Are you ever harassed online by "Vanity Presses"?

@TheHorse (238268)
Walnut Creek, California
October 16, 2019 7:00pm CST
Back in the late 1980s, I was asked to be in Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering, or something like that. I submitted my information, and actually was included in that Volume. No, I was not interested in buying that Volume for $100 or so. Since then, I've received mutiiple inquiries about whether I'd like to be included in this Who's Who and that. I deleted the emails and moved on. Apparently, the various Who's Whos out there have become "vanity presses," where anybody who submits information will be included. It is reminiscent of Poetry.com, where anybody who submits a poem will be "nominated for a 'best poem' award." I had one friend who actually fell for this scam and bought a poetry tome in which the "poetry" was so bad, a Fifth Grader could have written most of them. It cost her about $150. Have you ever been contacted by Who's Who or Poetry.com?
10 people like this
12 responses
NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (127116)
• United States
17 Oct 19
I was back in college but I always threw that crap away
4 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
I wonder when they turned Who's Who into a "vanity publication."
3 people like this
WorDazza
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
17 Oct 19
I think I'm more likely to appear in a 'Who's He?' rather than a 'Who's Who'.
3 people like this
WorDazza
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
17 Oct 19
@TheHorse Who are you??
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Oct 19
@WorDazza In reality, I am just another plugger. You?
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
I think I'd rather be in that publication at this point.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
17 Oct 19
No, I suppose they prefer to contact people in your country.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
17 Oct 19
@TheHorse There are wealthy in other countries, but outside the USA who reads the "who is who"?
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
Land of the wealthy and vain.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
@LadyDuck We just have more people here. And more people means more vain people.
2 people like this
Vicki, #1 Creek Girl
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
17 Oct 19
Scams have been around forever. I had a great aunt who had her poetry "published." I don't think she ever saw what it really was.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
How long ago did she have her poetry "published"? I saved my friend a bunch of money by letting her know that Poetry.com was a "vanity scam." I write on MyLot I share my love with the world Send me my money A sure Haiku award winner.
2 people like this
Vicki, #1 Creek Girl
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
17 Oct 19
@TheHorse I'd vote for you. My aunt lived many years ago and it would have hurt her feelings to know the truth. I don't think she wasted too much money on it.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
@1creekgirl I read, years ago, that some High School English teachers encouraged their students to submit their poetry to Poetry.com. Getting "published" would enhance their self-esteem, they claimed. I was pissed off.
2 people like this
Angie
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Oct 19
I think Tony did that, no he didnt buy the book either.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
I am glad he did not buy the book. I am inspired to write (yet another) Haiku: Poetry? Not me! But I have delusions now Poetry.com
2 people like this
Angie
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Oct 19
@TheHorse Ohhhh, he thought it was some big something. I write some but ain`t no one gonna see it, its for me.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
@andriaperry Ain't noone finna see the jive monkey sh*t I pretend to create.
2 people like this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
17 Oct 19
No, I've never been contacted by either one.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
It's just more stuff to delete at this point.
2 people like this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Oct 19
Nope.
1 person likes this
Michele
@Aquitaine24 (12000)
• San Jose, California
5 Nov 19
At least you think a fifth grader can write poetry,LOL
Michele
@Aquitaine24 (12000)
• San Jose, California
6 Nov 19
I haven't.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Nov 19
Probably for the best.
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Oct 19
No but I have never submitted anything either.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
Kudos to you for not falling for such a scam. I wish I could write But I am a true moron I accept my fate Another Haiku by The Horse.
1 person likes this
Fleur
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
17 Oct 19
Me too! Only it was about ten years later. I didn't believe anyone would really want to read about me so I ignored it.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Oct 19
I read somewhere that it was still less of a vanity press in the '90s than it is now.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381741)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Oct 19
So far I seem to have stayed under the radar.
2 people like this