Last year I entered a poem competition with United Press. Not long afterwards I received a phone call and then a letter saying I had been chosen as one of the top 100 UK winners who would be published in the Anthology in 2017, and that the overall winner would be judged by the 100 people, a price of money at stake. I was informed that I would receive my copy of the book in Dec/Jan along with paperwork to vote. I have still heard nothing, I have phoned but calls aren't answered, I have emailed. Is this a scam? They also informed me that another one of my poems would be published in another magazine/publication. If this is a scam does that mean that they can now freely publish my poem in various publications? Any help greatly appreciated, I am fairly new to entering competitions of this nature and it has put me off a little, thank you
Yes,it's a scam although they usually follow up with paperwork and details of how to buy the book[s], first one free extra copies in the region of £27.00. Do they state the name of the other magazine? Unless you have signed something giving them rights to publish [and this may have been part of the conditions of entry - check] they have no rights to publish your work.