Rebecca Zanetti's Blog, page 25

What's the Deal with Slander?

Welcome to legal musings!  I haven't written a legal blog in a while and thought maybe I should.  While I'd like to discuss the legislation regarding internet piracy, that bill has been stalled in committee and doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

Some time ago there was a hubbub on twitter about an agent allegedly threatening a client with a slander case because the client allegedly talked about their current contract on the internet.  Note that I have no idea if this really happened or not.  However, it does bring up a couple of interesting issues regarding slander (spoken) or libel (written).  Basically:

THE TRUTH IS AN ABSOLUTE DEFENSE TO EITHER SLANDER OR LIBEL.

Yeah.  So if you're saying the truth…you can't be sued for slander.  Well, now…you can be sued.  I mean, anybody can file a lawsuit.  But you're going to win for sure because you're telling the truth.  People don't tend to realize this.  The truth can be mean and even hurtful…but it isn't slanderous. 

Also, your opinion is mostly protected.  If you're just giving your opinion (I think Bob is a total jerk), then you're probably all right.

So what if we're not telling the truth?  Something to think about is that unlike most areas of the law, slander/libel law treats different victims differently.  How odd is that?  Public figures (actors, famous writers, politicians) are treated differently.  You can say meaner things about a famous person than you can your next door neighbor. 

In other words, if you're a famous author and someone slanders you…you have to prove they did it maliciously.  Your Aunt Betty doesn't.  Why is this?  According to the United States Supreme Court, public officials and celebrities, the Court has said, have chosen to step into the limelight and subject themselves to public scrutiny. They need less protection because they have more opportunities to counter false information published about them.  See New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254, (1964), and Hatfield vs. New York Times, 532 F.3d 312 (C.A.4 Va. 2008.)

So there's a brief overview of slander and libel law.  Though we all should just go back to what we learned in Kindergarden…if you can't say anything nice…

CYA Disclaimer:  This is not legal advice.  If you need legal advice, hire a lawyer.  If you're planning on slandering someone…stop it.  Karma doesn't follow the U.S. Supreme Court decisions.  Karma will nail your butt.  If you're being slandered, tell all the writers on your yahoo loop–we often work with karma to find justice.  Again…this is not legal advice.  Just sayin.

Filed under: Legal Musings Tagged: author, legal musings, libel, mermaid disclaimer, NY v. Sullivan, public figures, slander, truth defense, writer

A new excerpt of CLAIMED

Hi all!  I've been so busy on my blog tour that I've been ignoring my own blog.  Sorry about that!  I thought it'd be a nice change to add a brand new excerpt from CLAIMED available only right here.  So, here it is:

She ran her palms down the hard muscles of his chest to his tight abs.  Finally.  She was finally touching him.  So much strength—truly worthy of a king. 

She yanked free the button of his pants, and her gaze met his while she released his zipper.  Her breath came in short pants.  She was more than a match for the leader, as he would soon see.  Emma leaned forward to nibble on the sizzling skin she'd dreamt about.  The reality tasted even better.  Smooth, salty man tantalized her when she nipped at his collarbone.  Then bit.

He growled low, hands going to her waist to tug her to the ground.  She opened her senses to him.  His heartbeat echoed throughout her own head, and then…he stilled.

His head lifted and he scented the air.  Slamming his metallic eyes shut, he swore.  He grabbed her shirt and yanked it up her arms, holding tight to the front.

"What is it?"  Her stomach dropped in fear.  "Did the Kurjans find us?"

"Worse."  Dage shifted her to the side and stood, lending a hand to help her up.

Two men crowded the entrance to the cave—the men from her dreams.  "Your brothers?"

"Yes."

Her mind spun.  A hollowness echoed throughout her body that may never be filled. "How is that worse?"  She took his hand, holding her shirt together with trembling fingers. 

"Because I can't kill them," Dage said grimly, pulling her forward.  He nodded at the green eyed brother in the lead.  "It's nice to know you followed orders and went to secure the facilities as needed."  He shifted his focus to the copper eyed brother.  "One word Jase, and I'll rip out your jugular."

Jase wisely kept silent, though the twinkle in those eyes laughed hard enough to make sound. 

The first man threw caution to the wind.  "Hi Emma.  I'm Conn."  He clapped Dage on the back.  "We couldn't let the king miss the ball, now could we?" 

Ball?  What ball?

Filed under: CLAIMED, DARK PROTECTORS Tagged: CLAIMED, CLAIMED excerpt, dage kayrs, Dark Protectors, emma pauleson, excerpt, Kensington, Kensington Brava

Writers Who Care Project

Hi all!  I'm one of the authors taking part in the Writers Who Care Project to donate to CARE INTERNATIONAL, an organization that assists refuges from Somalia.  Here's the rundown on the project:

How does it work? Working with CARE INTERNATIONAL, Writers who CARE: the 50/50 PROJECT will allow anyone who makes a donation of $50.00 to submit 50 pages double-spaced of a work-in-progress for a 1-2 page critique by one of the participating authors.  All donators wishing a critique must have access to e-mail and the Internet for correspondence with a published author in order to qualify. Authors and donators will be matched on a first come, first serve basis as long as slots are open. The project is also open to those wishing simply to make a donation to this worthy cause.

There are many amazing authors listed on the site – go take a look!

Filed under: On Writing Tagged: 50-50 project, critiques, Writers Who Care

FIVE chances to win CLAIMED–right here, right now

UPDATE:  Random.org went to work and the winners are:  Danielle Gorman, Lucy Dosch, Kelly Mueller, Stacy McKitrick, and Elizabeth Sogard.  I've emailed the winners seeking addresses.  Congrats to these folks and thank you to everyone who commented!

The wonderful Megan Records sent me early promo copies of CLAIMED, which is Book 2 of the Dark Protectors.  For this week and this week only, I'm giving away five copies.  I have many copies of FATED to give away during my ongoing blog tour, but my CLAIMED copies are few and far between.  So now is the time to enter–and I'll have random.org choose five names after midnight on Friday, September 23rd.  The contest is open world wide.  You just need to leave a comment below to win.

Also, don't forget to check out my blog tour for chances to win FATED!  So…good luck!  If you need a prompt…here it is:  What do you think is scarier–an enraged werewolf or a furious vampire?

Filed under: CLAIMED, DARK PROTECTORS Tagged: CLAIMED, Dark Protectors, Fated, giveaway, Megan Records

A Very Special Moment…

I've wanted to write this blog post for some time.  While I'm all right at making up character's emotions, I'm not so great about sharing my own.  But, I'm ready to share.  When Lynn Rush emailed and asked me if I'd be interested in reading WASTELAND to provide a cover quote, I was stunned.  Honored, really excited, (because I hadn't been able to read the entire book yet, and Lynn was offering to SEND IT TO ME), and…stunned.  I can't really describe what if felt like when an author I truly admire wanted to quote me on her BOOKCOVER.  An actual quote.  With my name!

This writing journey is made up of moments.  The first time you write "the end."  The first time you submit your story—the first rejection you get.  The first "the call" you get… your book in print…and being quoted on someone else's book.  Yeah, there are 'first' moments still coming up for me, I hope.  But I wanted to say that being quoted was truly a special moment.  Lynn's first book, and my first quote.

I agonized over that quote!  I loved the book and so wanted to get the words just right.  Finally, I just told the truth.  When all else fails, say what you feel. 

Here's the quote:

So, Lynn, thank you so much for sharing the moment.  And for the rest of you, go read WASTELAND.  I promise you won't be disappointed. 

Filed under: On Writing, Random thoughts, Road to publication Tagged: cover quote, honored, Lynn Rush, moments, Wasteland

Wanna win a Book?

Happy Monday, Everyone!  So, a couple of announcements today.  First, I'm at both Cynthia Eden's and Nikki Brandyberry's giving away books today.  Cynthia is holding a release party for two of her e-novellas and is giving away MANY books today–so hop on over!  Nikki asked me to guest blog about timelines in a paranormal series.  I did…and also talked about the bear I saw last weekend.  Really.  Stop by for the details!

Filed under: Guest blogging elsewhere Tagged: CLAIMED, contests, Cynthia Eden, Dark Protectors, Fated, giveaways, Nikki Brandyberry

The Day is Done

Hi all!  I'm busy writing today but wanted to drop in for a quick blog.  I'm hoping to have news about the next three books in the Dark Protector Series soon–but these things can take some time.  So, how about I put up my favorite poem?  Yeah, I've never put up a poem before.  But I love this one, and it inspires me.  I took the picture one night. 

            The Day Is Done

The day is done, and the darkness

Falls from the wings of Night,

As a feather is wafted downward

From an eagle in his flight.

I see the lights of the village

Gleam through the rain and the mist,

And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me

That my soul cannot resist:

A feeling of sadness and longing,

That is not akin to pain,

And resembles sorrow only

As the mist resembles the rain.

Come, read to me some poem,

Some simple and heartfelt lay,

That shall soothe this restless feeling,

And banish the thoughts of day.

Not from the grand old masters,

Not from the bards sublime,

Whose distant footsteps echo

Through the corridors of Time.

For, like strains of martial music,

Their mighty thoughts suggest

Life's endless toil and endeavor;

And tonight I long for rest.

Read from some humbler poet,

Whose songs gushed from his heart,

As showers from the clouds of summer,

Or tears from the eyelids start.

  —   by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Filed under: Random thoughts Tagged: The Day is Done

Author Lynn Rush is on the Hot Seat…

UPDATE:  Random.org chose Amy Lynn Michael as the winner!  Congrats! 

I'd like to introduce my friend, Lynn Rush.  Lynn is the author of WASTELAND, a truly awesome paranormal romance that you just have to read!  She began her writing career in 2008. She has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in the mental health field and has enjoyed applying that unique knowledge to developing unique characters.

A former inline speed skater and mountain biker, Lynn has been known to test the limits of her athletic endurance. So, when she's not writing, she spends time enjoying the Arizona sunshine by road biking nearly 100 miles per week with her husband of fourteen years and going on jogs with her loveable Shetland Sheep dogs.

So…here are my questions for Lynn:

What inspired WASTELAND?  How and why did you decided to write this particular story?

I wrote it in December 2009 in my fourth month of unemployment. I poured my heart into writing during that time and this was a product of that. The emotions. The frustration of having to deal with something beyond my control. Something I hadn't asked for and didn't want.

I'm known to just sit down and start writing, and that's what I did with this, too. But looking back, I can see the connection to what was happening in my life at the time.

 2.  I've read WASTELAND and I have to say…I loved the emotion in it.  Well, I also loved the hero.  Tell us one thing about your hero that no one else knows.

**glances around, then leans in**  He secretly watches re-runs of iCarly.

Jeez, I sure hope he doesn't read this interview, otherwise I might get an up close and personal view of his claws. But seriously, on the flight from New York to Arizona, they crammed pop culture stuff down his throat since he'd been in sensory deprivation for so long. One of the things he saw was the iCarly show. Spencer made David laugh, which is actually pretty difficult to do, considering he's a tad twitchy from imprisonment and the fact that he's a half-demon….

3. Being a half-demon…well…the guy is hot.  WASTELAND is labeled as 'new adult.'  What exactly is 'new adult' and how does it differ from both young adult and, well, adult?

I get asked this a lot. It's fairly new on the scene. Some have talked about "Upper Young Adult," which is pretty close to what is meant by New Adult.

My publisher described it very well with this description: Young adult stories are just as complex as any mainstream novel, however you'll find the romantic element is handled more gently in comparison. Also, the characters are generally in Middle School or High School. A New Adult novel takes the story to the next level romantically. The characters are usually out of school and confronted with life challenges.

4. I loved how your characters dealt with their life challenges.  Speaking of life…what's next for you?

Wasteland II (which I'm tentatively calling AWAITED) is off to my crit partners to be hacked up. And while they're doing that, I'm working on the edits for VIOLET MIDNIGHT. It's book one in the Violet Night Trilogy, which Crescent Moon Press will publish.

5. So while you're editing and writing…you're also promoting.  You're known as a bit of a social media guru.  Did you set out to be one?  If not, how did it happen?

I am? I really love social media but I've never thought myself a guru. I've met tons of great people, that's for sure, and I love interacting with them. I'm a pretty positive and optimistic person, so I think that plays into the Tribe that's developed. Or, they just want to read about me torturing myself on 70-mile bike rides. :) No. Seriously…I really just want to be a positive and encouraging space on the net. There's enough junk out there to bring a person down, right?

6. So true!  And I think one of the reasons you're so successful socially is that it seems like you truly like people.  You really enjoy the interaction.  If you could be anyone else in history (you have to choose someone), alive or dead, who would it be and why?

There are quite a few people to choose from, but I'd have to say Esther. At church we had this series about Heroes. It was wicked-awesome, but when I heard Esther's story, I was hooked. A mere mortal, unlike the characters I write about, Esther risked her life to save those she cared about. Brave enough to face death.

 I'd love to have a fraction of her strength and courage.   

7. I'm pretty sure you do.    Thanks so much for agreeing to an interview on my blog.  Is there anything you'd like to add?

First, I'd like to say thank you for having me on your blog and being a part of the tour. This has been super fun. And I can't thank you enough for your support!

Hey, readers–I'm curious, how would you guys answer #6? I'll give away a signed copy of Wasteland to a commenter. If you're not a US resident, that's okay, I can send you an electronic version. I'll pick someone tomorrow and contact the winner–Rebecca can send me the winner's email.  Have fun with this!

Isn't she great?  A couple more places to find Lynn and WASTELAND on the web:

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/pavzwE
 All Romance E-books:  http://bit.ly/nujjjp
 You Tube Trailer:  http://youtu.be/k-KRE1yMiNk


Filed under: Author interview, Guest Blogger Tagged: Catch the Rush, Crescent Moon Press, demons, Lynn Rush, New adult, new adult romance, paranormal romance, social media, Violet Midnight, Wasteland, Wasteland blog tour

Labor Day Blog Hop–Woman on the Run

UPDATE:  The winners from my individual blog are:  ARC of Claimed = Ragan Cornell.  Signed copies of Fated = Becky Ward and Christine Hundelt Hirth.  CONGRATS!

The winner from the overall blog hop is:

Hello and welcome to the Labor Day Blog Hop!  I thought I'd write a scene from a picture.  Besides the prizes I'm giving away on the entire hop, I'll give away two signed copies of FATED and one signed ARC of CLAIMED to randomly chosen commenters on my blog.  Comment about anything.  Tell me if you liked the scene, or what you're doing for Labor Day, or just say hi.    You have until late on Sept. 5th to enter.  If you've fallen off the blog, just click on the "Hard at Work" blog hop photo to jump back on. 

ALSO:  The Darker Temptations scavenger hunt is still going on for the rest of the day-click on the link for directions to win great prizes!

WOMAN on the RUN:

It was ironic he'd caught her on Labor Day. A national holiday most people took as a day

of rest.  Ronan never rested.  Lucy had known he'd find her…it was just a matter of time.

Time was up.

In fact, time pretty much stopped.  The lantern's golden glow dimmed to a light haze.  Music receded.  Even the boisterous college guys at the bar seemed to quiet.

The second he grabbed her hands, the world narrowed to him.  Even though it was futile, she tried to yank  back.  "Let go or I'll scream." 

He smiled, his gaze dropping to her mouth.  "You know I like it when you scream."

Jackass.  Heat flushed through her as memories clouded her mind.  Ronan, in the shower, steam and sex.  The man kissed like a god.  And he just got better from that point.  "I'm fairly sure I don't remember."  Yeah, right.

The scent of man washed over her as he stepped even closer, heating her entire front.  His grip tightened and raised her skirt. "Maybe I should remind you."

Low, gravelly, his voice slammed need into her abdomen.  "Leave me be, Ronan."

"You told me to hunt you.  Consider yourself caught."

She stiffened.  "I did not.  I never said to hunt me." 

His eyes warmed in equal parts amusement and warning.  "You said it was either the jewels or you…that I could only pursue one path.  Here I am."

Her breath caught in her throat.  The man chased treasure like a dragon…he was made for the quest.  When the information on the rare yellow diamonds came in, she'd known he'd head straight for the last known location and forget to come home.  So she'd emailed him her goodbye.  Or her challenge, depending how one choose to look at the situation.  "You were overseas."

"Yes.  It took me a week to catch your trail." 

"You chose me?"  Confusion had her clearing her throat.  She'd known he'd eventually seek her…after he found the diamonds.  "I mean, first?"

"Of course."  One dark eyebrow rose.  "You're everything.  I believe I've been more than clear on that point."

Romantic words, yet he sounded seriously pissed.  "Yeah.  Until you left me behind last time to go searching."  For five months, they'd had to text and email.  They were supposed to treasure hunt together.

"The last quest was for the government and had nothing to do with treasure.  It was blood, death, and futility."  His gaze hardened to a look she'd never seen before.  "You don't know me very well if you thought I'd put you in that situation."

She did understand.  His protectiveness had never bothered her before.  But five months was a long time.  "So.  What now?"

"Well…now I was thinking about how a yellow diamond would make a perfect jewel for an engagement ring.  If we can find one, that is.  What do you think?"

The world finally stopped tilting.  Her world finally calmed.  She smiled.  "So, is that a proposal?"

His grin shoved the shadows out of his blue eyes.  "Yes.  From now on, all hunting is done together.  I promise.  What do you say?"

Warmth and love settled in her solar plexus.  The man was just too much.  She leaned up to brush his lips with hers.  "Well, now.  It turns out I have a lead on the diamonds and am supposed to meet a source in an hour.  As to the proposal…I accept."

So, leave a comment below for more chances to win.  Now, if you haven't commented on my blog before, it takes awhile for a new comment to show up.  So no worries…I'll get it in time.  Also, I may be camping without internet service, so I won't be able to respond to comments until next week.  But thanks so much for stopping by! 

Filed under: Blog Hop, Scene from a Picture Tagged: CLAIMED, Dark Protectors, Fated, jewels, Labor Day, romance

Scavenger Hunt – win print books, e-books and ARC's!

Hi all!  Sorry about the dual post today – I don't usually do that.  But…had to let you know…there's an awesome scavenger hunt going on today and tomorrow where you can win tons of stuff.  Several of us paranormal authors have formed a group blog called DARKER TEMPTATIONS, and we're starting things off with a bang.  GIVEAWAYS!

Go to the blog for directions on how to win.  To tease you, here's a list of prizes:

From Sayde Grace – two digital copies of her books
From Cynthia Eden – an ARC of Angel of Darkness or a digital copy of Never Cry Wolf
From Danica Avet – digital copy of any one of the Veil series and a set of Romance Trading Cards
From Rebecca Zanetti – signed copy of Fated
From Kristin Miller – digital copy of Intervamption
From Marcella Burnard – signed copy of Enemy Gates
From Katie Reus – digital (or audio) copy of Deadly Obsession and a digital copy of Destined Mate when it comes out in October
From Erin Kellison – signed copy of your choice from the Shadow series


Filed under: Darker Temptations Tagged: Cynthia Eden, Danica Avet, Darker Temptations, Erin Kellison, Katie Reus, Kristin Miller, Marcella Bernard, Sayde Grace, scavenger hunt