"OMG I HAVE TO SAY THIS IN CAPS..." begins an e-mail from my mom. She does it often so I don't entirely understand the clarification. Until, that is, I scan the rest of the message.
I am a finalist in a huge writing contest! At least, that is what a woman claiming to be an editor (from a publishing house based in New York) told my mother. Mom got on the computer to tell me right away and send her congratulations.
I wrote her back and told her the truth... it must be a scam.
Now, I live in Cynicville. I'm the mayor. But even the most positive people can see a few problems with this.
1. Mom couldn't recall specifics (not the contest name, editor's name, or the publishing house's). Yet she clearly remembered New York. You could explain it away by excitement, I suppose. Or maybe the woman never GAVE those identifiable pieces.
2. Why not call me? I give out my contact information on my submissions. I don't give my family's. Mom gave her my number before hanging up and yet, no call.
3. I haven't sent anything to a contest in New York.
4. An unknown poet getting the attention of a publishing house is like winning the lottery with no ticket.
So, scam... be careful.
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Don't get me wrong, for two (maybe five) minutes I allowed myself to believe the impossible. For that reason alone, perhaps I should be thankful. I guess I'm not a complete pessimist, after all.
Have you gotten sucked into any scams? When was the last time you allowed yourself a moment to flirt with impossibility?
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