfiction works, was interested in your poetry. I had the pleasure of reading the poetry you have submitted in the United States, and I want to congratulate you on this grand endeavour. I also wanted to inform you that your talent and vision deserve appropriate international recognition as well.

For this reason, I have posted this letter to request your permission to include one of your favourite poems in Songs of Honour - a new poetry edition that is being distributed worldwide by Noble House . . . a collection of poetry that is perhaps unlike any you have ever seen . . . one where each poem is featured on its own page, and one whose quality is reminiscent of the finest 19th century antique poetry books.

<snip>

Best of all, should you decide to obtain a copy of the edition for your personal library ... At only £26.18 (U.S. $45.55) for a hardbound, 225-page edition printed in two colours on ivory laid vellum, with a highly detailed, finely crafted ornate cover and a single poem to a page, this edition promises to exceed your expectations, and it will enjoy pride of place in your home. <snip>

Rene, you may also wish to consider giving the public some insight about you and your artistry for this poetic showcase . . .

<snip>

Sincerely,

Nigel Hillary
Publisher,
Poetry Division
Noble House U.K.


My reply


Dear Mr. Hillary,

I'm sorry. I think this business is so sad. I entered a poem recently to an Internet contest so that I could qualify for a coupon for groceries. Since then I have had several offers to have my poem published in a book which I am then invited to purchase.

I am happily not in need of praise nor recognition. Nor am I naive. However, I know there are many desperate, struggling writers out there who are badly in need of reassurance. I think it is truly horrible that businesses like your prey upon these artists.

These volumes of "selected" poems are only read by the poor souls who believe their talents have finally been recognized and have fallen for your scam. What you are offering is for me to be included in a "Scroll of Chumps."

I have no need to have my work included in your sad book, nor in any publication that would require payment from me.

I feel very sorry for those who have suppressed their better judgement in order to believe your false flattery and to think themselves, laughably, published.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

Truly,

Rene Bouchard

Oh well, like I said, will do no good at all, but it makes me so mad.

[El Fuego]

1. I know it's a basically a scam, but

I always thought that was for suckers, but I met this old lady recently who was SO PROUD of her hard bound book with her poem in it. It was truly a prized possession. She's obviously a naive sort, but it made her really happy to show people the book.

So now I've decided that there are some people get some fulfillment out of it, so maybe it's worth the money to them. If they're getting something out of it, it's not really a scam.

[rbnyc]

2. Oh boy. I can see what you mean, but...

...I think I'd rather be dead than be that lady. I guess in a way these publishes are less like scam artists and more like heroin dealers.

[El Fuego]

4. I guess there's plenty of money to be made off people's egos

Another thing: She was delighted with her poem, which just happened to be on page 1. (Coincidence? I think not.) Then she went on an all out tirade about how the book was full of all these "newfangled" poems that don't even rhyme. It's not a poem if it doesn't rhyme, how could they have put them in the book?? She was just full of church lady outrage about that!

:rofl:

It was so hysterical, I had a hard time keeping a straight face.

[merh]

3. I fell for it years ago, when I was young and very naive.

But today, I am glad I did because the book was at the office and survived the hurricane.

It is the only written version of my poems that survived.

Some of the others are stored in my mind, but not many.


What I hate more than these poem scams are the "Who's Who in America".

What a crock of shit those are. Same thing, buy our book and see your name in it.

[Katherine Brengle]

5. I was just about to post about those "Who's Who" books--ew. n/t

[merh]

7. I'll never forget how excited my parent's were when I was

"nominated" to the "who's who". They spent money they didn't have to see that I was on the list and to get the publication.

When the offers continued to come in, they realized what a scam it was. They felt taken.

[hfojvt]

8. Who's who is in almost every public library

and it goes back a ways too. Are you saying I could pay to have my name in the next edition?
I once found a who's who of American teachers at a library book sale and one of my cousins was in there. I like to think she was honored more than scammed. Supposedly one of my poems was going to be printed in such a book called "Shadows and Light". So, if "Shadows and Light" was sold to 100 other contributors, do you think it included my poem? And if so, presumably some of those other contributors read it and said :wtf:

"Rolling Stone. Gonna see my picture on the cover.
Gonna by five copies for my mother..."

[merh]

9. So what? What's that do for you?

The phone books and other directories are also found in the public library.

I hope your cousin believes it was an honor and not a scam, it is a matter of perspective.
As I said, my parents realized it was a scam and felt taken.
It didn't help me get into college, it did nothing for me whatsoever.

[hfojvt]

12. It implies

that, unlike the scam poetry books, those directories are purchased, and perhaps read, by people who do not have their name in it. The poetry book would seem like less of a scam if hundreds of libraries had purchased the book that included your poem, or, better yet, the book that included my poem, if there ever was such a book (perhaps my poem was redacted in favor of the work of an author who purchased the book)

My college degree feels like a scam to me. One that cost my dad $25,000 and cost me 5 years. It did not help me get a good paying job. In fact on the application for my current fairly good-paying job I did not include the fact that I have an MA. It probably would have hurt my hiring chances. Instead of college, I could have gotten the same thing for $3 in late charges at the public library.

[merh]

13. Those books, like the poetry books

are donated to the public libraries. They are not purchased.

Usually, the only ones that purchase them are the folks that have their names in them.

Just as you say your college degree did nothing for you, so too the listing in these books.
Imagine how unimportant being named to a "who's who" list is compared to your MA.

[Crazy Dave]

6. My mom still has "My 5th Grade Year" by David xxxxxx

Not a similar scam, just something that my fifth grade teacher did for our class. We saved all our homework and other 8"x11" papers from the entire year and they were sent to a bindery and made into hardcover books for each individual student. It was about $4 or $5 USD back then.

[bearfan454]

10. That is like when someone wins a Mary Kay party.

They just try to sell you make up. Our stepdaughter "won" a Mary Kay party about 6 years ago. They put on make up and the salesperson tries to get you to buy the stuff.

[Gormy Cuss]

11. Au contraire, mon amie

It did wonders for you to call them on it. I do similar things. It beats just fuming about it.B-)

[rbnyc]

14. Thanks.

I do hope someone actually reads it.