Sun > Status Update

This is an appalling situation and I feel for those readers who have been betrayed by an author(s) they trusted.

Shaz wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Shaz, I understand where you are coming from and what you want to achieve. But please have in mind that by avoiding this topic and by keeping silent you give SH the chance to keep hi..."

I also understand your sensitive position as mods of such a huge group, but the thing we are now trying to achieve is to warn ppl from SH and his goons AND to finally try to stop or at least moderate bullying that is the sickness of GR.
AND, because you and the other mods afraid from the bullying, you turn your head.
I’m not judging you, because I know it’s a tough job, I’m just asking you to please try and DO find a way.
Would you think it’s ok to go to a school principal, telling him your son was bullied and his unswer was: I understand, but the bully’s parents are scary bullies too so my hands are tied.?

I just wanted to add my thanks and support to all those who have had the strength to come forward and those who have suffered silently.

I had no connection them other than having read the books, so I've had nothing to add, but I'm disgusted at what these people have done. The depths of the hurt these people caused is unfathomable and I hope everyone who was hurt and betrayed finds peace as this awful situation continues to finally be addressed.

Alona wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Shaz, I understand where you are coming from and what you want to achieve. But please have in mind that by avoiding this topic and by keeping silent you give SH the chan..."

We are, right at this moment, trying to find a way to give information without setting off a lynch party. I've given up on going to bed, as I know I won't be sleeping until I have something up regardless. So please, give us a little bit of time to get the wording right and to post it to the group.

Shaz wrote: "Alona wrote: "Shaz wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Shaz, I understand where you are coming from and what you want to achieve. But please have in mind that by avoiding this topic and by keeping silent you gi..."

Of course!
Good luck Shaz.

Like Jenni Lea, I wasn't going to publicly comment either for fear of hurting my marketing business. I reached out to Susan privately but now I feel like it's not enough. I stand behind every one of the victims in this mess and I am so damn proud of all of you who were relentless in bringing the truth to light. In all my years moderating the M/M Romance group, I've seen this happen time and time again. I know how hard it is to get someone, anyone to listen to you because these relationships we form with people that we think are our friend, that we think CARE about us are so hard to break away from. And when they are SO popular and so entrenched in the community, the whispers fall on deaf ears. You have to be brave enough to SHOUT and you ladies, well you kicked ass. I'll be at GRL this year so let's have a drink and let's bond and let's remember the good things the M/M community has done and will continue to do with advocates like YOU. Love you guys.

Thank you Shaz.

Susan wrote: "I guess the moderators are fans?"

In no way am I a fan of his or his posse of writer friends. In fact I am probably taking the personal blacklisting further than some others who are able to forgive easier than I can. I thank those who shared their stories here and online and even though I had no personal stake in this other than purchasing a few books I will be offering my opinion to the publishing houses still affiliated with him.

Thursday & I will also ask Dreamspinner what the plan is. I would be surprised if there wasn't something already in the works. Thanks to you all for being so brave and speaking up.

I was barely even involved but I felt a frisson of fear posting after Santino had threatened Brad, not knowing what would come. Seeing these stories...the lengths that were gone to...sad. Scary. You've been through a lot.

I hope some of this brings you all some healing.

I wish goodreads had "like" or "up vote" buttons. I would be pushing them so hard right now for so many of you.

JenMcJ wrote: "I wish goodreads had "like" or "up vote" buttons. I would be pushing them so hard right now for so many of you."

I live on Twitter and yesterday I so wanted a heart to click for so many of these posts!

I don’t really have a story to share as I have mostly kept my distance from SH, after having read some messages where SH was coming across quite badly. I was part of the group where the housewarming gift occurred and thought about contributing, but these messages put me off and I didn’t do it in the end. I also didn’t talk to anyone about this, thinking that it must be me, since everyone seemed to love SH. I also continued reading SH’s books until very recently, having decided to separate the person from the author, but I now think I should have tried to find out more at the time.

Thank you everyone who were brave enough to bring this to the light and were finally heard. I had no idea how big this was and how much harm it did to some people. Hopefully, people will find a way to overcome this.

Anne Boleyn's Ghost wrote: "Shile loves books wrote: "Check this out on what he said inspired him to write about NFL

From little league to high school to college ball and the NFL, I’ve grown up watching coaches belittle thei..."

Whaaat? this is just so wrong. *SMH*

I haven’t said anything on here becaus I felt like I didn’t have the right. I still feel like I don’t have the right, but I’m so sorry he did all that shit to you guys. That thing with Noah has me fucked up, that’s some despicable shit.

I wasn’t around when Santino became uber popular, was there in the beginning when he did a few guest posts on my blog, never had a conversation with him, never read his solo work. I was one of those who thought it was a pen name issue and so on and I apologize for that. I looked deeper and didn’t like what I saw and that Noah thing really messed me up.

Again really sorry this happened to you all ❤️

To Noah, stay strong buddy YOU ARE AMAZING!!

Shaz wrote: "We are, right at this moment, trying to find a way to give information without setting off a lynch party. I've given up on going to bed, as I know I won't be sleeping until I have something up regardless. So please, give us a little bit of time to get the wording right and to post it to the group. "

Imho the best thing to do would be to post the link to Riptide's Statement and nothing else.

Personally it would be my preference for an outright statement saying you believe it but I appreciate the shitstorm it would create.

Also Lori, TJ and the other authors who have taken a stand - as well as the souls speaking out - thank you. Just thank you.

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Fabi wrote: "Jax wrote: "I just saw the post by L.A. Witt defending SH just now. Is she still defending him? She was a fav of mine and it hurts to read ..."

This. I'm going to pick up Brad Vance (Santino threatened him with a lawyer on FB after he posted a link to this thread). Also, Leta Blake, HL Holston, Isobel Starling, Clancy Nacht and Sean Kennedy all go on my to-buy list. Some of them got into it with Karen and Megan on FB.

I will be writing Dreamspinner this afternoon when my daughter takes a nap.

Cadiva wrote: "Personally it would be my preference for an outright statement saying you believe it but I appreciate the shitstorm it would create. "

Thanks, Cadiva. We've got something written and it will be posted shortly.

And yes, trust me, I wish I could scream out loud how I feel so nobody would think I sympathize with SH & his posse, but unfortunately, being a mod does limit my replies in the group. And having been a member for almost 8 years now, trust me I've seen shitstorms from both sides of moderating, and neither is a good or pleasant view.

Debra wrote: "I just wanted to add my thanks and support to all those who have had the strength to come forward and those who have suffered silently.

I had no connection them other than having read the books, ..."

I'm more or less in the same position. I have no personal relationship with SH and his close author friends other than interacting with them on a casual basis via Twitter & FB. I just loved the 5B books so much, I'm not going to lie. LOVED them.

Funnily enough, the first inkling I had that something was hinky was over that damn football book. I saw him on Twitter talking about what inspired him to write it and then somewhere else (I legit can't remember where - a blog tour I think) saying something completely different. I dismissed it, even though I've been around and seen cat fishers caught out time and time again, not to mention my own experience with a cat fisher in the QAF fandom once upon a time ago. I defended SH and dismissed the claims being made against 'him'. I actually didn't even read any of the evidence the women had presented, instead siting them as the guilty party and the ones at fault and poor Santino. Eugh. I feel wretched just thinking about it.

I am SO SORRY, to each and every one of you who I dismissed and didn't listen to, even when I KNEW in my heart that something wasn't right. I wish I had listened to my instincts and just taken the damn time to freaking look - it's all there - and then everything made sense, all the little discrepancies (of which there are too many to mention) began to add up.

I am sorry and heartsick that I didn't listen sooner. The ridicule, bullying, victim blaming and LEGIT harassment you guys have subsequently faced over the past year must have been devastating, rage inducing and frustrating on every single level. You ladies have my gratitude, support and admiration for coming forward in the first place and for continuing to speak up even in the face of such rabid opposition.

I for one will be taking a long look in the mirror at myself.

Help me out....who is Susan Lee that spent days/months with SH? Where does she fit into this narrative? Was she the PA?

https://twitter.com/SusanNYLee

I'm glad this has stayed out of the m/m group and I don't think it's fair to ask the mods to try and cope with something like this. I'm equally glad I could be directed to Riptide statement from the comments on here. That tells me everything I need to know. I don't want to say too much because I'm always one of those people who put their foot in it but I'm so sorry for anyone who has had bad experiences like this.

JenMcJ wrote: "Help me out....who is Susan Lee that spent days/months with SH? Where does she fit into this narrative? Was she the PA?

https://twitter.com/SusanNYLee"

This is her status post I believe.

AnnMarie wrote: "This is her status post I believe. "

Yeah, I read it and I was wondering how she spent so much time with him, why that was the case.

Ugh, AnnMarie, I'm dumb. I thought you were referring to the twitter link, not this post. I get it.

JenMcJ wrote: "Help me out....who is Susan Lee that spent days/months with SH? Where does she fit into this narrative? Was she the PA?

https://twitter.com/SusanNYLee"

My understanding is she was a fan of Sonny and as a favor, got Marvin a job. She and Marvin worked together. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Reading this thread has become therapeutic.
Thank you to all of the voices that continue to join in.
Betrayal ignites anger but underneath the red lies pain. And the healing hearts shown here make me smile through my tears.

Noah *huge hug*

Authors speaking out, thank you!

A friend mentioned her reading pool was reduced to a reading puddle because of the blind support from other authors. I felt the same. I'm happy to see my puddle...growing again.

JenMcJ wrote: "AnnMarie wrote: "This is her status post I believe. "

Yeah, I read it and I was wondering how she spent so much time with him, why that was the case."

Oh from what I understand she worked with one of the couple but she is in HR and is uncomfortable sharing specific details.

Shana wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Fabi wrote: "Jax wrote: "I just saw the post by L.A. Witt defending SH just now. Is she still defending him..."

It´s fair that I say here Voinov, Suki Fleet, Avery Cockburn, Cole McCade, Mathew Metzger, JC Long, Merikan. They all spoke or shared posts before Riptide said anything :)

AnnMarie wrote: "Oh from what I understand she worked with one of the couple but she is in HR and is uncomfortable sharing specific details."

Oh, is that Susan, this post owner Susan? Ok.

Marbles wrote: "Well done Riptide.

I've emailed Dreamspinner, Penguin, and St Martin's Press. I suggest you all do the same."

St Martin's Press...I missed that one. Thanks, marbles.

JenMcJ wrote: "AnnMarie wrote: "This is her status post I believe. "

Yeah, I read it and I was wondering how she spent so much time with him, why that was the case."

If you refer back to post 134, she answers that question.

I want to thank everyone who has spoken up. I was never in any SH group and have only read a few of the books but I followed them on twitter and believed what they said. I’m sorry about that now.

Susan wrote: "Why am I so inept when it comes to posting pictures on GR? Grrr...

Anyways, Kate Pavelle, whoever you are, you're CANCELLED:

From FB:
"Publishers are bound by contracts. If a publisher breaks a ..."

Holy crap!!! By the time the dust settles on this one my list of who I won't read will be longer than who I will...seriously uniformed people need to do their homework before opening their mouth. Thanks again for sharing Susan.

xbmbgrl wrote: "Lisa (a Mod) posted a buddy read for for Down by Contact in January so I'm assuming the group is showing bias by not allowing the info to be posted."

In our defense this was well before this situation was well-known. The mods have posted about this subject, if you are a member you can find it HERE.

To everyone who fought so hard to let their voice be heard, thank you! Thank you so much for being brave, and for not backing down. Your courage has opened the eyes of many former SH fans, myself included. I wasn't as involved as many of you, but I loved the books, and I followed SH on social media, although I wasn't aware of anything he/she/they did behind the scenes. Now everything just feels tainted, and it's a shame, because the writing was good. But I do NOT stand behind bullies. I refuse to support authors who do despicable things, so to me, SH and his posse are off my reading lists. To everyone who got hurt by them, I'm so sorry, but you have our support. We're listening now. You are all amazing people. Thank you.

From dreamspinner's fb group: they are no longer selling SH books

Aeren wrote: "From dreamspinner fb group: they are no longer selling SH books"

I love to see corporate America responding to its consumers.

Yes!!!

Confirmed on Twitter what Aeren said:

https://twitter.com/dreamspinners/sta...

Fabi wrote: "Aeren wrote: "From dreamspinner fb group: they are no longer selling SH books"

I love to see corporate America responding to its consumers.

Yes!!!"
Also they are removing the book from third party retailers like Amazon.

Aeren wrote: "From dreamspinner's fb group: they are no longer selling SH books"

Yes, I saw that. Thank you, Dreamspinner and Naomi Grant.

From Dreamspinner: https://twitter.com/dreamspinners/sta...

Sakura wrote: "Confirmed on Twitter what Aeren said:

https://twitter.com/dreamspinners/sta..."


Actually, we may need to thank TJ Klune for Dreamspinners quick response.

Thanks TJ! You're awesome.

You ladies with the courage to blast this to the world. Hats off to you! I hope you're feeling at least a little vindicated and can find the path to healing now.

😘😘😘

Sorry, could someone list the authors believed to be in on this? It be nice if there was a blacklist/whitelist of authors. I do hope that those who have been linked to SH do make a public statement at somepoint.

Hey, everyone. I just learnt about SH this week and have been flabbergasted like everyone else. Never been a fan, so I didn't feel like it was my right to comment, but wanted to pop in to say how awed I am by the amazing people who have come forward to bring this catfish to light. You are warriors! I love and support and believe you, and will do everything I can to amplify your voices. Thank you! The community is stronger because of you.

A social worker who early on commented on all this in Twitter PM'd me a day ago telling me that even if the result is just, I will struggle with mood swings and to take care of myself. She's right. Yesterday, I was purely enraged. Today, I'm embarrassed, vulnerable, and traumatized.

Noah's story is very much exactly like mine. Santino saw pictures of me, and reached out to me to tell me he thought I was cute. Little comments here and there. Next he wanted me to chat with him in private to watch Breaking Bad or this movie. He opened up about Mike and Alicia, Silvio, his "ex wife", his "kids". I knew all about the single dad story who had liver cancer.

He started calling me his "irl gf" not just in private but public too, he started commenting on my breasts, how adorable he thought I was. He knew I was lonely, had just gotten out of a long-term relationship, bisexual, and had been through some trauma/bad times.

I opened up about sexual assault with him; he told me of his own. I've since spoken with others, and we ALL got a different sexual assault story from him. This is the depths of his evil, people.

He consistently wanted to watch porn with me; for us to do things together while doing this. I went along with it. He asked if he could come to New Orleans to fuck me; I said yes. He asked if he could bring Silvio or Roman; I said sure. He kept wanting to visit me. He wanted me to visit him. He asked for nudes from me. I almost did it, but I chickened out.

He often times seemed unsure of what we'd talked about before. I believe that Mike and Alicia were switching out with each other at this point. I have no idea who I was talking to in some of these situations.

A friend noticed his way with me, even if it was in public. People commented that we should "get a room" or "stop flirting in public". I'm sure people will back me up from that time, if they remember.

We eventually cooled off & he did other non-sexual horrific shit to me, but I think they were scared I might reveal what we did. I had his real name (even if I did think he was the "roommate"). I had his real home address. I had his real pics (again even if I did think he was the "roommate.") So he started telling ppl that he never hit on readers or authors. Which is ridiculous. I know of several others he did this too. People he manipulated to open up to him about their pain, their experiences. He then used these things in books. Sexual things we told him, yes, but also personal things about our lives.

I want to be clear. Santino Hassell profited off people's pain, vulnerability, and experiences. He targeted people. The people I know he did this to, we were all very similar -- not just in looks because he did this both men and women, but at the point of our lives. He knew this, and he used it for his own gain.

As Noah said, and many others, Santino Hassell is a master manipulator, a liar, and he will not fucking silence me any further.

I haven't even read it yet but I wanted to share a new update

http://santinohassell.com/2018/03/ful...

I admire you all!

Jenn wrote: "A social worker who early on commented on all this in Twitter PM'd me a day ago telling me that even if the result is just, I will struggle with mood swings and to take care of myself. She's right...."

I am so sorry Jenn! God I'm so sorry...

you are amazing and brave.

Shelby wrote: "Sorry, could someone list the authors believed to be in on this? It be nice if there was a blacklist/whitelist of authors. I do hope that those who have been linked to SH do make a public statement..."

Off the top of my head

Authors who have supported SH's claims of innocence/are (were?) members of the squad:

Megan Erickson
Avon Gale
Piper Vaugh
Roan Parrish
HelenKay Dimon
AmyJo Cousins
Suleihka Snyder


Authors who have supported the victims and have commented about it:

TJ Klune
Suki Fleet
Avery Cockburn
Clancy Nacht
Lisa Henry
KJ Charles
Aleksandr Voinov
Taylor V. Donovan

I know I'm missing a bunch, tho. Oh, and K.A. Merikan haven't said anything, but they've RT tweets supporting the people who were hurt by SH.

Jenn wrote: "A social worker who early on commented on all this in Twitter PM'd me a day ago telling me that even if the result is just, I will struggle with mood swings and to take care of myself. She's right...."

Thank you for sharing Jenn, I admire the hell out of you for it, and I'm so very sorry this happened to you (and everyone else who was harmed by SH). Profiting from others pain is the lowest of the low and I truly hope this will be the end of his using and manipulating people.

hugs

I've posted some of my thoughts and feelings regarding this situation on Twitter and FB, but wanted to come here as well and let you know how much I admire you. The victims who spoke up, the victims who didn't back off or down, the victims who suffered in silence, the victims who endured isolation, the victims who endured criticism and abuse, the people who listened, echoed the plights, and offered their support...all of you, have my utmost respect.

I'm a very private person. I don't share much of anything online, but I've lived through some messed up situations and, let me tell you, I am *extremely* familiar with manipulation, conditioning, and their effect on a person's psyche and emotions. So I get it. I know what you're going through, and you are heroes in my book.

xoxo

Jenn wrote: "A social worker who early on commented on all this in Twitter PM'd me a day ago telling me that even if the result is just, I will struggle with mood swings and to take care of myself. She's right...."

Jenn, I've told you already but I'll tell you again, you are NOT alone. I am so sorry you had to go through this and I really hope you can move on and leave this shit behind. You do not deserve any of this and I wish you the best hunni. You rock!