by Stan Grimes

Created on: May 03, 2008   Last Updated: July 06, 2008

Do not pay to publish your poetry. Let me explain some pitfalls. Anthologies. Many anthologies will publish your poetry no matter how good or lousy it happens to be as long as you pay them "up front" to publish it. I sheepishly admit that I have fallen victim to the anthology scam. I wrote what I thought to be a marvelous poem and being nave at the time I fell hook-line-and-sinker for an advertisement "calling for submissions."

It seemed legitimate to me. In fact, there is no law against publishing anthologies and asking the poet to buy a copy of the completed work. This particular scheme happened to be a tribute to James Whitcomb Riley an Indiana poet. I am from Indiana. I was instructed to submit my best poem and for $35.00 I would receive a copy of the beautifully bound book. This agency, to remain anonymous, kept their promise. I received a book in the mail. The beautifully bound part is questionable.

What's the big deal you ask? After all, your poem was published in a book and surely someone read it. Doubtful. The reality is approximately one hundred poets paid $35.00 each to have their poems published in a book that more than likely would only be read by the poets themselves. If my math serves me correctly, the publisher made $3500.00 minus cost of publishing, which might have ranged at that time between $300 to $500. Somebody made money, but it wasn't the people writing the poetry.

These types of ruses occur frequently. Warning, do not pay anything to have your poetry published. If you are invited to submit a poem for publishing, read the small print first, Do not allow these publishing scams to drain your billfold or purse. Be vigilant. Check the history and reputation of every publisher offering you fame through anthologies.

Now I must touch another nerve ending, P.O.D.s. Yes, Print-On-Demand publishers. Be very careful. I have spoken with so-called editors of some very big named PODs. I was told that their particular organization would publish almost "anything." Their only exception to the rule might be known terrorists wanting to publish the whereabouts of their next target. Is that scary? Yes, and I do not exaggerate. I might add that there is no editing involved, only a cursory spell-check.

Don't get me wrong. I believe there are some legitimate POD publishers out there, but be careful. Before committing to a particular publisher, read some of their published books. Ask for names of some of their authors. Finally, ask yourself, "do I want my book of poetry to be a laughing-stock in the literary community?" I'll answer the question if you don't mindno. My advice is to find an editor, a proofreader, a critic, or anyone with an objective mind. Have them read your work and give you an honest opinion about its value. Let's face it, your mother or your sister are not great sources of objectivity. Their little writer girl/boy can do no wrong. In their eyes, you're the next Robert Frost or Edgar Allen Poe.

They could be right, but get a second opinion. Your future career may depend upon it.

Learn more about this author, Stan Grimes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.