Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Scammed......Really???

POP!
Did you hear that? That was my artistic bubble bursting, thank god it was only a small bubble.

So, I have been scammed. Yes, me of all people. I am normally very careful in what I do and who I deal with, but it has happened. I seen an article in a very reputable magazine for a poetry contest, hmmm i thought maybe I should give it a try. Well I sent out a copy of my poem in late December, and really forgot about it. Every once in awhile it would pop into the back of my mind. Holidays were here and I had much to much to do, and survive the holiday emotions.

Much to my surprise, just about a week ago I received a letter from the publishing company saying "your poem made it to the semi-final rounds". WOW, Really i was so excited and thrilled, you see this poem was about my son and my feelings. So I thought that i might actually be able to share some of those thoughts with others, that have gone through the same thing i have.

I was talking to my sister and told her about the contest (because i didn't let anyone know i submitted an entry). As i was telling her she was asking about the publishing company and all of a sudden....SILENCE, knowing my sister as i do and hearing the tapping of her computer keys I figured something was up. As she was saying let me check things out, something in the back of my slowly functioning brain was saying uh-oh. Things got hectic at work and I didn't have a chance to check out the publishing name until much later.

And there it was SCAMMED!!!! The bubble popped, I only lost the small fee of a stop payment on a check, so i was grateful for that. My younger sister was so indignant on my behave that she started raising cane. I'm supposed to protect her being the older one (not telling how much older) she even called the publishing attorney. and blasted them. SO beware of of poem contests, especially if you see the name EBER & WEIN PUBLISHING.

A lesson well learned and I can actually smile, shake my head and say damn.

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just got that letter today, and my mom looked it up and told me it was a scam. Not going to send money for the book, but would it hurt to send in the official contest entry form? I mean, is there any chance of a money prize?

just being me said...

I really don't think there's any money. I sent my form in and also ordered a book until i found out it was a scam. So i only paid for a stop payment. So send out the form and see what happens. I'm still waiting to see if they will send me anything about the check i stopped. Good Luck i really hope it works for you.

xxBleeding Rosexx said...

Thank-you for posting this article. i am a 16 year old girl and in love with writing and poerty and cannot stop reading. I did send out a poem for the eber and wein publishing. i cannot believe they actually scam ppl like that. in my case i didn't send ne money. thanks to my aunt who checked out the site i never thought of it myself. if only i can sue them for every penny they own for causeing emotional distress or maybe i can settle for causing them emotional distress....will 10lb military goth boots cover it?
but this will not keep me down. but im not entering ne more contests unless i do some real well-deserved reaserch first!!!

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately I never even thought the poetry contest might be a scam as I had submitted another poem a few years ago to another publishing group that was legitimate. I received a cassette tape from them with my poem included on it.
I sent Eber and Wein a check for $56.95 April 16, 2009 and have wondered why I have not received their advertised book "Visions and Verses" where I was told my poem would be included.
I decided it was time to check out what is going on. I guess I got scammed - Well I learned to check out all such offers in the future. I have NEVER been scammed before but I guess there is a first time. It makes me really angry that people would scam us through our love of writing.

just being me said...

Anonymous,
I stopped payment on my check, and i have been driving them crazy with letters. I think i have written them at least 5 letters so far. I also make sure that i cc their attorneys. Starting and make them nuts. I sent out my last letter about 1 week ago, asking where my winner list is. If i don't hear from them in another week, i'll been sending them another letter, and one to their attorneys. When you send letters to the attorney general it makes them nervous.

Anonymous said...

wow guys your info is really helpful I to submitted a poem and believed it was legite I just never send money in but i wanted the book I didnt send in any money because i kept calling the editor with questions about the book but no answer so I just entered but thankyou that you have posted this it is helpful and it is a shame that people love to get over on people's dreams and aspirations

Anonymous said...

Wow, I was leary but I just finished writing my summary, and I decided to check out the company before sending my response back. I was going to put my book on American Express because they are savvy and wouldn't let me loose my money on such foolishness. If they would have funded it, i would have gotten my money back as a dissatisfied customer. Just a little plug for AMEX, but really that is always in the back of my mind when I purchase something like this. I really wonder how a company can stay in business and continue to make money on such scams with the wonderful world of internet.

Coach Bacon said...

Hi- I came across your comment and was in the same boat as you with the poem...I read about it in farmers almanac and submitted it, forgot about it and found a 100 dollar check and was told my poem was one of 25 second place winners. They publish these poems but will not get in touch with you about it at all. I was so surprised! Enter again-it is definitely not a scam, cashed the check today!

Coach Bacon said...

Hi- I came across your comment and was in the same boat as you with the poem...I read about it in farmers almanac and submitted it, forgot about it and found a 100 dollar check and was told my poem was one of 25 second place winners. They publish these poems but will not get in touch with you about it at all. I was so surprised! Enter again-it is definitely not a scam, cashed the check today!

Peter Arborgast said...

I also participated in this contest and bought a book. I received the book last month and I am very pleased with it. Having something tangible like a book with my poem included is a wonderful opportunity. I think this blogger is feeding us false information. Perhaps she is mad that she didn't win. You can see a copy of their winners list on their website.

Anonymous said...

I sent in a poem to Eber & Wein a while back ago, got a letter saying it made it to the semi-finals. Upon, getting the letter I also bought the book my poem was published in, The Wishing Well . I received the book a few days ago and I am amazed by it. I'm not sure this is a true blogger. The book was amazing quality and neatly done. Eber & Wein is definitely a true publishing company. They hold contests often, they even have winner postings on their site.

Kim Listro said...

I also sent in a poem to Eber&Wein Publishing. I just got the letter as you described yeserday. My friend like your sister checked it out. I figured I would do it myse;f right now. I came across this. I want to thank you. I to was excited. I've been internationally known as a poet and have won many awards. They came to me by reg. mail. I didn't see the ad in the back of a magazine.Sapphire1972

Anonymous said...

I got this letter in the mail too. It says I was a semi finalist in the contest. Then I thought maybe I should look around to see if they had a website. I came across this link. I thought I would post it.

http://www.flipkart.com/verses-visions-wein-publi-eber/1608800016-mtx3f8ewif

Here you can buy there books.

Maybe scam.

angel said...

I just got my letter back today sayin that I was in the semi finals and I had a chance to win 2000...I was so happy knowing that someone enjoyd my poetry.why are these people playin with people emotions..,? I gota put an end to them...I need ur help....my email adress iz angel.jayla2@gmail.com.....leave a message..we can end those bastards..I need ur help...Its not rite takn peoples money..It has to stop

angel said...

Am I bein scammed..so many people are saying it iz..some say they got there money..I'm new to this and I hope I'm not bein scammed...jus have to find out in jan...God bless u all

^TBM^ said...

I always learned not to send them any kind of money especially for being in a book. If they really wanted you to be in there they would do it for free. I just sent some out to them today but I just let them know I wanted to be in the contest. I think you only consider giving money is for entering a contest and even that is iffy. You definitely have to be careful and I am sorry to everyone this has happened to. That is extremely sad *smh*

Heather Kelley said...

i got a letter from them too sayin i got entered into the semi finalists and you know i didnt think nothing about it and i sent my author proof back but no money and i havent heard from them since August 9, 2010 . So im thinking they are a scam but not to suree.

denise janelle said...

i just got the letter today..and got scammed before

Tara K. Villegas(ShamrockKell) said...

I knew it was a scam right when they wanted what like $60.00 for a book a) I could put together with my in home book maker of my daughters and b)If we won or are in a book why on earth should we have to buy it??? Really.They should be paying us for a percentage of each book they sell...us buy a book...lol.Whats even worse id what are they REALLY doing with all the work we send in?I dont even remember what I sent in to be honest.

Anonymous said...

This Blog sounds like it's missing a few pieces of the puzzle. And lacking knowledge.

No one, who submitted their poem, had to buy the book.
As well, if you who purchased the book, cancelled your checks, how can you say that you would never get it?

The books, Eber & Wein publish, are for sale for anyone to buy.

The way Eber and Wein Publishing make their money is by getting your permission to publish your poem(s) in a book. (They sell the book).

It is a different form of business, marketing and sales.

They run the publishing and editing side of things... Do not hire writers but rather offer contests for writers to receive rewards in exchange of poetry.

They get enough poetry to put books together and sell...

It is a smart business.

It is not a bad thing. Plus you, who submitted your poem to be published, are now a credited poet.

You may not have made money off of this book but now your poem is at reference.

Buy the book via Eber & Wein at discount... or buy the book via Barns & Nobel online or on Amazon.

I understand if you are weary of scams... yes, they are out there, as I myself have fallen for a couple just taking a chance.

And no, I am in no relation to the company other than submitting my poetry as well.

Anonymous said...

The Eber & Wein is not a scam. You have the option to buy the book. If you do purchase the book, that money goes towards publishing and money paid out to the winners. No one is bending your arm to spit out a dime. So ask yourself, how are you getting scammed? Check out their site for all winners. Good Luck with your poem. And I too am a contestant, not associated with the company.

Anonymous said...

I Really hope this is not a scam! I'm only 14 and i was so proud of poem, my whole family is anticipating me being published and we already ordered the book :L

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest last year and won the semi finals as well. We paid for the book but it took forever to get here. I talked with Eber and Wein Publishing and they told me that all the money gos into paying the printers and editors and funding the next contest so other people who normally wouldn't be published due to their career or shyness would have a chance to be published so i let it slide. A friend of mine told me about and she did win 300 bucks after the semi finals. Millions of people enter, but i do think they make the majority of their money off family members buying the book that their relative was in. Grandma and my aunt are still borrowing the book to show off to all their friends saying im a published author lol

Anonymous said...

You can also file a complaint with the United States Postal Inspection Service under Fraud http://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx and just fill out the form send it in electronically, I did

Anonymous said...

Eber & Wein Publishing is not a scam! I have bought three books from them and I received every one of them! It was really an amazing feeling to look inside it and see my poem in print. When you enter a poem in a contest, you do not have to pay to have it published. The only thing you have to buy is a copy of the book, if you want one. I am a member of Poetry Nation.com, it is not a scam either, I have met a lot of great people on their site, read great poetry, given comments on it, and, received great comments in return! You can find books published by Eber & Wein at Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com.

Unknown said...

I got A similar letter and A book with some of my works in it thats good enough for me not looking to be published in the times for fug sake

Anonymous said...

They are not a scam. It's a legitimate company, where you are never forced to do anything against your will. Its a great business and I absolutely love their books.

Anonymous said...

I was reading this and have begun to cry... You see, I've sent in 2 poems already to E&W... I cant believe that I fell for it... They were my babies, my artistry on paper and they stole that from me. I even sent 20 dollars.... Gah Im dumb... :'(

Anonymous said...

Is it real guys? Is it?! If this is a joke then you are one seriously messed up person to jack around with a persons feelings and mind and love for writing...

Anonymous said...

Do you mean that they are a scam because they won't actually publish your books, or because they sell you books for an exorbitant price? Because I entered one of their contests, got the "semi-final" letter, my mom sent in money for the book, and it did show up with my poem in it...

Unknown said...

I received the letter yesterday. If you wait to buy the book on Amazon, will they still include your poem? Or do they only publish those who buy the book?

Unknown said...

I do know what should I do with this response. At first thought, I want to submit my summary and purchase some book. But with so many people frolicking about this...I don't know..

Anonymous said...

I'm really nervous now... I've sent my poetry to Eber and Wein before. They followed through with their promise and mailed me a copy of the book with my poem in it. I was very pleased. I don't have any bad personal experiences to hold against them, but these stories make me worried as I am about to send my second poem to them..

Booboo said...

Here's what I don't understand. How do you know this is a scam? If you go to Amazon's website, their other publications are there and price is $62.96 per book. They tell you to send in $59 to help give you a discount. They have a phone number and email address. Also, if you go to their website, they say 60-70% make semi-finals and then only 10 percent make final round. I see no scam here.

Anonymous said...

October, 2013 My 89 year old grandmother on a very fixed income called my mom so excited about her poem being published. I do see this as a scam. It specifically says "there is no cost to have your poem published." Then a paragraph later it says "There is no need to make a purchase, and your poem MAY still be published even if you do not purchase a book." This is a pay for the book and your poem will be published in it- scam as far as I can tell. Whatever it is, making people think that they "won" or to think that are in the running to win something isn't being up front and ethical. Just an FYI- the company is not listed with the Better Business Bureau. :-)

Anonymous said...

The company is actually mentioned in the BBB with a high rating.

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest and received my book today! I love it! Definitely not a scam, the books are very well done. Eber and wein is a great publishing company, and i think the poetry contest is terrific:) Id probably never get published without it.

Anonymous said...

Actually the BBB does not give them a rating. I just took a peek and there are 9 complaints and there is no rating.

gary said...

All of the good comments are about people who said they love the book they bought! This begs the question. Is there anyone who has not bought the book who happens to have won a prize or is actually published in the book?

Hence the scam. If you buy the book you get to be in the 10 percent who gets published. If this was plainly written in the rules or a letter that you have to buy the book - no scam! But, it is written that you may get published even if you don't pay for a book. I'm thinking this is a lie which, if it is a lie, would then scream - yes scam. Or at the very least swarthy, scummy, and slimy of any publisher.

Hope said...

I didn't buy the 2013 book, but I'm in it. My friend bought a copy so I didn't need to buy one. My poem is in there. I'm thinking about buying a copy actually. Now that I know it's legit. The book is pretty well done.

Anonymous said...

I fell for it to I am so disgusted I should have realized it was a stinking scam! I unfortunately sent money and my precious poem to be published in the Who's Who In Poetry contest of 2013. I have been waiting since October of 2013 not one letter or email! I have photo copy's of everything! I am sure if I look I will find the Money Order copy too! I found a telephone # for the supposed company I will be calling soon. If I don't get a response or book I am contacting a Lawyer for sure this has to stop!It is now February 10 2014!

Lena the Great said...

Aw, curses. I just got my you-are-a-semifinalist letter from them. So I'm not going to win $2000? Guess I should get an actual job, then.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Who's who in poetry is not a scam, I sent in my work and got a book, award, and pin for it. It takes a while for them to publish and send the books but it takes a while for anything to be published. I'm 20 and I've had 5 poems published and 5books received by who's who, allpoetry, and best poets and poems. They are not scams, you just have to understand that it takes time to publish these things.

Unknown said...

I had no problems with Eber and Wein. The contest takes 6 months, because they only host it twice a year, which means there is an incredible amount of patience. However, when I sent in the money for a book and submission, both were published, and I am completely and totally satisfied with them. Hope your misunderstanding clears up, soon!

Anonymous said...

I have been getting scam for the past 5 months.....and to think all I wanted to do was to write a heart touching poem.

Unknown said...

This article is definitely missing some information. I did participated in two of their 2012 contests, received 2 certificates for participation and for being a published poet. Also, bought the books. The books are great and it good to see my poems in a actual book. I'm very satisfied with them. Yes, it does take time for it to get published but you will get it eventually. And yes, you have the option to submit your poem and don't have to buy the book. I honestly recommend everyone to buy the book, since you get a discount, to have something to show people. Great piece to own.

Btw, not affiliated to Eber and Wein. Just a past contestant and now published poet. ��

Anonymous said...

I'm in the same boat you all are in, still waiting for that big check, or at least another letter saying how things are going!!!

Unknown said...

I just found out about the scam and literally right after i got my semi-finalist letter. My parents are out (i am 15) and they left so excited about their daughter being published and now i have no idea how to tell them it's all just a scam and i don't want to get published at all.

Anonymous said...

this is not a scam, they have a functioning website, an actual customer service office, as well as several books published. The only scam is the lies being spread about the publishing firm by the people who LOST the competition. Heres the website, and they have all of their contact info on point and they explain what poems make it and what poems dont proceed to the next round, THIS IS NOT A SCAM. This is a very real company. I myself am 17 and called them a few moments ago about my poem since i saw this ridiculous blog. They are not a scam and just have some stupid ignorant people posting terrible things about them because they lost the contest. HERES THE WEBSITE WITH VALID PROOF AND RELIABLE CONTACTS IT IS REAL, IS NOT A SCAM.
http://www.eberandwein.com/index.php

Anonymous said...

I just got there letter saying I was in the semi-finals (Like everyone else) And I don't know if it's a scam. I want to enter, but I want to keep my poem...I don't want them to own my poem.
I just want to be published like everyone else who send a poem to them. If this is a scam I will kick my self in the butt, and cry... :/

Anonymous said...

IT IS A SCAM!! DO NOT ENTER! THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY AND "PUBLISH" YOUR POEM, BUT THEY MAKE ALL THE MONEY AND YOU DO NOT OWN YOU POEM ANYMORE!
THEY ARE A PEICE OF SCUM.
I ENTERD MY POEM A YEAR AGO AND I GOT INTO THE SEMI-FINALS
SO I ENTERD AND I STILL HAVEN'T HERD BACK FROM THE.
AS I SAID

SCUM!

Mark said...

Eber & wein Publishing is not a scam they are a legit company you don't need to buy the book but your poem can still be published and to the people who say the poems officially become there rights and that you no longer own the poem thats a lie all rights go to the person who submitted the poem and not to the company its self and if you buy a book the money is going towards keeping this contest up and running alot of people claim its a scam but its not ive gotten a few books by them as well as contacted them they don't own the rights to your poem your just giving them the rights to publish it under your name in the book they are releasing.

Anonymous said...

I entered it got to the semi finals and bought the book. I got the book but when I seen the winners list none of the winning poems were in the book. Seems strange to me I really wanted to read the winners. I won't send another in to them.

Unknown said...

I just got published. Didn't have to pay anything. I am in the new book for 2016. Called "Eulogy"

Anonymous said...

Poetry nation and eber & wein are the same thing. Both websites have same address. I started with eber & wein's poetry contest, after I submitted poems to poetry.com. then poetry nation contacted me to become a member. I stupidly sent them almost $200 to be a member. they promised me all this stuff.... a poetry workbook, a pin (which I got, but was bent), an aluminum trophy (which still to this day has not been sent to me), to be a part of their website and archive my poems (which still to this day has not happened, I email them and no reply, there's no way to "sign up" on the website, and they never sent me a password or told me I can use a password - it's impossible to "sign in" if you cannot "sign up" and there's no password given to you, so how do you "sign in"??????). also I'm supposed to get a cd with my poem being read on it, and it's been over 6 months, and no cd. wow.

they are just really crappy. yeah sure you can send in a poem without having to buy the book. but the thing is - if you wanted to publish that same poem on your own - you've literally just lost the poem. you have to sign a paper saying that you will not publish that poem on your own.

so it seems like that they now own your poem... although they claim you have copyright to it, why do they make you sign a paper saying you are not allowed to publish the poem under your own name, like, in your own book???

it's worse than a scam. it's legal thievery.

Anonymous said...

I'm so,so,so sad I just got the letter 15 minutes ago I decided to look them up and figure out how to publish my poem!!

Unknown said...

It might be too late, but it's not a scam. 60-70 percent are simifinalists, and you don't have to pay for anything if you don't want to.

Unknown said...

It might be too late, but it's not a scam. 60-70 percent are simifinalists, and you don't have to pay for anything if you don't want to.

Unknown said...

Everyone who says this is a scam is pretty stupid. They make multiple books PER CONTEST. No one can fit that many poems into one book. Get your facts before you go making ignorant remarks about something run by veterans. Like Jesus Christ lol some of you are super funny though, so thanks for the laughs of the fellow idiots of America. <3

Unknown said...

I don’t know about you but I sent the money and didn’t get a book at all. So yea it’s a scam

Unknown said...

Unfortunately my little brother teacher told him to enter a contest and he did they sent a letter saying he was a finalist and the book was 70 and pay extra to put a thanks to your teacher under your poem we sent the money and never heard anything back. Wish we had known about this before too late but it’s unfortunate and discouraging to a teenager who already was skeptical about submitting in the first place.! I am livid.!

Unknown said...

OMG- How many years has this been going on!? People, take it from an English teacher: do your homework on this company! Yes, you can send poetry in; yes, you will make it to the "finals"; yes, you will get published. NO, you will never find any of these anthologies in the Library of Congress or in any public library in this or any other country. If three people buy the book, they will publish 3 copies; if 1000 people buy the book, they will publish 1000 copies, no more!To find your work in an anthology such as the ones produced by this company is good only for your ego. Don't put it on your resume, however, as vanity publishing is not truly considered "being published."

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Unknown said...

Should we be worried about them stealing our work and using it for themselves? Like taking our work and having it published under someone else's name? I've submitted two poems to them called Breakthrough and A Dance With The Devil by Michelle Cranmer and didn't realize it was a big scam till now. But I'm really hoping no-one is stealing our work for themselves as their own from people who have submitted poems to this website. I didn't give permission to publish my poems by signing their letter because I knew about royalties when your stuff is used to make them money and they wanted me to buy their expressions book so I wasn't doing that. I guess that should have been my first clue that it was all acscam but my aspbergers autism didn't let me figure that out till seeing this blog. But now I'm concerned about my work being stolen, and anyone else who has submitted their work to them through poetrynation.com. Please let me know if they are actually going to go so far as to steal our work

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