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If you write poetry chances are you have seen the ads. Win a $1000 prize for poetry. Who couldn't use an extra $1000? So you click and enter.

What happens next is anything but winning $1000. When you enter a contest at poetry.com chances are you will get a letter singing the praises of your poem and your unique vision. Be careful, this is a form letter with you name and poem title inserted in it. This form letter is not unique.

The letter will tell you that your poem was chosen for publication in a poetry.com anthology. Chances are they will keep the dream of winning a prize alive in this letter.

Eventually you will begin getting letters offering you the chance to buy a copy of the anthology your poem appears in. The books are very expensive and they play on the writer's desire to see their poem in a book. They letters lead you to believe that you need to order right away because there are only a certain number printed.

When you get your very special book it will be full of poems by people who have entered the poetry.com contest. There will be 8-10 poems per page for 300 pages. If you didn't realize that this was a scam when you were shelling out $60 for a book with your poem in it you will realize it is a scam when you see how many other people have a "unique vision". At this time you will be given the chance to order more books just in case you need more for family members.

After this you will get mail from poetry.com inviting you to submit more poems for their anthologies. You will also get invitations to poetry conventions saying that you may have won a prize.

Chances are you will not win a prize and you might end up spending money that you didn't intend to spend when you entered the contest. If you like entering the contests then go for it but beware of people who would prey on your desire to see your writing published.

Learn more about this author, Carrie Monroe.
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