Poetry Publishers

They asked me for payment for printing my words!
Payment from me? That’s so absurd!
Pay them to be able to print all of my verse?
Never! And to them I send now this curse:

To you who demand the payment from me
I’ll never succumb and provide it to you
Oh, you’ll lose the chance to make money from me
For I’ll find another, yes, that’s what I’ll do
I know that there’s someone, somewhere, that will
Take all my poems and bind them in tact
From them, they’ll ask only that I write
They’ll give ME the money and that is a fact
So you’ll lose the honor of my name with you
In fact, your asking for money is surely a joke
I’ll have the last laugh on you, all of you thieves
When you have closed down your doors because you went broke

(I know we won’t get rich writing poetry, but I won’t give in either)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Devonshire Avatar
February 21, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Dear Michael, how well you express the insult we feel when others ask us for payment to print our work!!! Thankfully, I am working with a potential publisher now, and he is not asking for payment. Wouldn't it be great if we could get some of the great talent from this website together and print some "Highlights from Poetrysoup." What do you think? Love, Carolyn
Swanson Avatar
February 13, 2009 at 9:54 AM
*hear hear*! Standing ovation! I loved it. I haven't tried to do that myself yet, but I've sure heard some horror stories from those who have. Great write! :) Amy
Parish Avatar
February 13, 2009 at 6:04 AM
This write says it all about those publishers. Fantastic humorous write. I've learned that a lot of the contest are bogus. You can write anything, even if it doesn't make sense and they want to publish your writings provided you pay.
Reynolds Avatar
February 12, 2009 at 6:25 AM
right on, my friend, stand up and get paid! Even if it is only is magazines, that, is good enough for this humble poet. And that's awesome, what you wrote in your comment this am, that would be so very cool if you did that. :) Love, me
Ehigiator Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 10:24 PM
You said what I should have. I have been posting my poems on Poetry.com for years and they always send me emails and letters telling me how talented I am and how I won their editors choice awards and my work is to be published in their books and on a Cd and if I want a copy of it, I need to pay a fee.I just ignore it and move on.If I won, why should I have to pay for my copy and my award?? makes no sense..they won't get a penny from me.Great write!!Thank you for your comments, God Bless*Tyesha
Gass Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Michael, this is fabulous! This is all new to me so I don't know a thing except that I enjoyed this entertaining ad educational write!! Great job! Love, Robin
Gorelick Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Oh my gosh..this is so right on. poetry.com is like a parasite..they want to feed off your vanity. You may not get rich Michael..but you have made our lives richer with your words. BG
Coram Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM
good for you Michael! just read your blog by the way, very welcoming and i will be looking in, in the future x thanks
Prance Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Greed,greed it;s all about the dollar keep looking I know you will find one,thanks for your comment and advise,God Bless,Marie
Dvorkis Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Cool write Michael. I like how Poetry Soup makes it very clear in their faq that they are not poetry.com (I won't bother capitalizing their name). A few years ago I would have been naieve enough to fall for their scam.
Kelly Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Well said , Michael .... True words , all ...
Higgins Avatar
February 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM
This is very good Michael. Love the opening and then you going off on them. cool write.
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