DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to know what happen to all the poems that were on the International Society of Poets website? I have the book “Tracing the Infinite.” My poem is in the book, but I want to get all of my poems from wherever. I want to know if they got them and how can I get them back. Can you help me? — Cheryl, tigerlilykeeper@yahoo.com

ANSWER: One of the first things Sun Spots turned up in her search was a similar question for the column from May 2009. That person asked: “Can you find out what happened to the International Society of Poets at 1 Poetry Place in Owings Mills, MD 21117-6282. I used to get a poetry magazine from them and haven’t received any for about 6 months.”

The answer then was: The International Society of Poets, also known as the International Library of Poetry, Watermark Press and poetry.com has gone out of business. According to the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, the majority of the complaints they received “allege delayed receipt or non-delivery of publications.” Some complaints also allege misleading advertising; the business is not clear that they are a “vanity press,” which publishes an author’s work at the expense of the author and typically does not market or distribute their publications.

This time, Sun Spots found some additional information on Wikipedia.com: “The domain name www.poetry.com has been purchased by the Lulu brand, but it did not purchase the business behind the Web site. Until recently, the domain name Poetry.com was owned by New Catalyst Fund. On March 7, 2009, Lulu.com purchased that domain from NCF. Publish Today and Noble House Publishing, the branches of Poetry.com that managed the publishing and printing of their books, have gone out of business.

“According to their press release, Lulu has aggressive plans to completely revamp Poetry.com and bring it under the Lulu brand. The site will be renamed to Lulu Poetry, and will be targeted to poets who want to connect with their peers and have access to resources to receive reviews and feedback on their poetry as well as recognition, contest prizes and helping them publish their work.

“Poetry.com was previously run by a Maryland-based company called The International Library of Poetry, also known as the International Society of Poets and the International Poetry Hall of Fame. This company was considered by many to be a vanity publisher.”

Sun Spots has received other recent inquiries from poets looking to publish their poems. She sees nothing wrong in publishing your poems yourself, making a little keepsake book for the poet and her friends and family. But she does find it offensive when publishers pretend that there is potential profit involved when there is not Unfortunately, there is little market for poetry these days.

As for finding your old poems, with the old website defunct, the only option Sun Spots can come up with is to try the waybackmachine.org, a cache of old versions of websites. You put in the website, select a date and hope you find what you are looking for. Good luck.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are there any small libraries in need of books (all novels) that would pick them up? Or someone who would buy them? I have a cellar full. — No Name, Auburn

ANSWER: As one might guess from the recent news of the demise of Borders Books, the market for books has seriously declined. However, there is one used bookstore. Artios Books (180 Turner St., Auburn, 786-4007) nearly closed but recently notified Sun Spots that it is still in business.

A library may welcome your donation, and some do offer to pick up. She is not sure they would be willing to haul the books out of your basement. You may have to find someone to help you with that. (Maybe a bored teenager?) But first you might want to check and make sure the dampness of your cellar hasn’t ruined the books. Paper easily absorbs damp, which may lead to mold or a musty smell.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know if anyone has any information about the “Hermit of the Desert of Maine,” Charles Coffin, whose obit ran Nov. 16 in 1929 or 1930. Thank you. — George Herrick, 143 Mill St., Box 416, Auburn, ME 04210, 782-5021

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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