Menu
For Business Write a review File a complaint
CB Poetry.com

The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about Poetry.com

Welcome to our customer reviews and complaints page for Poetry.com. We understand that making informed decisions about where to invest your time and money can be challenging, which is why we've created this platform for our community to share their honest feedback about their experiences with Poetry.com.

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used Poetry.com's products or services. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service.

Whether you're considering doing business with Poetry.com, or you've already had an experience with them, our community's reviews and complaints will give you a valuable perspective on what to expect. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and money, and we hope that our platform will be a valuable resource for you.

Please feel free to browse our reviews and complaints and share your own experience with Poetry.com. Your feedback is an important part of our community and will help others make informed decisions.

ComplaintsBoard
M
11:08 am EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Some time ago I submitted my poems to poetry.com for a contest. I was told my work entitled "Liquid Love" won a place in their published book of poetry. I paid $61 for a printed copy but never got it. My name has changed due to marital status - formerly Marguerite Bruce Muhammad, now Marguerite Bruce. I stopped visiting their site when they kept asking me for money. Then one day the site disappeared all together.

Read full review of Poetry.com
ComplaintsBoard
J
1:39 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I used poetry.com and published a poem on there website and received letters asking to publish the poem and money was offered to me. I did not agree and I also did not receive any money and now I cannot find my poem and the website is not functional. This is very hurtful as the poem I created was from the heart and genuine and it was mine and I did not give permission for anyone to have or use it or to take it away from me

Read full review of Poetry.com
ComplaintsBoard
A
1:16 am EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

After all of these years I'm Just now learning of the Poetry.com scam. If there was to be a class action lawsuit filed against Howard Ely, I wanted noted that I too am a victim of his deceit . I ordered a case of books along with the CD's. If I've lost the rights to my poem "which is clearly, verifiably my works" I am not happy. Unlike most of the other...

Read full review of Poetry.com
ComplaintsBoard
C
8:03 pm EDT

Poetry.com the international library of poetry

They sent me a letter and said that after discussing, that the Selection Committee has certified that my poem would be published and soon on my way to have more of them published . After having sent them three poems I have ye to hear back from them . And the email address and phone number is no longer good, and have been told they are no longer in business under this name.

Read full review of Poetry.com
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
B
12:03 pm EDT

Poetry.com stay away

I joined a site called poetry.com last year. This site claims to be an international library poetry site. I frequently submitted my poems and last year approx november had notification that my poem was a semi finalist. This meant regardless of any purchase I woud be in a book…. How ever I could buy a book in advance of pulication for a lot of money if I wanted to. I could not afford to but sent details of my confirmation as requested to go in to the book….
Then I won another comp in november and should have been given a 100.00 dollar gift card, to this day it has not arrived…
This site is disgusting and very hard to contact…I have had one reply claiming they are moving and the gift will come after the move…they have not changed their add at all (that is if it even exists)
The last few weeks I have had the same email over and over again telling me that my poem is a semi finalists which I was told last year. The email says yet again I will be in their book but do not have to purchase it to be in it. This site is after ourmoney and probably our work. This should not be allowed to continue, I am not writing to make a living for some one else and taking our cash is terrible just think how much they have nade already out of innocent people like us.

Read full review of Poetry.com
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
M
7:55 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Poetry.com stolen poems used without release signature signed formsin book, internet,video and used on items they sell.

I sent a poem to Poetry.com in an contest listed on the internet under publishing. I was then by mail and email, told it had won Editor's Award, Publisher's choice Award.That I was accepted and registered as a writer "Internationaly". Form's were sent to me to make any changes and also sign the release form for it to be published by Noble House etc. I was told cost etc. I did not return anything, knowing it was a scam. I later got the same info and forms to release it to be put on CD'S . I returned nothing. Nor did I release my poem or give permission. Later by accident I found it on the internet under poetry.com, with my name and copyright2008. Also products that they sell with my poem on them for certain amounts. I printed it off from the internet as they had listed. What can I do?Are there other's? This book is also being sold outside this country as well as USA.

Read full review of Poetry.com and 9 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
9 comments
Add a comment
M
M
Michaelo1972
Tyler, US
Send a message
Jan 15, 2016 5:57 pm EST

Extraordinary Mind by Mike Williams 02/14/1999 @ 7:02 A.M. just before sunrise Houston, Texas time. Written at the age of 25, and posted on Poetry.com. It remained on the internet for nearly a decade, long before any self proclaimed poet took a notion to steal it. Every word came from my own mind, and based on my own personal life experience. My poem has been plagiarized by Matt Klotz Jun 16, 2013 (Hello Poetry under the title Your Words), Rebecca Buckley (Cannington Community College - Australia), and most famously by Andre Jordan. I still have the original hand written poem. I also have the computer it was first composed on, and posted from. To me, it is much more than a poem. It is a memory, a history, a moment in time, a personal thought, and my own voice. It is covered by the Digitial Millenium Copyright Act. Please remove any form of this poem, painted, or otherwise. I did not give my permission for its use. Copyright infringement and Plagiarism is a crime.

M
M
Marilyn Chinn
Santa Clara, US
Send a message
Feb 15, 2010 3:15 am EST

This website no longer exist. To my knowledge Lulu.com is the new one in it's place. I had between 300-400 of my poems on the website since 2004 until 2009.

S
S
shellyinsuperior9
Superior, US
Send a message
Sep 30, 2010 10:36 pm EDT

I have been reading alot about complaints from this company AKA International Library of Poets. I have had numberious poems published and I am now concerned they made profits off my work. Could I please get some information so that I can file a proper complant against this company.
Thanks, Michelle Kelley

L
L
Lorraine Hathaway
Fort Mohave, US
Send a message
Oct 22, 2009 10:28 am EDT

My wife submittea a poem & was sent a letter stating poetry.com wanted he poem if we wanted her poem in a book & a copy we sent $80.00 never received the book the phone number given is no good can't contact by E mail this poetry.com is a scam.

M
M
Michaelo1972
Tyler, US
Send a message
Sep 30, 2014 7:19 pm EDT

I also posted my original poem "Extraordinary Mind" on Poetry.com. I never heard anything about it and went on with my life. A decade later, I found it all over the net and claimed by Andre Jordan. It is my intellectual property and mine alone! I want it back! I did not give anyone permission to copy, print, post, or reproduce my work.

C
C
christina sifferd
Hominy, US
Send a message
Mar 01, 2012 8:04 pm EST

they lost my poems

S
S
Suzanne Bradshaw
Koonawarra, AU
Send a message
May 28, 2011 1:06 am EDT

I had several poems also and now if you go to poetry.com they say we can access millions of our poems.
I am doing it now.
I would like to know what happened to the organisation?
Does anybody know and what happened to their twice yearly events and the 2009 conventions?
I was actually going to go, but couldn't access the reservations website.
There didn't seem to be that year displayed. Oh well that's life, but what an event a lot of people enjoyed.

S
S
Suzanne Bradshaw
Koonawarra, AU
Send a message
May 28, 2011 12:53 am EDT

I would like to know where the books are obtainable now too? If anybody knows could they drop a line to my email address or
here please.

S
S
Suzanne Bradshaw
Koonawarra, AU
Send a message
May 28, 2011 12:50 am EDT

You were lucky. I sent off similar release forms but mine got lost so my poetry wasn't published.
Lucky for you yours was.

Kindest regards

Suzanne Bradshaw.

ComplaintsBoard
P
5:30 am EDT
Verified customer The reviewer confirmed their account using Facebook. Learn more
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

i also fell for this scam... I was a poor college student going through financial issues back in 2005.. and was looking for scholarships and saw their site banner for 10, 000 dollar cash reward. "poetry.com" i had always had a passion for writing and at the time i was also in a very emotional venerable state. I thought what the heck... it couldn't hurt any...

Read full review of Poetry.com
ComplaintsBoard
V
5:37 am EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Poetry.com online scam

Well once i received my 'Collected Whispers' that was supposed to be Immortal Verses. I looked it up online and saw that many other people had received this book to. Apparently, ALL of their poems were published on the first page, and when i looked to see if their poems were in my book, they weren't. I also noticed that there were many 'Collected Whispers' throughout the years. These books are without a doubt a scam, that made me wish i never participated in this free contest. Also, when you enter a poem on this site, you instantly get an offer to buy a 40 dollar plaque. I checked with a poem that said hi and goodbye.

Read full review of Poetry.com and 19 comments
Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Hide full review
19 comments
Add a comment
T
T
TLeech
US
Send a message
Mar 10, 2021 7:30 pm EST

Is there a way for us to obtain our poems that were posted, or some type of monetary gain?

A
A
April dudo
US
Send a message
Oct 27, 2018 10:12 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I wrote some poems and like others poured my heart and soul into my poems.im really upset that I find out it's a SCAM! how do I know if the poems I wrote aren't being used or plagiarized. Those are my feelings and thoughts. Can anything be done so I can get back my poems. Those poems are a piece of me. Help! Please!

P
P
piratejack1307
US
Send a message
Oct 01, 2018 3:54 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i wrote a poem back in may of 2000. luckily for me i never bought the book. i just had this feeling so i never pursued it at all, now that i read all of this i am so glad i wasn't taken by this thief. i feel so badly for those who were taken advantage of and remember always WHAT GOES AROUND ALWAYS COMES AROUND. HE WILL GET HIS EVENTUALLY .

K
K
kyungu Lubaba Lubadi
ZA
Send a message
May 25, 2018 7:51 am EDT

Dear Proetry.com hi,
woulde check for me and send me the book in which you published my poem under the name of Kyungu Lubaba Lubadi (mobile [protected] South Africa Durban
VIP P2625143-99(1) being the first winner on that category but who has never been informed about where about the award under the Poem '' I am not an Africa''.?
Former address was:
Kyungu Lubadi PO.Box 122274 Hillcrest 36550 K.Natal/S.Africa

petrifiedhippy
petrifiedhippy
Austin, US
Send a message
May 24, 2013 11:01 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have tried over then over to get back copies I had on this site
I have moved - under circumstance; did not always have internet til now

I have the names and ID#'s

S
S
surprisingly
Madison, US
Send a message
Jun 24, 2012 1:27 pm EDT

DID ANYONE REMEMBER SIGNING ANYTHING AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF WINNING AND BEFORE

YOU RECEIVED A COPY OF YOUR BOOK? THE preface states "that rights to individual poems reside in the artists themselves"...meaning what? Can one copyright the poem and it becomes theirs for other puposes and resale. Who has contacted a lawyer about this?

C
C
Corporate Travel Brookers
Jamaica, US
Send a message
Dec 15, 2011 4:18 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

How do we all file a class action law suit. Our poems were, in my estimation stolen from us and published for their profit.

C
C
Catcat0920
Commerce, US
Send a message
Jun 21, 2011 9:59 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

What! I too enter this contest! This is ###! My poem was in the first page in Collected Whispers. and i could not contact anyone as well! We have been cheated! And i also noticed the site is down. I never thought it was a scam! Its pisses me off knowing someone somewhere has not only my poem but every other innocent person who send it as well. I hope these ### get caught!

D
D
dj lady red
US
Send a message
May 31, 2011 10:47 am EDT

I Also submitted my favorite poem to this "free contest". They sent the same stupid letter I would be published along with an editors choice award ! and then had the audacity to say if i wanted a copy, that i had to pay for it? when arent the publishers of this so-called-book reaping the benefits already!? I was 16 when this happened so naturally i didnt realize it was a scam, neither did my parents. ): I Cant believe this website is still posted online when its not a legit organization.

J
J
J3ssi3
Woodstock, CA
Send a message
Jul 26, 2010 2:15 pm EDT

[censor] ! Doesn't surprise me I had the same [censor] happen. I sent them a nasty letter 4 years ago now. I knew it was all [censor]. It pissed me off and now Im even more pissed that my poetry is nolonger in sight. I went through a very dark time after loosing my mother. I threw myself into writting. Poetry .com published my poetry. I was very happy until I realized I had to pay for a "TRUCKIN" plack that I apparently "Won." I searched for a contact number to complain and found none so, instead with the envelope that they sent to publish more poetry I sent them something nasty. At that time I felt better knowing that they got a peice of my mind. Im sure I spoke for all.

ComplaintsBoard
B
4:58 pm EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

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

Read full review of Poetry.com and 66 comments

Giving a Voice to Consumers

We support genuine feedback

At ComplaintsBoard, we know how real consumer issues matter. Our platform is a special place for honest opinions, where people share their reviews openly and honestly, whether good or bad.

We are committed to authenticity

Our team checks each complaint or review thoroughly to confirm that each one comes from a real customer experience, keeping our platform trustworthy.

We prefer proof

We're totally cool with complaints, as long as you've got some evidence to back it up. Whether it's a photo, a detailed story, or documents, providing evidence makes your complaint more believable and helps others make smart choices.

We’re all about conversations

ComplaintsBoard is more than just a place to share complaints; it's a community where we talk things out fairly. We welcome reviews that not only point out problems but also mention any positive experiences, giving a balanced view.

We are open to everyone

We're dedicated to providing a fair and unbiased platform for all complaints. Every complaint is important to us, no matter what it's about, ensuring your concerns are heard and respected.