Overview and Context
Nowadays, people around the world make poems for many reasons – to express feelings, to create art and to make a statement about the human experience. In the last decade or so, poetry has become more and more accessible online, with websites like Poetry.com offering a platform for poets to share their work.However, there have been some controversies surrounding the website since its launch regarding the authenticity of the poetry featured on it.
Poetry.com was founded in the year 2000 by Paradise Publishing, a publishing company based in California. It was created to provide a “safe haven” for amateur and professional poets, who can post their work and have it read by other members of the site. The website also offers a variety of services such as e-books, free verse, contests, and a marketplace.
The website has a controversial reputation, often being accused of taking advantage of inexperienced poets who post their work to the site for publication. In 2003, users raised allegations that Poetry.com was not authenticating the poetry it was publishing and instead was publishing all submissions without regard to quality.
Analysis
The main issue with Poetry.com is that it has been accused of not authenticating the poetry it is publishing. While it is true that the website does not require poets to provide proof of authorship for the poems they submit, it does reserve the right to reject submissions that it deems inappropriate. Poetry.com also has guidelines in place that it enforces to ensure that only original and quality poetry is published.
A further issue that has been raised is that the website makes it easy for inexperienced poets to have their work published without going through an extensive vetting process. This can lead to potentially low-quality work being published on the website and could give amateur poets a false sense of success. It is also important to note that the website distributes publications without seeking authorization from the authors, which could potentially lead to copyright issues.
The lack of authentication does raise some questions about the legitimacy of the poetry featured on Poetry.com. While the website does have guidelines and standards in place, it is still possible that some low-quality or plagiarized poetry could slip through the cracks.
Discussion
When looking into where a poem originated from, it is important to look at the website where it is being published. Poetry.com has a long history of controversy surrounding the authenticity of its published works, making it important to look into the background of any poem posted to the website.
It is always advisable to get a poem authenticated before submitting it to any website, whether for publication or for feedback. This can be done through seeking independent advice from a literary agent or publisher, or through online sources such as plagiarism detection tools. It is also important to be aware of any copyright issues that may arise from publishing a poem without seeking authorization from its author.
Opinion
While Poetry.com is a great platform for amateur and professional poets to share their work, it is important to be aware of the issues regarding the authenticity of the poetry published on the website. It is advisable to do some background research on a poem before submitting it to the website to ensure that it is original work. It is also essential to be mindful of any copyright issues that may arise from publishing a poem without seeking authorization from its author.
Repercussions
The repercussions of publishing poetry on Poetry.com can be both positive and negative. On the one hand, the website provides a platform for poets to promote their work and gain recognition, while on the other it can also lead to a false sense of success due to the lack of authentication of the work. In addition, publishing a poem without seeking authorization from its author can lead to copyright issues.
Weighing the Alternatives
When it comes to publishing poetry online, there are various alternatives to Poetry.com. Websites such as GoodReads, WordPress and Medium all offer platforms for poets to share their work, and all take steps to authenticate poems before allowing them to be published. Additionally, there are storefronts such as Etsy, where poets can sell their poems, as well as print services such as Blurb, where poets can self-publish their work.
Ultimately, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each platform before making a final decision. It is also important to bear in mind the importance of authentication, copyright and other legal issues when publishing poetry online.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry.com is a great platform for poets to share their work, but it is important to be aware of the issues surrounding the authenticity of the poetry published on the website and the potential for copyright infringement. With this in mind, it is important to look into the background of any poem before submitting it for publication, as well as to explore alternative platforms for publishing.
