If you are
dissatisfied with your International Library of Poetry
anthology, return it to them and demand that they return
your money as they guarantee they will. If they
don't respond, file a complaint with the Better Business
Bureau. If they don't respond, then file a
complaint with the Bad Business Bureau an on-line consumer advocate. It may take a
while, but you can get your money refunded; just be
persistent.
The
International Library of Poetry (Poetry.com)--
An Open Letter of Complaint to the
Greater Maryland Better Business Bureau
Here's what I'd say to the Maryland
BBB.
You can write your own
letter.
Dear Maryland
BBB,
As the owner of a small literary press, I have a high
regard for the art of poetry and creative writing.
Thus, I take offense at any action that demeans the
art. The International Library of Poetry not only
twists the art of poetry for profit, they prey on amateur
poets by taking advantage of their hopes and
dreams. What began with a single web page of advice
and assistance to amateur poets has grown over the last
couple of years into my web page http://windpub.com/literary.scams/index.htm I hope you will at
least take a look at the first few links on this web
page. You will find there news stories from ABC
TV's 20/20, NBC News, and Canadian TV regarding the
"notorious" International Library of
Poetry.
While a lengthy report regarding the ILP
is presented on the Maryland BBB website it is, in my
opinion, neither complete nor accurate. The International
Library of Poetry may not be breaking any laws, but it is
painfully obvious to me and others that they engage in
deceptive and unethical practices. Please bear with
me while I explain in detail.
First, in yet another unsuccessful attempt to submit a
poem bad enough to earn a rejection, here's a contest
entry "poem" I sent to the ILP via e-mail
in July of 2000:
Yesterday
Yesterday was the day
before tomorrow
but tomorrow
is today
the day that's tomorrow
is to was the day
after yesterday
when therefore was
what is that was
to be
or not to be
neither you nor I
nor he nor they
can know
For the sake
of clarity I am highlightling all quotes from ILP letters
and brochures which were sent to me in blue.
The first sentence of the July 25, 2000, letter of reply
I received states: "After carefully reading
and discussing your poem, our Selection Committee has
accepted your poem into the final round of competition in
our North American Open Poetry Contest."
What kind of committee would accept jibberish like the
above "poem"? It's obvious that
nobody read this so-called poem and nobody discussed
it. Virtually every poem that is entered goes
into the "final round" unless it has more than
20 lines or contains forbidden words such as profanity or
other selected words which are screened by
computer.
"Those entries that exhibit a unique perspective or
artistic vision are advanced to semi-finalists in the
contest."
Deceptive. A false complimentary statement
designed to deceive and entice customers. Virtually
all entries are advanced to semi-finalist status.
In celebration of the unique talent that you have
displayed, we also wish to publish your poem in what
promises to be . . .
Deceptive. Talent has nothing to do with it.
Another false compliment designed to deceive and seduce
amateur poets.
Of the thousands of poems we read each year, only a
fraction can be published.
Deceptive. Maybe a fraction like 95/100 or 100/100.
Our customers include libraries, bookstores, magazines,
newspapers, historical societies, foundations, and fine
poets . . . like you.
Deceptive, if not an outright lie. I challenge you
to find these anthologies in any library or
bookstore. Get on the telephone or e-mail right
now.
We accept poems for publication because of their
importance or artistic appeal . . .
Deceptive, or an outright lie. Their criteria has
nothing to do with art. It's money. Another false
compliment to deceive and entice customers.
Of their anthologies the ILP says:
--- A literary resource for public and academic
libraries, recording companies, worldwide news media.
Not so. You can't find them in public
libraries, and definitely not in any academic libraries.
--- A fully extended sourcebook of poetic talent to be
used by editors and publishers.
Not so. Editors and publishers care nothing
about these books. No self-respecting publisher would be
caught dead with one in his house. This is not my
opinion-- it's a fact. These are statements
designed to deceive amateur poets and make them believe
their fledgling careers will be advanced by appearing in
one of the ILP's anthologies.
All of the above misrepresentations and deceptions are contained in the first
communication I received after I submitted the above
so-called poem. More of the same
opportunities to purchase always follow. I
discarded their invitation to their spring convention
that I received a couple of weeks ago. As for the
ILP conventions, see http://windpub.com/literary.scams/bigmoney.htm and http://windpub.com/literary.scams/update.htm for accounts from two poets who
recently attended.
In addition to the above, the profits earned by the ILP are
grossly disproportionate to the amount of prize money
returned to those who enter their contests. This compelling fact alone is
adequate to discredit this organization. See http://windpub.com/literary.scams/counting.htm
Vanity presses are not necessarily all unethical.
There is nothing wrong with paying to publish one's own
work, or being paid to publish a poet's work. It's
not a question of paying for publishing, nor is it a
question of the quality of poetry in the ILP
anthologies. What makes the ILP unethical is pure
and simple deception. In short, nearly everything the ILP
says is either a deception or a lie. As one TV news
report said, "they are notorious among legitimate
poets and publishers." How much deception is required before a
classification of unethical is earned? This is more
than enough in my book.
Last October 5, one of the ILP's former employees told
me, "this
is a scam with a very far reach affecting a great many
artists who are putting a large part of themselves into a
contest designed only to bleed its contestants for
money. This organization plays on people's dreams
and aspirations with only profit in mind."
The BBB
exists to protect and inform the public.
Please do it. I do not know why when stories about the
ILP's bogus poetry contests have appeared on national TV
that the BBB continues to hide its head in the sand. As an organization with
goals of safeguarding the public's interest it is long
past the time the BBB should revoke the ILP's BBB
membership and tell the public the unvarnished truth
about this organization and their phony poetry contests.
I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to present these
facts and my point of view for your consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Charlie Hughes
Wind Publications
http://windpub.com
e-mail: ch@windpub.com
Write your own letter to the Maryland BBB. If you are
dissatisfied with the ILP anthology you receive, return
it to them and demand that they return your money as they
guarantee. If they don't respond, file a complaint with the BBB. It may take a
while, but you can get your money refunded.
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