BEWARE of Writing Scams

Just as with many things in life, there are people just waiting for the inexperienced, naive, and trusting to put their trust in the wrong place. Scams abound in the writing world, from vanity publishing companies with hidden costs and terms, to contests which exist only to take your entry fee. Here are some of the best places to check out contests you are considering.  They are the Scam-Busting Sites!

13 Warning Signs of a Bad Poetry Contest
What to watch out for before sending that poem -- or that check.
http://www.winningwriters.com/warningsigns.htm

Web Resources that Help You Identify Scams http://www.winningwriters.com/scambustingsites.htm

Poetry Awards: Frequently Asked Questions
Tips on determining whether a contest is a scam.
http://www.poets.org/awards/faq.cfm

Poetry Contest Scams
http://windpub.org/literary.scams/ilp.htm

International Library of Poetry Award Letter
Copy of the ILP's letter to semifinalists. This site also has a number of "winning" poems that the author wrote in a deliberate attempt to determine what, if anything, the ILP would reject.
http://wockyjivvy.com/poetry/shame/letter.html

Writer Beware: Contests and Vanity Anthologies
More information on what to watch out for in a competition.
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/contests.html

"For Some Artists, Success Comes with a Price"
The Jacksonville Times-Union's investigation of the International Library of Poetry.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/040301/met_5813722.html

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