I recently entered my poem, What I Am, in Poetry.com contest. They misprinted it. How do I change this mistake

Question

Poetry.com misprinted a poem I entered in this year's contest. They left out a word. Foir some odd reason they won't allow me to edit this poem, I've tried every method they suggest. How do I make the change?

Answer 1

poetry.com is a scam

Answer 2

I hate to say this, but you probably don't stand a chance.

I'm a well-known publisher author (most management topics) and several years ago I was part of the team that turned around a poorly-performing nationalised business. So it was agreed that the story should be written up as a book, and we found a nationally-known publisher that had interests in both management and that particular type of business.

I wrote my heart and soul into it - especially because I wanted to pay tribute to all the 'plain folk' in the business for whom seeing themselves mentioned in a book would be a huge source of pride. And it was a great story. I remember the day that the six author's copies arrived, 'cos I started to read it in bed - and realised that the publisher had printed the uncorrected galleys. So there were loads of misprints as well as pages of absolute nonsense. I threw it across the bedroom in tears.

Three of us from the business concerned went to see the publisher: i.e. me as primary author, my co-author, and the firm's PR manager ... in other words, a pretty strong team. The publisher pointed out, in terms, that they published X number of books each year, they knew how much money they were going to make from each, and they owed us absolutely no duty of care whatsoever. In other words, tough.

I then had to sit through weeks of reading bad reviews of what was one of my best books. (It's since been translated into a number of other languages and done well). I could look at copies of it and still cry.

So, while I don't know whether Poetry.com is a scam, I do know that even well-known and orthodox publishers will play fast and loose with their authors if it suits them. I'm sorry for your predicament, but it's a bitter lesson to learn.

Answer 3

Have you called them? Or written them a letter? You should be able to edit it as you still have complete copyrights per their agreements. You do have to be very careful when you edit anything you submit on line or on paper. I have had three poems published with them and have had no problems with the three they published in anthologies or others just on the net. If you have tried to edit and cannot your best bet it to let it go for now and work on your next piece. I know it is frustrating to have your work misprinted, especially if you feel the piece is changed. But don't let it keep you from your craft. Keep writing!!!