Sham I Am! Scams, Shams, and Charlatans in Writing
The internet provides an amazing array of web sites, organizations, and whistle blowers to expose dubious people in the writing world.
Before you stuff that entry into an envelope or submit to the company, check the them out! Make sure there is no question about the sponsor's professionalism or behavior towards writers. Save yourself time and embarassment by knowing for certain.
This is a comprehensive database of links to ensure you aren’t involved with an questionable company! Some are personal, some are professional, all are dedicated to helping you make the right decision. Many thanks to all who’ve spent time creating these informative sites.
Disclaimer: The links provide information on a variety of contests and genres, almost all have information on poetry contests. We can not be responsibile for what material may be published at these sites.
Here are some of the best sites for more information:
- "WINDPUB" - A branch of Wind Publishing. A site dedicated to assisting writers and poets in discovering legitimate writing contests.
- WRITERS WEEKLY - The respected site dedicated to writers has a poetry contest warning section.
- Writers’ Weekly complete database of scam sites.
- ONE POET’S EXPERIENCE - With a bad poetry contest.
- ABSOLUTEWRITE.COM - Poetry scam page:
- SFWA.COM- BEWARE LIST - The Science Fiction Writers’ Association is renown and reputable for providing the famous, "Predators & Editors list of scams targeting writers. Their contest warning page.
- SFWA- VANITY PUBLISHER WARNINGS
- WOCKYJIVVY.COM - More information on poetry contests
- WOULD-BE POETS AND SCAM ARTISTS
- WRITING CONTEST WARNINGS:
- JOURNALIST-FRED NUS-SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HIS OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
- CREATIVE WRITES 14
- WRITING SCAMS
- "WINNING WRITERS" BAD CONTESTS:
- JOURNALIST DAVE BARRY SPEAKS ABOUT HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.
- SILVER POETRY CAFE
- LITERATURE AWARDS:
- THE POET'S LOUNGE
- THE LEAGUE OF CANADIAN POETS
- POETRY IN E-MOTION- Please see the, "Journal of Stupidities," pages for information.on several dubious poetry/publishing scams.
- POETRYNOTCOM- More information and advice from personal experience.
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