CircleofPoets.Com Promotional Literature

Several web sites like Poetry.Com solicit poems for publication. CircleofPoets.com is another. This type of publication is known as vanity press.

Perhaps vanity press does have a place in society, but these companies take money from the writer instead of giving it. Vanity publication will not get your work in book stores for other people to buy, which is what may people are led to believe.

I am not endorsing CircleofPoets.Com. Quite the contrary!

I am offering their e-mail to me as an example of what can end up being a very costly venture.

Please e-mail me with your own stories of this sort of thing, how it made you feel, and what you've done about it, if anything.

Some of these companies have not even met their obligation to deliver the book to the poet. Many people drop it, sweep it under the rug as an embarrassment, and chalk up the cost as the price of a lesson learned. Vanity publishing takes money; you cannot make money in this type of publication.

The e-mail I received is as follows:




Circle of Poets - Results From the Authors' Contest


Dear Patrice Lauren,

We have chosen to publish your poem in the 2005 edition of poetry vibes. Your poem was part of a high number of entries. Our editors recognize its technical qualities. It is with great pleasure that we would like to inform you that your poem:

I remember how I cried
the day my father died.
The doctor laid the blame
when he said that cancer came:
Lymph nodes, lungs, philosophy of Carl Jung,
Words of explanation for everything,
no blame.

The service was long,
and I tried to be strong.
Yet the stench of red carnations
still fills my imagination,
People’s faces, words of the Lord’s graces
Now planted in a lawn,
for the shell of this world is gone,
Yoked into bliss.
when I think of him
there's so much we missed.

I remember how I’ve sighed,
thinking of my dad with pride.
I’d sit on his knee, my ear to his chest, listening to him hum,
And he’d give me his pennies for free.
He would mow, I’d sweep,
and then we’d have a snow cone treat.

Poles, bait bucket, tackle box,
days we spent fishing from docks.
Hair black like Elvis’,
ears and features like Clark Gable’s,
Loud animated stories
of his oil company job
at the dinner table.
Fedora, big pleated trousers,
a pocket watch on a chain,
When I close my eyes
I can see him again.

I look in the mirror and see his eyes
staring back at me In heavenly guise.
He didn’t live on to see me grown,
Or help me with the problems I’ve known.

But his gifts of life, and his gifts of love
Are still here on earth with me,
Angelically guarding and guiding
Forever through our family's journey of love.

has been selected to get published.

Though we do not offer royalties, your copy rights are fully respected.

You are also considered as part of finalists for our grand prize of $5000.

Please note that only members who order the 2005 manuscript qualify for the $5000 grand prize (this is required to fund the prize, to craft and print the manuscripts and to support our team - thank you for your understanding) and receive an invitation for the global poetry conference.

Once you order, we will contact you soon with more details on that global conference (with poetry experts and all 2005 contest winners working on technical/improvisation workshops).

Our editors select poems on the basis of rhythm, use of imagery, style and individuality. With respect to your poem "The Grandfather You'll Never Know", our team of editors has particularly appreciated the images and mood evocated throughout.

All Circle of Poets members can now read your poem in our new manuscript and we will also present it to other publishers and poetry organizations. We will ask for your authorization in the event your poem is also selected by another publisher.

Our own manuscript is made of high quality, bounded paper. The manuscript contains professional illustrations. It makes a terrific coffee table book and a great gift to friends and family!


Should you want to receive a copy (copies) before reserves run out, please click on the "buy now" image button below.


Note: If you are Hotmail users, or you can not make payment to us by using the "BUY NOW" button at the left, please copy the following url and paste it in the address bar of your browser:
http://www.circleofpoets.com/payment/payPoemContest.php?ContestPoemID=17604


For help, support, and enquiry, please feel free to contact us at [e-mail]


The manuscript "Poetry Vibes" is priced at $49 to provide for the high costs of editing, printing and for the high quality book.

Please note that due to high demand and limited supplies, manuscripts are available on a first come, first serves basis.

Note: If you don't want to receive any further news from us, please click here to opt out. Or just send an email to [e-mail].


The Circle of Poets team.