Sycamore the Published Poet?
 

A few years ago, some company out of Baltimore said they were going to publish my poetry...I have yet to see said books containing my work. Now comes this from Great Britain. What the hell...I have copyrights on my writings, so it's all good.

Office of the Publisher
Poetry Division
London, U.K.

17 April, 2003

Dear Terry,

As you may know, Noble House is one of the world’s foremost publishers of fiction
and nonfiction works by new and established authors. Our poetry division in the
U.K. has had the honour of publishing the poetry of more than 800 poets over the
past twelve years.

Recently I had the pleasure of reading the poetry that you have had published in the
United States. I congratulate you on this grand endeavour, and propose to you that
your singular talent and vision deserves appropriate recognition in Europe as well.

For this reason, I have posted this letter to request your permission to include
one of your favourite poems in Theatre of the Mind - a new poetry edition that is
being published in the U.K. by Noble House and slated for worldwide distribution . . .
a collection of poetry that is perhaps unlike any you have ever seen . . . one where each
poem is featured on its own page, and one whose quality is reminiscent of the finest
19th century antique poetry books.

Hearken back, if you will, to the days of Emily Dickinson, Alfred Lord Tennyson,
Elizabeth Barrett Browning and William Wordsworth . . the age of grand
bookmaking. Poetry editions were some of the most highly prized volumes because
of their intimate attention to detail – quality typography, fine ivory laid paper,
and colourful ornate covers. Terry, for this Edition, we've returned to the traditional
size, style, and quality of these classic 19th century antique poetry books.

Scheduled for release in early Summer 2003, Theatre of the Mind will surely
become one of your most treasured keepsakes. Your publication in this edition will
establish you as an international author and afford you the respect and admiration
attendant to such an honour. International Copyright notice for your poetic artistry
will, of course, be in your name, assuring that you will retain worldwide rights to your
work of art.

Best of all, should you decide to obtain a copy of the edition for your personal
library, or as a wonderful personalised gift (you are, naturally, under no obligation to
purchase a copy, notwithstanding the publication of your work in this edition), as you
proudly turn its pages you’ll find it one of the best values on the book market today.
At only £28.95 (U.S. $45.55) for a hardbound, 225-page edition printed in two colours
on ivory laid vellum, with a highly detailed, finely crafted, ornate cover, and a single
poem to a page, this Edition promises to exceed your expectations, and will enjoy
pride of place in your home. In fact, its quality is guaranteed. If for any reason you
are dissatisfied, your money will be completely refunded in U.S. dollars with proper
dispatch.

Terry, you may also wish to consider giving the public some insight about you and
your artistry for this poetic showcase . . . perhaps the meaning behind your poem, or
your own philosophical perspective. Because an entire page in the book is devoted to
honouring your poetry, we can feature this additional material about you and your
poetry on the recto leaf opposite your poem (you will thus have two full pages
devoted to you and your artistry).

Terry, may we have permission to publish your work in the United Kingdom?
Regardless of whether you purchase a copy or not, the international public deserves
to see more of your artistic talent. You may submit your poem and biographical
information, and give us permission all within the confines of the next page. And if you
are inclined to order a copy of Theatre of the Mind, you may also do so at the same
time.

Sincerely,

Nigel Hillary
Publisher,
Poetry Division
Noble House U.K.

Wow cool!

Now, before your head inflates way to far ...

If you don't buy a copy does your poem still go into the book?

Kudos. Let us know if this becomes available in the states, like at Borders or something.

Jesus.. I've never seen anything so melodramatic. I mean, it'd be cool to have your poetry published, but why do they have to "front" like that? <i>And</i> they're not going to give you a free copy of the book?? That's bullshit!!!

I think that this is an ingenious way of making money off of starving poets.

If they actually put people's poetry in their books, then it's less of a scam than some of these "honor societies" that make their $$$ by selling books & such to you and (especially) your relatives.

It'd be interesting to ask, WHERE they read your stuff... since you've never seen it in print from what you said before.


My one experience with poetry (non-)publication was actually somewhat amusing. In 9th grade English we had to write poems, an activity which for me was akin to asking a cat to swim. Our teacher further decided that we should all experience rejection (I personally felt this was futile; I already had a good bit of experience with the concept), so we had to each choose two of our poems and submit them to a literary magazine for publication. By the end of the school year everybody had duly received their rejection letters.... except me. For a brief moment, I entertained with mixed horror and pride the possibility that they were actually going to publish my dreck. But, it was obvious that my stuff had been lost or filed in the circular file in spite of the SASE.

Fast forward five years, and during my sophomore year in college I received my rejection letter and poems from Hubris (what a nice name for a magazine, I always thought). At first I had no clue what it was when I opened the envelope, but then the memory started to float up. So, that was the beginning and merciful end of my career as a poet. (I always went in more for expository writing.)

Okay, so I won't be as gentle as I wanted ... Syc, I'm guessing your offer is from a vanity press house.

I've been unable to confirm this, because the the "foremost publisher of fiction and nonfiction" appears to have manged to NOT have made so much as a ripple on the web.

So... what's a vanity press house?

You pay them money.

They publish your work.

Traditional vanity press involves people paying to have their (usually horrible and unpublishable) novels printed and bound in a lovely hardback edition, with the author receiving enough copies (typically the entire print run) which may then be distributed to family and friends, allowing the individual to describe him/herself as a published author without perjuring themselves. Since most poets do not produce sufficient work to fill an entire volume, that's why they came up with the "you get two pages in our book" version ... (they sometimes solicit poetry through a 'contest' if you submit, you get a solicitation letter congratulating you for your honorable mention prize, but also request some amount of money for a copy of the book), the writers are really financing the production of the volume. The money is made on these things by the extra copies that are sold for additional family members.

The newest version of this is "on demand publishing" ... you upload a PDF file of your book to the "publishing house" to which you pay fees for various packages (hard/softback, standard or premium coverart, additional charges for interior illustrations, do your own layout or let them 'set' the book for you, etc.) ... If anybody wants to buy a copy the on-demand printer outputs a copy of the book, binds it in softcover or hardcover depending on the premium level selected, and mails it out.

It's supposed to be the "cutting edge" of publishing. (A friend of mine worked as a programmer for one of these on-demand publishers which found there wasn't sufficient demand for their concept. He has been unemployed for close to two years now.) It's a great idea, because all the inventory is electronic until requested ... no remainders.

It doesn't seem to be working out, though.

Don't worry Wolf...you're not crushing my dreams. :)

In the music industry, if you really want to make yourself known, you have to spend a bit of dinero: $500-2000 to record some tracks at a local studio. Of course, you could always be "found" by someone who is willing to "invest" in you...Sycamore had such an opportunity in late '93. A local producer in St. Louis wanted to record us, and was going to pay for the studio time. We turned it down...why? Lack of control...we would have had no control over the production of our music. Fuck that...I don't mind input, b/c I don't know everything, but I'll be damned if I'm going to completely give up one of the most important parts of the creative process. And I don't feel bad about that decision one damned bit. Hell, if Sycamore were to be put back together now, we could do every piece of the process on our own. An 8-track recorder isn't that expensive anymore, we could produce it ourselves, then put the shit out on the net and burn our own CDs. And me being the self-promotion nut that I am, I'd hit every damned radio station that would be open to our musical style.

The print publishing industry sorta works the same way. If I really wanted to make a statement in the literary world, I would have to immerse myself in the "scene," both here in Philadelphia and in New York City. Hiring an agent would
help, and it probably wouldn't hurt to put a book together. But that cost dinero...a couple of thousand easily, which el sicómoro doesn't quite have at the moment.

I'm in a good spot though: I have a website that has featured my poetry for 4 years now and a national site that has several of my works. Not to mention, an audience of perhaps thousands here on the Cellar. (Though judging from the views of my most recent work I posted here, nobody cared. :) ) I'm also fortunate that I live in a city with some of the nation's finest colleges, and live near one of the biggest publishing centers (if not the biggest) in the world--New York City. Not to mention, technology today allows people to do the DIY method with print publishing as well.

Now, regarding this vanity press house, I didn't take a lot of stock in it to begin with...you'll notice that that e-mail was sent to me almost 2 weeks ago. I dealt with a similar situation called the International Library of Poetry in suburban Baltimore a couple of years ago. They kept saying they would publish me, and I kept looking for the book, but surprise, surprise, I've never seen it on Amazon or B&N. And they wanted my money too--not only to buy a book, but to publish a short biography of myself. (They both wanted $25 extra for that shit.) I'm from the Show-Me State, you gotta show me.

So, I'll keep writing, and maybe I can finally make some things happen, especially now that I'm out of work again. I happen to think I'm a pretty good writer, and perhaps some day, someone important will think so too.

Hubris (hopefully he'll read this)...how about the next time I'm in Baltimore, we head over to this joint in Owings Mills to see if they're truly legit...would you mind bringing your Desert Eagle along?

Roses are red
Violets are blue
If they think Syc's stupid
They ain't got a clue!:D

Hey look! A haiku!
 

I am Sycamore
Sent down from the heavens to
Stir shit up on Earth

Written by T L Blastenbrei
©2003 Screaming Notebook Publishing

i like it. mostly because you used the word 'shit' in a haiku. think you can do one consisting of over 60% swear words?

~james

Fucking ballsac bitch
Radar, bastard, piece of shit
Cuntface, dumbfuck, blecch!

7 of 11 words are inappropriate...almost 64%...how's that? :)

out-fucking-standing. bonus points for making about radar.

~james

Classic, that needs a place of honor in the cellar

I see 8 offensive words. Well, would be offensive to people that get offended by words. Blecch, of and piece are not.

My latest correspondence with Noble House:

Dear Terry,

Thank you for your recent poetic submission to our forthcoming publication Theatre of
the Mind. I am posting this email to relay to you the timeframe for the publication of
your artistic endeavour.

In approximately six to seven weeks you will be receiving a proofing copy of your
poem for your final review prior to publication (and, if you provided it, a proofing copy
of your artist’s profile as well). You will be able to see exactly how your poem (and
profile) will be presented in this elegant edition. You will also be free to make any
changes or corrections, if needed, at that time.

This proofing material will be posted to you through the U.S. mail, and you need only
return the proofing copy to our New York offices in order to approve your poem (and
profile) for final publication. A respond envelope will be provided for your convenience.

Actual publication will take place in the late Summer, after artist approvals have been
received. If you purchased a copy or copies, your books will be shipped to you via air
freight immediately upon publication.

In the meantime, if you have any questions. Please direct them to me at either our
New York office:

Noble House New York
Empire State Building
Suite 3304-19Q
New York, NY 10118

or our London office:

Noble House London
Poets House
2 Harrington Road
Leytonstone
London E11 4QW
England.

You may also email me at nhillary@noblehousepublishers.co.uk.

Yours truly,

Nigel Hillary

Actually, eight words are inappropriate if you count "Radar".

Whoops...Bruce beat me to this revelation. This might teach me to finish reading a thread before thinking myself clever.

:D

Just kidding, not like I never miss someone elses post ;)

Well yeah...I wasn't actually counting that one though. After all, the term "radar" has SOME positive connotations. :)

Damn, you people are just too real-time for my slow ass mental processes.

And to think half a year ago it was all positive to most of us.

Every thing we learn is positive, however painful.:D

I just opened up my mail and I got the EXACT SAME letter that you got, word for word, with "grace" in place of terry. Its happened to me before, too. They publish this book and then they only print as many copies as people order. Blood sucking corporate bastards. May the fleas of a thousand monkeys infest their pubic hair. ::shakes fist::

Grace

Wish scabies upon them. It's worse.

And harder to get rid of than fleas.

I just went online to try to find something for my Mother who also received the duplicate letter from Noble House. Being the skeptical creature that I am, I figured it was some type of scam. It is interesting that the only thing I could find was this "conversation" about it. The input from everyone was helpful. I think it is really sad that someone makes thier living off of exploiting the dreams and aspirations of others. I suppose that statement could be said of MANY of the "normal" businesses and industries out there. How many people haven't taken the Fred Astaire dance lessons because they knew they were the next Gene Kelly?

I must say I received the same letter from Noble House. I sent information to an attorney who found the company to be legit. I have had over 8 poems published with poetry.com and has become a lifetime member into ISP without charge. At first I thought they wer a scam because they always wanted me to buy a book but they also stated without obligation. I took my chances and used the company to my advantage as well. To have my work published and become a published poet. I shall do the same through Noble House without obligation to become a internationnally published author. :3eye:

Just found this little tidbit on another board about Noble House.

Another neat site--click on "journal of stupidities."

I'm still waiting on my artistic proof from them...I don't doubt their legitimacy, but I think they can be best described as a "legal scam."

I got a letter from Nobel House yesterday. I've been looking into it as everyone else has. Hence how I stumbled accrost this site. Knowing my publishers and where I've published has helped me come to this conclushion. I'm not going to say that I'm right but everyone is looking for an answer. The letter resembles close to all the letters I've got from the International Society of Poetry (poety.com, Watermark Press, Congress of Poetry whatever you might know them as). Yes they are all owned by or are sisters companys of one another. I'm in firm belief that Noble House has joined, been bought out or buys the information of the poets they wish to feature in their compulations.

I haven't read through all the strings of this post but most of them. As someone said they have used ISP (International Society of Poetry) to publish their work. Its a great idea and I support everyone that does this. You're work is getting out to an International audience you're being published. Feels good doesn't it? I was the same way until I looked into things a little deeper. ISP should as someone else said give everyone of the poets involved in the compulation a free copy rather than offering a reduced rate. They are making somewhere around 17.5 million a year in profits. As well as the fact that they accept poetry from anyone no matter the quality. Think of all the six year olds that submit and the parents buy a copy because their child has been published. Its a money cow! I can only hope that by publishing with them its truely helping those who want to make it in the business of writing. Otherwise we're just lining the pockets of someone who has found a legal way to decieve us, the writers.

I myself am going to submit my work to Noble House for the following reason(s). The publication of this compulation"Theatre of the Mind" is going to be 225 pages. Each page containing one single poem. The compulations the Internation Society of Poerty puts together are 265 pages crammed fully of poetry. A typical page has 3 to 6 poems in small font. So if they are picking only 225 people to submit poems for this compulation doesn't that make you feel better than knowing you're one of 795-1590? That means your work has 353% to 707% better chances of being seen. That many less poems to compete with. Look at the numbers and ask yourself this one question "Whats the next step going to be."

Take those figures and you might only be two or three discovery's away from having your own book of poetry published.
I realise that I rambled on but just wanted everyone to see what I figure to be reality. Please forgive me for my spelling as well I know its bad. Its late and I didn't feel like proofreading. Free-type is so much faster :)

Ok one last note then I'm going to bed. Really this time. Ok maybe after a smoke :P

I went to the other thread about Nobel House, read all the stuff there and finally a poem I wrote is going to get used. I'm sure it won't do the effect I want it to. But maybe it will make just one blood sucker think for a second that they are crushing the dreams of the hopeful.

Here is the poem I wrote about poetry.com one day when I thought about the evil they were doing. The one I'll be submitting to Nobel House.


How can you sleep at night?
This the only question I ask of you.
Do the images not wake you in fear?
Do those you bleed to death not scream?
Hard earned dollars stolen for your wealth.
In your pocket do they not burn?
So much hatred in the world faced towards you.
Will you never learn?
Will it be only in spilled blood you will see?
The images of darkness cast from you to people like me.
Dreams you painted with false words.
Lying to those who feed you.
By law your words true.
The government backs you’re thieving ways.
Having no soul, cheating because it pays.

At night do you not fear?
Looking behind your back,
Watching for those who stalk…
Always there following; waiting.
For that moment…
To make you bleed.
In your demise we won’t mourn.
But how can we hate?
For in death and change of rule,
There will be no real difference.
Another hawk will fly high…
Stalking us again like pray.

(c) copyright 2003
Karl C. Tompkins

I ofcorse will include a letter with my poem. Happy reading. Wonder if it will land me in jail if they press some sort of charges saying I was threatening them with their life with the waiting to bleed part...hmmm What do you think? Is the idea a go or a no?

That's pretty good...I'd send it. Maybe include a picture of you giving them the finger. (Or since they're a British outfit, their version of the finger.)

I got that same letter too. I'm wondering though how many different books there are really going to be; or if we are the chosen few. Never-the-less, it would be nice to have a whole page for your own poem, rather than 3+ on a page.
I think it would be interesting once we recieve the books to look up each others names in the index just to see if this is truely a one and only publication. Well, either way it is a nice acomplishment for all of the effort we put into our work. Let me know what you think. Kevin :thumb:

Dumb question of the day: How did you poet types find this place? Were you lurkers prior to registering, or what? Just curious...

Not a bad idea. Unfortunately, I won't be buying the book, given that I'm a starving artist and all. :D

How I found this site was I wanted to know more about the company/publishing house. After dealing with poetry.com (Watermark Press) and finding out how much they make off of starving poets I've been staying away from them. After a year maybe two of not dealing with Watermark Press I got this letter from Nobel House. When searching for Noble House I couldn't find anything reguarding the company. But when I typed in "Noble House Poets 2 Harrington Road" the first entry was here. So now you're finding lots of poets looking for information about a company and here is where they find themselves.

I just got lost and rather than looking for my way home I allowed my lazy side to set up camp and home I've now found. :D

Holy shit...he's right. Well, it's #2 now, but still...man, that's pretty cool. Welcome aboard Joe...and the other poets that stumbled in here. Feel free to explore the rest of the Manifestos and the Cellar. We're always looking for fresh blood--er, new faces.

I like the concept of being a beacon. :)

Thats really interesting. My story is exactly the same as Joe's. I'm sure that may be the case for most. Anyways, that's cool how we are all stumbling into each other at this site (which is a pretty cool site ). :blunt: Kevin

OMG! Poets.
The Cellar will be full of smoke and bongo music.
COOL ! :thumb:

as long as its not clove smoke. god i hate the way those things smell.

~james

Better get yourself a mask...cloves will be most welcome. But, if it'll make you feel better, I'll carry 2 of your favorite beers at the club. Deal?

perfect. make it new belgium sunshine and 90 shilling. :)

~james

NobleHouse
 

Hello, I am new to this forum...new to the Cellar actually.
I found the Sycamore Manifestos page while doing some snooping about "Noble House". At first i was confused, i thought this Sycamore Manifestos thing was behind the letter because everything i looked up about the addresses or the name lead back here...needless to say I was a little pissed when i found out that 2 Harrington Road in London was an English equivalent to our own Mailboxes Etc...nothing more that a place for mail to go. London office my A**.

Anyway, I was kind of releaved and yet disapponted when i actually came back and started reading the threads. Looks liek half the world got letters from Noble House wanting to publish thier poetry. Liek every aspiring poet i wanted to feel special becasue i was "chosen". Yeah right. I think Poetry.com is behind this, i bought one of there "fine quality" books with my poem in it and it sucked...crappy quality and frankly i was ashamed to show that to my family so i hid it in a trunk. and haven't bought anything from them since. I still post my work on thier site casue well, you never who might opo in a read it but... Anyway, i think this Noble House thing is poetry.coms sly attempt to coerse a bunch of people in to forking over $48 for yet another crappy book. Doesn't it seem odd the the UK is selling copies of the books for the same price poerty.com asks for theirs?

anyway i guess i will stick to real poetry contests...like the one the Boston Review does. For those of you interested here are the details:

Sixth Annual Poetry Contest
Deadline: June 1, 2003
First Prize: $1,000
Judge: Richard Howard

Complete guidelines:The winning poet will receive $1,000 and have his or her work published in the October/November 2003 issue of Boston Review. Submit up to five unpublished poems, no more than 10 pages total. Manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate, with a cover note listing the author's name, address, and phone number; names should not be on the poems themselves. Simultaneous submissions are allowed if the Review is notified of acceptance elsewhere. Submissions will not be returned. A $15 entry fee, payable to Boston Review must accompany all submissions. Submissions must be postmarked no later than June 1, 2003. All entrants will receive a one-year subscription to Boston Review, beginning with the October/November 2003 issue. Winner will be announced no later than October 1, 2003, on the Review's Web site, http://bostonreview.mit.edu. Send entries to:

Poetry Contest
Boston Review
E53-407 MIT
Cambridge, MA 02139

Cloves are mandatory (Djarum unfiltereds only, of course ... most of the others leave a LOT to be desired, although Sampoerna's will do in a pinch). Only problem I have with them is the insatiable craving for ham that I get when I smoke one.

actually, the reason i cant stand them is because i use to smoke them so much. djarum unfiltered, and sampoerna did do in a pinch. :)

there was a coffee shop called paris on the poudre i frequented when i was too young to go to lucky joes saloon. me and my friends would sit and smoke cloves, drink cappuccino, play chess and generally play the disaffected, angst-ridden teenagers for hours on end. actually, i kind of miss that.

~james

ILP, poetry.com, Noble House Publishers
 

I bet you all heard enough about scams from Poetry.com. All the people submitted to poetry.com have undoubtedly by now received an email from dear Mr Nigel Hillary, a non-existing managing editor at Noble House Publishing. Did you also get that itching feeling in your stomach when you read the email (which looked suspiciously much like the emails from poetry.com)?
Well... Not too strange, since Noble House Publishers appears to be poetry.com's newest partner on the scene of the crime.
We have another vanity company aiming for our talented money instead of our talented poetry.
BEWARE!
Read more at www.poetryin-e-motion.com . In the Journal of Stupidities you find Poetry Scam(s), part I-IX with details about the matter.:

Hey...

If we have so many poets finding the Cellar lately, perhaps we could create a place to post poetry.

We already do for the most part. All the poets here are free to post their poems in the Entertainment thread. Be mindful though...the Cellar can be a tough crowd. But if anything, it'll offer poets a chance to receive critical review, which would occur in the publishing world anyway.

I took the thread created by across boundaries and merged it into this thread, since we've been discussing ILP and Noble House here. I've also altered the thread title slightly in hopes that more poets will see this thread.

I think I am going to send in this poem for Nobel House to publish; they also can shove it up their corporate asses.

The rise of anarchy fills my eyes,
Condemning me with your circle of lies,

Giving me letters, feeding me lines,
With the only intentions of dollar signs,

Greedy Green eyes and a Dirty Black heart,
You’re putting all my poems in a shopping cart,

Making money off of endless talent,
Demoralizing your character, far from gallant,

Don’t get too comfortable with your evening slumber,
You’ve got the money, but we’ve got the number.
:finger:
(c)Kevin McElroy

I like it!

I like the poem as well. Keep up the good work. I wonder how many of us poets have wrote poems about poetry.com. I know I've wrote one, looks like you wrote this one with poetry.com in mind.
*and the wheels begin to turn*
Watch out for smoke I've got my mind going again. I've been thinking about starting a site for us poets. Not knowing how to get enough poets to the site is the only reason I haven't. That and just like everyone here we as poets like to know what we're getting into before we jump. Once burnt, twice shy. If I decide I'm going to get this idea going I'll let everyone know.

Anyone who would like to take a look at some of my work I have a few months worth on my site. Feel free to look www.e53.org/lucky http://www.e53.org/lucky

Yeah, that was pretty good. I can't really say I have any anger towards either Noble House or their American counterpart though...give me a second...

Nope...not feeling it. Maybe I can write something that pokes fun at them.

A site for starving poets would be good...I'd contribute. All of my poems are located on my site, which can be accessed by hitting the "www" button below this post.

Dedicate your works to Nigel Hillary. Thats such a great name.

isp and noblehouse scam
 

hello fellow poets,
I'm new to this site. I too was in search of hope that I had not been scammed. Unfortunately for me, I checked after my ego and check for 57dollars left for the empire state building. All I ever wanted to be since age 9 was a poet. Now, after money spent and deflated ego I have to hang my head in defeat. I don't know how to become recognized for my abilities from this day forward. I want my 15 minutes of fame. I deserve it. We deserve it. What horrible bullshit about the convention and that damn silver bowl. Oh wait, the medallion and your name in lights at the freakin lazer show. "A hush falls over the" bullshit. I am so pissed. I really thought someday my words might have meaning. I better sign off. I need maalox. This whole thing upset my GERD!
Cypress :mad:

Ok I just finished a new place for us poets to go to, Deticated to poetry. Please come over and check it out. I will try to make it a great place to go to, I'm also always up for suggestions too. It's up and running so please check it out. You can post, read, critique, and rate poems; also talk about the different publishing companies. Thanks, Kevin :beer:

<center><b>http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/251068</center></b>

Nice job Kevin. I'll probably post something over there soon.

Cypress, chalk it up to a learning experience. In the end, you "lost" $57, which in the grand scheme of things, is small.

As far as getting recognized, the easiest ways IMO are by creating your own site (like myself) or by posting them in various forums. Of course, to get truly recognized, you'd be wise to do some of the things I mentioned earlier in this thread, which isn't cheap. Do they have little cafes in upstate NY where you can ply your trade? And it doesn't hurt that you're relatively close to NYC either (more or less).

Of course, you could always post it here on the Cellar with the caveat I mentioned in a previous post. A lot of people from all over the world visit here.

Think of yourself as one of those "unsigned bands." You never know who will read your work in the end.

Several years ago in college, I had the pleasure of meeting William Trowbridge, a professor at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, who happens to be a poet as well. Three of his collections are available through Amazon. Great guy, awesome poet, but I regret not talking to him about what it really takes to "make it." At the time, I was a college student, not knowing what the fuck I was going to do with my life, and I didn't really give much consideration to writing.

You know, I STILL haven't received my proof from Noble House.

Maybe Random House Googled too:angry:
If they did, you're on their shit list, Syc.:D

upstate ny
 

Sycamore,
When I say upstate ny, I really mean it. I'm about 3 1/2 hours away from the city. I wouldn't go down there especially now if you paid me. Years ago, I went down on a couple of road trips. I have been all over this country and, lived in the south, west coast, and mid west. I prefer new england. I was in the army for a few years. Anyway, I'm not worried about the 57dollars. I just don't like to be made a fool of. I went to Kevin's site and posted a poem. Over there, I'm cyprus 17. This whole computer thing is so new to me, It took me some time to remember how to use this site. I think this is a great outlet though. I'm glad I found you guys. I should thank noblehouse for that. ;) Cypress

Another Poet Finds The Cellar
 

I also found this site whilst looking for Noble House Publishing and they do have a website now (which doesn't tell you anything much). They have no phone contact in London either - I tried.

It IS Poetry.com and ILP who are behind this. My old physical address was used to send me good ole Nigel's letter. Only poetry.com and ILP have this address. So where did ole Nige get it from as it isn't posted on their website?

Another bit of proof!!!
:mad:

But thanx for a great site - at least not so Noble Publishers led me here.

File under "bastards"

Dear Terry,

Because you requested that we notify you of important poetic events, I am delighted to inform you that in just a few weeks, we will be honoring your poetic accomplishments at poetry.com’s and the International Society of Poets’ Summer Convention and Symposium, to be held in the United States Capital, Washington, D.C., from August 15-17, 2003.

When you attend the Convention and Symposium, you will present your poetry in front of your fellow poets from around the world (Our last convention was celebrated by over 2500 poets from 58 countries worldwide!), and you will be presented with your Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Cup.

The Award is a magnificent work of art (a $200.00 value) that measures over 11 inches across and over 17 inches high, handcrafted in silver, with your name custom-engraved on a beautiful cherry wood base (see it here). I’m sure it will merit a special place of pride in your home. Your award is so large and heavy that you may wish to bring an extra suitcase to carry it home!

And Terry . . . there's much more . . .

In recognition of your poetry presentation at this prestigious International Symposium, we will also create and present to you a beautiful and colorful Commemorative Award Medallion to honor your poetic dedication and achievements.

36 POETS WILL SHARE $74,000.00 TOTAL IN PRIZES--INCLUDING
THE SINGLE LARGEST POETRY CASH PRIZE EVER AWARDED--$20,000.00!

And don't forget the most lucrative amateur poetry contest ever! Your contest entry poem can be written in any style, on any subject . . . and can be up to 40 lines long.

Just think . . . for this poem alone, you will have the opportunity to win one of 36 cash and gift prizes to be awarded at the Symposium . . including a Grand Prize of $20,000.00--the largest cash prize ever awarded in an amateur poetry competition. There's also a Second Prize of $5,000.00, two Third Prizes of all-expenses paid vacations for two, including a Caribbean cruise and a trip to Cancun, Mexico, a Fourth Prize of $1,000.00, and six other cash prizes of $500.00 each. World-renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.D.Snodgrass and movie star Mickey Rooney will be with us to congratulate poets and present the Grand Prize.

Your society is also encouraging today's youth to develop and utilize their poetic talents in a positive manner. This year we will award five $1,000.00 cash scholarships to talented young poets attending the Symposium.

Our editors and professors will also be searching for new poetic talent. Twenty poets will be "discovered" in the contest reading sessions. These winners will be awarded publishing or recording contracts that will generate international exposure for their poetic artistry.

In all, $74,000.00 in cash and prizes will be awarded at this single event!

LIGHTS . . . CAMERA . . . ACTION!

And that's still just the beginning . . . we've got three very special days planned for you . . . ones you'll never forget!

**You will be officially inducted as an honorary "International Poet of Merit" for 2003.

**You and your poetic achievements will be honored at two Gala Banquets and Award Ceremonies.

**You will enjoy dazzling entertainment shows created especially for you featuring Hollywood living legend Mickey Rooney, members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Drifters, legendary Motown singing group, the Marvelettes, plus other special surprise entertainers. These special command performances will thrill and delight you. There will also be lots of other entertainment, including Midnight Dance Parties on both Friday and Saturday nights!

**Hollywood icon and legendary star of the silver screen, Mickey Rooney, will entertain and inspire us throughout the weekend.

**You will learn more about your craft in seminars, reading rooms, rap sessions, and workshops, where you can read and discuss your poetry in informal settings with other poets from all over the world. Back by popular demand are the ISP rap rooms, our famous sunrise poetry readings, the ISP Coffee House, the ISP Open Microphone Rooms, and workshops on how to fine-tune your poetic talents.

**You will have the rare opportunity to get up-close and personal with the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.D. Snodgrass, Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, Mattie Stepanek, and Dr. Len Roberts, who will also be reading their own work.

**You will participate in a fantastic international poetry competition featuring 35 prizes totaling $74,000.00. A Grand Prize of $20,000.00, two all-expenses paid vacations for two, including a Caribbean cruise and a trip to Cancun, Mexico, 8 other cash prizes totaling $9,000.00, 10 poetry recording contracts, 10 book publishing contracts, and 5 Young Poets Scholarship prizes will be awarded at this single event.

**You and your guests will also be eligible to win one of many door prizes, valued at over $6,000.00.

**You will make friendships that will last a lifetime and will return home with wonderful memories, your Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Cup, your Commemorative Award Medallion, and lots of other special gifts.

DON'T BE LEFT OUT

Don't miss this opportunity. Space is limited, and our Conventions routinely sell out. Plan to join your fellow poets in the United States Capital, Washington, D.C., August 15-17, 2003 for the poetic event of the year! I am also looking forward to meeting you and celebrating the power and beauty of poets and poetry!

Sincerely,
Steve Michaels
International Society of Poets
Convention Chairperson