United Press (Poetry Anthology)

Hi Clinton, Unfortunately you're right to be cynical. I rather unwittingly gave them my money this time last year. I got short-listed for an anthology, got very excited about it, sent them money, got copies... And then the letters started arriving. I've had a dozen or so letters in the past year telling me how much they love my work and that they would like to publish me again, and I'm afraid to say I think they are vanity publishers - I've never seen the books available anywhere else. And, to be a bit cutting, I'm glad as the anthologies I'm published in use stock images and Microsoft Wordart as titles! So, by all means, let them publish your work, but don't waste your money - and be prepared for follow up letters about other anthologies! Magic x

new MistakenMagic. and Clinton Morgan. Hi! Agree with both of you! Know all about it,was going to say something! First say your a good writer! Sent by post! How can be never done any, or one or two then! It is what! you say they are a vanity,money money make the world go around. Was published pay! pay! pay! All can mention. Get a choice of cover their titles. Must close this for now! cavalcaderl julie.xx I know few had done work too!! Trapped very excited first,then do 3 ask for one like,pay again,No No No! But all does arrive!

Same thing happened to me. Was well chuffed, but then I discovered that they are a vanity publisher. Got a phone call from them asking me to buy the book, and with a discount if I bought more than ten 'for your family'. It's a load of balls. What reputable people make you pay for your own work? I've learned that much by now. Any time I hear someone telling me to pay 'publishing costs' or 'for the initial print run' and especially if they ask me to buy copies myself, I run a mile. Makes you wonder how scams like this are allowed to be around. This might be of interest to you lot: http://www.vanitypublishing.info/ Found some stuff from this guy in The Writer's and Artist's Yearbook this year, seems to know his stuff, it taught me a lot at least. I'm much more cynical now! Good luck.

I too have had a similar experience with the same outfit. I must admit though, I took one look at all the 'money-grubbing blurb' that accompanied the letter saying I was 'short-listed for an anthology' and chucked it straight in the bin. Best place for it, as far as I'm concerned;-)

Glad to see you've posted the poem on here, Clinton. At least with United Press they let you hold all copyright so you can stick your poems wherever you like - preferably not in their inbox ;-) Magic x

They offered to publish me and it was clear to me that in my case they just had not read my work properly. I said no

Indrani Ananda I have had several poems published in United Press poetry books, but have yet to even see an illustration of one of their so-called anthologies. There are plenty of pictures of 'additional' books which they seem to concoct at the drop of a hat because there are so many poets whose names they want to "get into print." They even have a "southern" edition of each book, too! I've yet to find a copy of any of their books in a library, a bookshop or even a charity shop. If they want my poem (and it's only ever one per book), yes, I buy the book just so that I can prove I am indeed a 'published poet", but I'm dammed if I'll fork out what they ask for a profile or photograph as well. The thing I find insulting is that every poem has to be 'no more than 25 lines, including spaces' - even though there is clearly room for twice that on every one-poem-to-a-page anthology. Every poem I've ever sent them I've had to ruin by curtailing and cutting lines or whole verses out. That's like asking Leonardo to paint the Mona Lisa on a postage stamp! Then, at the end of the day they mess up the proofs and still get things wrong. I would say, yes, they are vanity publishers, but their loophole is that nobody is forced to buy a book with their poem in it. On the other hand, United press are, in a way, providing a service (albeit an exorbitant one) for all the last chancers fed up with being smothered by their piles of rejection slips. Like Rigel, MIstaken Magic, and MaliciousMudkip, I was duped by the stream of sycophantic letters in praise of my work. It came home to me after a year or two when my boyfriend got the same letter after sending in his first poem. Disappointment and humiliation became the order of the day. They have another website on which your poem is rarely, if ever, printed as you wish it to be seen on the site - even when you post it to them correctly. So, what does one do? Try self-publishing, I suppose, but, like with music, its the marketing and distribution in shops which seems impossible. Indrani.

They're a well-known scam, Cinton --> http://winningwriters.com/contests/avoid/av_avoid.php http://www.ukauthors.com http://www.ukapress.com

Hi all, I recently entered one of United Press' competitions (in December) for a local poem. There were forms in our local library so I had no reason to think they were anything but legitimate. I had a letter stating I had not won the £1000 prize but they wanted to publish my poem in a book called Homelands. As I have not been published I was thrilled and being rather naive I have sent permission for them to publish it in the book and an order for 3 copies. However I did not pay out for a profile or dedication as I thought that was just wrong. In their literature and forms they sent they quite clearly stated "we are not vanity publishers." However from reading this forum it seems quite clear that they probably are. Although they do say that you do not have to purchase any books and they will print your poem. Anyway as I thought I had been selected honestly I decided to look at their website and entered another one of their poetry competitions on a religious theme. I sent it off by e-mail last night and got an e-mail back this morning stating they are looking for new poets such as myself for a new book they are planning the 10 best poets of 2013. Initially I was quite excited and surprised as I know my poems are not exceptional. However looking at the e-mail closer the following bit set alarm bells ringing "If accepted, we may ask you to make a contribution to the cost of the book and correcting any grammar and spelling mistakes." Surely a reputable well established publisher would not need to request it's authors to contribute to the cost!! I put there name into a Google search to look up about them & that is when I came across this and another website (can't recall which) saying to avoid them. I am so disappointed in myself for falling for this as I have wanted to be a writer since I was a child and finally thought I was going to get somewhere. Thank you for flagging this up on here & I will now be a lot more careful in future. Deborah

There were forms in our local library... - you need to get your local library up to speed asap, before any more are taken in. http://www.ukauthors.com

Hi Deborah, as you may have seen from my comment above, I was completely taken in as well - it was actually a friend from ABC who warned me about them afterwards. Please don't be disappointed in yourself - so many people have been in the same boat, and unfortunately will be again. What they're doing may be legal but it's also down right cruel! All I can add is that they will keep contacting you, you just have to learn to ignore it. I was published by them a couple of years ago and I still get things in the post - and I actually got a phone call from them a few weeks ago! Thank God my phone was turned off, but they still left a very long message on my voicemail! I hope this hasn't damaged your confidence, I'm sure you're a great writer and deserve better than United Press! Magic x

Hi Mrs M, I received the same e-mail as you I think! Does this look familiar? PRESS RELEASE - RETIRED HEAD OF ENGLISH TAKES TOP NATIONAL POETRY PRIZE A powerful poem about the past has won the national Local Poem Prize and £1,000 for Terence Stanford of Coalville, Leicestershire. This huge free competition has been running for many years and entrants from 10 to 100 from all the over the UK – many of them new to poetry - submit their work free of charge for it. “It's the biggest free UK wide competition on a local theme,” said Peter Quinn, Managing Director of United Press which runs the competition every year. Then there was a photo of him receiving his prize. Was sent from some-one called Lynda. Nearly didn't open the e-mail as just said it was from Lynda, not any other details. I do know a Lynda though so that is why I opened it, although she doesn't usually send e-mails. Glad I have ignored the e-mail regarding the 10 best poets of 2013 now! Thanks MistakenMagic I did read your comment earlier. Just hope the library take my e-mail seriously & cut all ties with this spurious company! Hopefully this website & others & my warning to the library will limit any further people being taken in.