Personal Note of Gratitude and Departure
I wanted to take a moment to write this message, as many of you have been incredibly supportive and kind to me since I began using this platform. Your encouragement has meant the world, and I’m truly grateful to those who took the time to read my work and share thoughtful messages.
Initially, my intention was to invest in a lifetime membership, as I saw potential here. However, over the past few weeks, I’ve come to face concerns that I can no longer overlook.
First and foremost, I’ve found the site to be cliquey, which has been disheartening. While I was lucky enough to engage with some wonderful individuals and even achieve success in a few competitions, it’s become increasingly clear that visibility and recognition seem reserved for a select few. Many talented voices are left unheard, which I find discouraging.
On top of that, I’ve now experienced three occasions where I was the only person out of 35 or 37 entries not to place at all. That seems highly unusual and, quite frankly, feels unfair. It’s difficult not to take that personally, and it has left me feeling extremely uncomfortable. At that point, it no longer feels like a coincidence—it feels like exclusion.
Secondly—and this is the most upsetting part—I was accused of using AI to write one of my poems. This accusation is completely unfounded. I write from a deeply personal place; the majority of my work draws on the hardships I’ve faced. The poem in question, however, was not one of those personal pieces. I submitted my poem early in the competition, likely among the first few entries. Later, another poet—who is well-established on this site—submitted a piece that was strikingly similar to mine. The resemblance was too close to be a coincidence.
When the concern was raised, I supported my authenticity with six independent tools confirming that my work was not AI-generated. This left only one conclusion: my work was either copied or heavily imitated. To make matters worse, no one from the platform has reached out to address this or provide any avenue for escalation. The lack of moderation has made it clear to me that this environment is no longer one I wish to be a part of.
Though this experience has been challenging, I’m leaving with a full heart. This community helped reignite my passion for writing, and for that, I’m thankful. To everyone who supported me—you’ve inspired me more than you know. I’ll continue writing. Just not here.
Wishing you all the best in your creative journeys.
Copyright © Aaliyah O'Neil | Year Posted 2025
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