GEN: Re: National Library of Poetry?

["Cheryl W. Stevens" <cheryls@NECA.COM>]

I have decided to forward this message to LM_NET, as I have seen a couple
more questions about this organization and on Sunday I saw a half page ad
in our local newspaper for the group. If you would like to see the entire
article it is available at the WFSB web site. After reading it, you may
determine for yourself the companies value.

>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 1995 11:33:24 +0100
>To:Bonnie Fulmer <GBF1@MARISTB.MARIST.EDU>
>From:cheryls@neca.com (Cheryl W. Stevens)
>Subject:Re: National Library of Poetry?
>
>Bonnie,
>
>I found a transcript of the article from Channel 3 WFSB-Hartford, CT, and
>have edited out their scripting and am sending it on to you. Good luck for
>your student, maybe they can find a better place to publish their poetry.
>
>
>POETRY-CONTEST (09-22-95)
>
>JUDY  ENTERED A POETRY CONTEST HOPING IT WOULD FURTHER HER
>CHANCES AS A WRITER. WHAT DOES SHE THINK OF THIS AD'S PROMISES NOW?
>
>Judy: "It's a bunch of bunk. It isn't worth the paper it's printed on."
>
>
>SHE SUBMITTED THIS POEM LAST SPRING, AND WAS QUICKLY INFORMED IT WOULD BE
>PUBLISHED..SURELY SHE'D WANT COPIES FOR HERSELF AND LOVED ONES--
>
>$49.95 FIRST COPY..PUBL LIST PRICE $69.9-5 PLUS PLAQUE PRICE $38.00
>NOT COMPLIMENTARY--$50.00. FOR $38.00 MORE SHE COULD HAVE A PLAQUE.
>
>Judy: "They ask for additional information about you for which they charge
>yet another $20."
>
>THEN SHE RECEIVED THIS LETTER SAYING SHE WAS NOMINATED AS INTERNATIONAL
>POET OF THE YEAR--SHE WAS FLATTERED UNTIL SHE SAW THE COST...$500
>REGISTRATION TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION?
>
>Judy: "I was curious. Could a person who really wanted to, go and
>win without going and paying the convention fees and the answer is bottom
>line--No."
>
>SHE CRASHED THE CONVENTION AND WAS TOLD SHE WAS NO LONGER IN CONTENTION
>BECAUSE SHE HADN'T PAID. SO WHILE SHE'S PROUD OF HER PLAQUE..SHE NOW
>REALIZES..
>
>You're a poet of merit because you paid the money."
>
>TODAY THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF POETRY SAID THEIR CONTESTS ARE AWARDED ON
>MERIT ONLY...AND THE CONVENTION AND IT'S CONTEST IS RUN THROUGH ANOTHER
>GROUP...THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF POETS...BUT LOOK..THEY HAVE THE SAME
>PHONE NUMBER. AND WHILE THE AD CLAIMS THEIR ANTHOLOGY IS IN LIBRARIES...HE
>ADMITTED MOST BOOKS ARE SOLD TO THE AMATEUR POETS. WHAT ABOUT THE CLAIM
>THEY ARE A MUCH SOUGHT-AFTER RESOURCE FOR NEW POETIC TALENT- -
>
>Hugh Ogden/Poet/Trinity Professor; "I don't believe that..I can't believe
>that..I've read everything."
>
>TWO OF HUGH OGDEN'S COLLECTIONS OF POETRY HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED, AND HE
>TEACHES POETRY AT TRINITY...BUT HE'S NEVER HEARD OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY
>OF POETRY. BUT HE KNOWS HOW THESE ANTHOLOGIES OPERATE.
>
>Ogden; "The thousands and thousands of people are simply going to have their
>money taken so they can have a book with their poem in it. And it's a way
>for the National Library of Poetry to sustain itself and the people who
>run it."
>
>AND NEITHER HE NOR JUDY BELIEVE ONE CAN BUILD A CAREER THROUGH THAT GROUP.
>
>Judy: "It isn't going to happen. I mean I'm more likely to become
>a famous poet as a result of this interview....(laugh)
>

Cheryl W. Stevens
Library Media Specialist
Willimantic, Connecticut
cheryls@neca.com