My Poem "Suicide" to be Published

Hi everyone,

I am on a high today, I have just received confirmation that my poem "Suicide" has now reached the finals of the International Open Poetry Contest to be held in June 2005 and that's not all. My poem "Suicide" is also to be published in their Summer Anthology "Eternal Portraits". I really can't believe it. I sent back my permission slip immediately as this will mean more publicity for my writing. This is my 3rd poem to be published by the International Poetry Library - you can find my poems on http://www.poetry.com , just search for Amanda Evans. You will receive a huge listing. My poems are titled "Withered Love" - this was published in a book titled "Tender Moments" in September 2001 (my first publication), "Birth" and "Suicide" - both of these poems are to be included in the Eternal Portraits Anthology.

I do have a question however, exciting as it may be to have my work in print I sometimes wonder do companies like these just publish anthologies to make money. I have been asked to purchase a copy of the anthology for $49.95 plus $11.00 shipping (and this is the authors discounted rate) and I am wondering if it is just a gimmick for them to make some extra money. I did purchase a copy of Tender Moments back in 2001 and I have to admit that the book is really well made but I just feel like $60.00 is alot to pay for just one book. What do you think?

Would you be prepared to pay?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this,

Till next time,

Amanda.

I've Been Ranked

All my hard work has finally paid off - I've been ranked. I still can't believe it. Searching just my name - Amanda Evans - on google ranks me in 3rd, 4th, 16th, 37th, 47th and 93rd and all for different things. My ranking for 3rd is for a website called Sensual Venus. This is where I have some of my erotic poetry published. Ranking number 4 is for ezinearticles where I am listed as an expert author, my blog at lulu.com is ranked 16th and so on..........

If I search my name - Amanda Evans - and the word poetry I am ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 19th. I am still in shock and this is just with google.

Searching with Yahoo brings up similar results. Just searching my names - Amanda Evans - ranks me 17th, 32nd, 76th, 82nd and 112th and just as above these are all for different websites. Searching my name and poetry ranks me 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 11th.

It really is amazing to look up your name and to see so much. I really can't believe all this has happened in just a few short months. My website traffic has soared, I guess search engine placement really is vital afterall.

Look forward to updating you all soon,

Thanks for reading,

Amanda.