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Poetry.com review: Fraud! 66

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4:58 pm EDT
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Keep getting letters from Mr. Ely saying my poem, poems will be published in some compilation, but I have never given my permission for them to be published anywhere but on the web site poetry.com.

Someone please put this company/scam artist out of business!

Sincerely, Linda Bentley

66 comments
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Lalalalalalalalalalalal
Hollywood, US
Jan 10, 2023 7:49 pm EST
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The poor people of society can't publish their own books because they have no clue they can get their own book printed, DUH! People may have poor paying jobs and can barely pay their rent and considering how dummies voted in a ZOMBIE, ooops again, Pelosi CHEATED the BOZO in and the economy sucks.

Save 10% of whatever money you make even if you have a sucky job and in time print your own book and sell it, anywhere

Poetyry.com seams like a real scam

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Woods l
, US
Nov 28, 2022 3:00 pm EST

My name is Linda, I was not aware of this until I just went to look for my poem, mymmyppoempoemBut here is the letter

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leena37
nyc, US
Sep 03, 2022 10:15 am EDT

i have lost a substanial number of poems that were my best work. one poem went back to 1990. everry time i think about it i am heartbroken and angry. someone needs to do something about this bogus site.

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Arbee Bowdre
Louisville, US
Feb 10, 2022 12:40 am EST

My name is Arbee Bowdre

I to am a victim. I wrote poem back

I [protected] and then later in 2012 or

So. The owner of the web site was Howard Ely.

He also sent me fake tickets to a convention

In Florida. That’s when hurricane Katrina hit.

I wrote many poem with hopes of Winning.

Who do I contact

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SherryDorae
Pittsburgh, US
Feb 03, 2022 9:26 pm EST

I have submitted several poems on that site. My very first was submitted on paper in 1989. Before internet and websites were a thing, my last submissions were in the 20 teens before the site disappeared. I certainly am heart broken to have had all of my work over those years taken from me. I hope something is done about this. We all deserve to have our writings returned to us and to be compensated with interest for any books or materials they profited from that contained our works.

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Sylvania Shoola
Waukegan Illinois, US
Oct 27, 2021 4:27 pm EDT
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I see all of these reviews, what can we do about Howard Ely, yes I am too a victim of this scam. I wrote poems from my heart. Dealing with death love, I wrote about it. I recently went online looking for my work no place I searched could it be found. We all got to do something this is a travesty. Millions of beautiful pottery stolen.

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Quanita
, US
Aug 26, 2021 10:17 am EDT

I submitted a poem many years ago in the early 2000s under my married name... I received an editor's choice award.. and a hardcover book called peaceful journeys with all poems in it. And I have a plaque with my poem on it... I was told that I would get paid.. SMH

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Ernie Rose61
, US
Nov 24, 2021 6:21 am EST
Replying to comment of Quanita

Wow. Can you email me Cubs4life55@yahoo.com. does anyone have a copy of "numbing the pain" 2004 editors choice winner. My ex GF Krystal wrote it in maybe middle school and i would Love to somehow attain a copy for her I miss her please help thank you

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tony c anderson
Nunica, Michigan, US
Feb 12, 2021 5:31 pm EST
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i too a self publisher author Tony C. Anderson had a few poems on that site now vanished.I don't know if they were ever published. but thankfully never fell for buying the books.

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Eric L Miller
, US
Jul 15, 2022 7:18 am EDT

I feel your pain, I just want my poems!

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Melissa Huffine Woods
Oliver Springs, Tennessee, US
Dec 28, 2020 1:38 pm EST
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I had dozens of my poems on their website and now I can't even find any of them! What happened and how can i find them all again?

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Ineedmypoemsback
, US
Dec 06, 2020 3:46 pm EST

I too am a victim of this nonsense. I was a freshman and sophomore in high school when I entered my most cherished poems on poetry.com. This was back in roughly [protected]. I'm so heartbroken and angry that I cannot find my poems. I was always getting mail and emails stating that I had won contests over and over. It was such a crucial time in my life and writing helped me get through so much at a young age. If someone knows anything about this and know what we should do about it, pleeeeeeaaseeee let us know!

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Sammie Wright
, US
Oct 19, 2020 5:52 pm EDT

I posted about 15 poems on this site using different aliases. Poetry.com shutdown and noone can retrieve anything from the archives since. Supposedly it will be back up and running anew soon but all old archives will still be lost. I have found that at least one of my poems were published anyway without my consent, and as to cover their tracks since I wasn’t buying the book they put author unknown. I didn’t find that out until 11 years later because I saw where someone took a picture of the page with my poem called “Miss me but let me go” and posted it to facebook. I wrote it in memory of my uncle just after he passed away back in 2004. They will still publish your writing, but they won’t give you the credit for it. If anyone has bought one of their books and finds my poem in it please let me know. Hopefully poetry.com was sued for every penny they scammed and more. It's not right that they publish peoples poems without consent to do so. I told them no to publishing any of mine and so has 3 of my friends, we all 4 have had our poems published without consent

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Katie Duncan
, US
Sep 17, 2020 7:27 pm EDT

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This has been going on for so long now, I first entered the contest in 1999, I saw it the my post newspaper smh I can’t even find my poems.

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Tina Ely
, US
Sep 05, 2020 10:20 am EDT
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I fell for it when I received what was a certificate stating I won. Now I'm sure everyone got the same thing. It was ironic because my married last name is Ely. No kin to Howard of course. I'm in to sue the sob. I take my poetry very seriously as it comes from deep down inside my soul. Please email me if you need to. tinaely1754@gmail.com

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Melissa Huffine Woods
Oliver Springs, Tennessee, US
Dec 28, 2020 1:40 pm EST
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Replying to comment of Tina Ely

I can't even find any of the poems I submitted to the website. I had dozens of my poems and now I can't even find one.

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kristin Potts - Rivera
, US
Jun 12, 2022 8:20 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Tina Ely

Omg! Me too! I was given many awards for my poetry. And also specifically hand chosen by their panel of judges to compete against other poets whom also were editors choice winners as well to the finals in Florida I think. But every time I sit my poetry there they sent a hard copy in the mail so it was typed out in this nice little font so I have copies of my poetry but I would love to get it on this lawsuit so I think that's very messed up and I was taking advantage of and I'm hurt. My email is kristinr68@gmail.com

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Tiffany Williams Boyd
, US
Aug 01, 2020 9:06 pm EDT

I would also like to fail a lawsuit on Howard...I was a sophomore in high school and this sick a$$ needs to be punished for all of this

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Abby Williams
, US
Aug 19, 2021 11:18 am EDT

If anyone finds anything out, please email me at sisabbyd@gmail.com. I am also a victim. Happened to me three times and I can't any of my poetry work. The website isn't even the same anymore.

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NikiSue
, US
Jul 16, 2020 6:32 pm EDT
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I have letters from the years 1999, 2000, another in 2000 and 2006. that my poems were chosen and would be published. I remember all those years ago wondering if my mail/ letters / anything was lost in the mail. I would like to see my work somewhere in print and get my $ as everyone else. i’ve held on to these and came across them just today and sadly it was all a scam I beginning to see. I will still hold on to these papers for proof if anything becomes of it. sadly and doubtful but one can always hope.

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ceddie001
, US
May 01, 2020 10:57 am EDT

I too, was a victim of this site. I lost my poem, plus the book I had to buy it was published in, to a house fire. I have been searching for it online but now have learned poetry.com & the poems published have gone missing without so much as a trace. If there is a class action suit to be filed U’d like to be included.

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NikiSue
, US
Jul 16, 2020 6:34 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of ceddie001

I also would want to be included in a class action law suit if one would happen.

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4koolKids & Friends
, US
Nov 27, 2021 11:58 am EST
Replying to comment of NikiSue

I would like to be added to my name is PORSHAUN WALKER email porshaun@gmail.com I was very young in 2006 I was given In editors choice award for outstanding achievement in poetry with Eli Howard signature I can’t find my 3 poems where copy written he even wrote me to retro childrens books and short stories please this is my passion and pain someone reach out and give me a update on what to do ?

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JPea
, US
Oct 08, 2019 1:10 pm EDT
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Wow, I am also a victim of this. I not only bought 2 books with different titles; I also bought the CD that included the poems. So, is there any way we are going to get our credit that is due to us for the submission of our poems?

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NatHerrera
, US
Jul 30, 2019 5:32 pm EDT

Does anyone know where I can buy the book or the name of the book published in 2008? I am so upset at this situation. This is the first I am hearing about this because I am trying to get back into writing again.

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Tracie McVicker
, US
Jun 15, 2019 11:38 am EDT

I too am a victim from 20+ years ago. My poem was published and then they wanted me to buy the book! It is not right what poetry.com is doing. I was young at the time and didn't know any better. I only remembered all of this when my daughter came to me about wanting to put her stories on the app called Wattpad. Please be careful future writers and help those who don't know any better. I sure wish I had someone guiding me back in the day.

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Gina Scardina
, US
Mar 01, 2019 8:12 am EST

I recently talked to a friend and she encourages me to write more poetry. I had forgotten that I had submitted a poem that long ago and was promised to be published until I found the letter in a drawer that I was cleaning out. Very disappointed that I was scammed according to these posts. Will be on the watch list to see how this all goes down... Cheers

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angelis_obscura
, US
Feb 02, 2019 3:31 am EST

I too sent money to Howard "Sleeze-Lie" from approx [protected] for the Vanity anthologies. Being Canadian, the easiest way to do this was by purchasing an American money order at the post office. The first 3 poems I "published" showed up, but the 4th never did.

At least the exchange rate was in my favour.

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Melissa_143
, US
Nov 29, 2018 3:16 am EST

So what are we going to do? I want my poems back, at the very least! Is there a lawsuit to be brought? If anybody has any ideas, please email me-- ImAnEpilepticFish@gmail.com

~Melissa

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Hayley1989
, US
Sep 19, 2018 7:10 pm EDT

Well I guess I was scammed also, I have a copy of touch of tomorrow with my poem in the first page... Just curious, in everyone else's copies, what is the second poem and who by? I was scammed way back in 2004/5 or rather my mum was as I was only 14 at the time. I am gutted to find out this is a scam, I never looked into it afterwards and being in the UK there was no way I could ever get to the "awards ceremony" I am just interested to see if the rest of the books are the same or if they put that person's on the first page of their book and then everyone's throughout... I know that seems a waste of time and effort but it is a theory 🤔 my poem was called 'Beware' and is a sonnet

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Margo Ott
, US
Oct 10, 2021 3:18 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Hayley1989

I have a copy of Touch of Tomorrow with my poem on the first page. Your poem is not in there. My poem is called “Fishing”.

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Momma Ta
, US
Jan 12, 2018 10:37 pm EST

I am sooooo late and I always wondered about this my happened in 2003 and my pien was published and I received a EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD and Invite to a convention in Hollywood stating I too was in the top 10 semi finalists. What did you all do?

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Kristyanne
, US
Nov 06, 2017 8:52 am EST

I can't believe I'm seeing this. I submitted several poems through poetry.com from 2004 on using my legal name as well as a pen name and I also received an email that my poem would be published. The email described a contest that my poems placed in and that I was eligible to purchase the book they would be published in. I never sent money as I couldn't afford the 50$ (give or take) dollars for it. I have been searching for years to find these poems as I no longer have the computer with the original drafts in the hardware and I am just sick to see that this was a scam. If anyone is going after them in a lawsuit, please contact me as I still have the emails from the company. kristy_anne@msn.com I would be more than happy to share my experience to help put these people out of business for the harm they have done as well as the false security they made me feel about sharing my personal thoughts. Thank you. Kristy~

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Momma Ta
, US
Jan 12, 2018 10:39 pm EST
Replying to comment of Kristyanne

Me as well please anyway! Let's stay in touch

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rsilva
, US
Apr 17, 2016 3:12 pm EDT

I won editors choice award in August 2002. I was 16 yrs old at the time. I recieved the award for my poem "I believe'' and Ive been trying to look for it and it seems I can't no longer find it. Was this a scam to make you believe something that wasn't?

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Virginia Mau
, US
Feb 11, 2016 8:59 am EST

Hi there, I too was taken...back in 2000! I recently moved and found the old papers informing me (my then 13 year old son) that his poem would be entered into the hardbound book. Sent Around $71.00...never received anything...was looking online for poem TODAY, 2016, cant find it. Was astonished to see all the comments this many years after...how sad!

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Kelli Dalzell
, US
Feb 07, 2016 8:11 pm EST

I am a victim too...entered a contest and was told my poem was getting published in a book, but I had to pay for a copy of the book...

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Angry poet
, US
Aug 30, 2015 1:15 am EDT
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Sorry about your dilemma, I paid $231.00 in October 2003 for 10 copies of the 'book' and got nothing. Just found my poem in the 'historical' section of the 'new' poetry.com.

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Angry poet
, US
Aug 30, 2015 1:13 am EDT
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In September 2003 I supposedly was presented with the Editor's Choice Award for outstanding Achievement in Poetry presented by poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry. I received flyers inviting me to purchase "An heirloom-quality publication using the finest materials and craftsmanship; 5.5" x 8.5' hardbound, approximately 225 pages." . Of course, I naively believed in this and immediately charged $231.00 for 10 hardbound "publications" ...HA! I received nothing. I kept thinking, they will arrive any day...of course they did not. When I started searching for a phone number, I found nothing. I sent a letter to the address "1 Poetry Plaza, Owings Mills, MD 21117" and never received an answer.

I was discredited by my friends and family, and was humiliated by the fact not only did they NOT believe the poem had been published, but even more by the fact I had actually PAID the $231.00. IF there is anything to be done, or can be done, I would like to be informed WHERE to sign up!

I just went online this evening, August 29, 2015 and found poetry.com...and my poem is listed on "Poems before 2012" much to my surprise.

Would love to hear about the monies.

Sincerely,

Lita R Reyes

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Momma Ta
, US
Jan 12, 2018 10:51 pm EST
Replying to comment of Angry poet

Same everything omg! I can't believe this

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Charles Brockington
Philadelphia, US
Apr 24, 2014 1:06 pm EDT

I am a victim as well. Howard Ely promise to publish my poem(s) in an Anthology, but never got a copy of it nor any winnings. Howard Ely wanted me to buy my own poetry...
can you believe that? A-hole.

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antalas
montreal, CA
Mar 17, 2013 2:23 pm EDT

hi, i am a victim too, i sent 32 $ dollars and i never got anything, i hope FBI can do soemthing about it, lest all meet victims of Howard ely and get our rights, lets meet through the name HowardElyvictims in one word on facebook, thank you

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bryanakron40
, US
Mar 10, 2012 11:21 pm EST

I think you will find that Howard Ely is an alias. My wife too was scammed by them. However, we chose to look at it as she wrote something good. Yes, you paying to have stuff published is a scam. But do not let them take your dreams away. If you stop just because of this, they have won.

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latinapoet71
Big Spring, US
Mar 10, 2012 11:10 pm EST
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hi my name is lorie and i guess i too like everyone has had their dreams crushed. i for the longest time wanted to be a known poet for myself my family and friends. always wanted to leave something for my miracle kids they told me i would never have. but i did! and now i find this out what am i to do with what i already wrote and sent tho poetry.com and the books i paid for but made no money!? how can someone do this to our dreams? karma is a b**ch.

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Raelynn617
Somerville, US
Jan 02, 2012 6:50 pm EST
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Wow I've been trying to login to my poetry.com account and all that comes up is this stuff about lawsuits because they took our poems! I've used that site since I can remember to publish my poems. Is there anyway to get them back at all? What do I do? Smh...

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babygurl851
Cameron, US
Dec 01, 2011 12:09 am EST

I also am a victim in this scam...i never realized it was a scam till i remembered putting my poem on that sight, i wanted to show my fiance it and when i got to the site i had to re sign up, i did not remember my way old email and stuff so i did so i could see if it was still there, i tried looking under the title of my poem called a lovers correl. it was no where to be found i was pissed. it was my most heart felt poem i ever did. i got a editors choice award presented to me on paper from Howard Ely in June of 2005. for outstanding achievement in poetry presented by poetry.com and the international library of poetry. this guy totally needs to be stopped and punished for the souls he has taken in poetry. i am so glad i NEVER bought A PLAQUE OR A BOOK. but still it hurts me to now just find out he is a scamer. i have been fooled.

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Conned Canadian
Ottawa, CA
Nov 28, 2011 12:05 am EST

I too was a victim of this scam & -hole ! What a total betrayal...when poetry is so personal & close to the heart of the person who is sharing a part of their own soul ! Shame on you ...Howard...you "SHMUK" ! KARMA will play a factor in your life...it always does :) Pissed In Canada ...

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nycboi9345
Davidsville, US
Oct 18, 2011 9:47 pm EDT

This guy is a ###. Nobody should have been a victim of such a terrible scam. And I'm sad to say I have been, too. I found out Late April, early May of 2010 that this was all a scam. Not only did he steal money from me, but he stole my thoughts. That is the most intimate of crimes a person can commit against another person. I will never be able to forgive Howard Ely for what he has done to me and to everybody who he turned into a victim.

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carl allen askey
lasalle, US
Aug 24, 2011 8:13 am EDT

well i guess thats where all my poems went and why i cant find that website anymore [censored] im in lets take this ### down

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lost poet
montreal, CA
Jul 13, 2011 4:17 pm EDT

Me too, I ve been ###d, sorry, by this guy, Howrd Ely, he robbed two of my peoms and my money. Come on ###, can FBI do something catch these terrorists, come on we are terrorizedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd, ###!