Sun > Status Update

~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Well, Vanessa North is coming after me now for holding her responsible in SH's bullying and abuse."

That's keeping in character. When I ditched after the incident with J, I gotta say, birds of a feather. Ironically, why I gave SH a wide berth because J was singing 'his' praises--gave the whole 'favored lot' a very wide berth.

Sorry we all met up at this sh*tty rodeo.

Oh, Vivian. I remember that :( Augh.

Thank you Susan for using your platform on GR and bringing the SH discussion out in the open. I am not super plugged into MM these days, but that is how I met many of my friends here on GR. I was only made aware of Nikki and the whispernet about a month ago. While I commend her persistence, it was not easy for someone outside of the SH orbit to really get the big picture. But it was an important catalyst, as was this post. The events of the past few days have been remarkable, and the personal testimonies have been moving.

I have been horrified hearing the details of what many of you have been through. Jenn ❤️ <3 to you for courageously telling your story. Alissa, I was so happy to see you emerge, all I knew is that you disappeared and I had no idea why. Susan, Alona, and many others, my heart goes out to you, thank you for telling your stories.

Monetizing sympathy garnered from fabricated illness, abuse and other circumstances is unethical and a complete dick move and one we can all get mad about. But more importantly, it set the stage to expose the root problem, the systematic manipulation, abuse and exploitation by SH. What should be clear is that it is easy to get sucked into the charms of an experienced abuser, and no one should feel any shame in that. It could have been me. All the shame goes to SH.

It has been heartwarming to see people recognizing and acknowledging how they played a role in defending SH, and more importantly apologizing. You were caught up in the manipulation and that could have been me as well. No doubt the response from some authors and readers is disappointing. It may take them more time to process, or they may never come around. The only thing you can control is choosing which authors you decide to read and review.

I am not sure if this thread counts as a truth and reconciliation commission, but in small way, it is serving that role. It should go down as one of the all time epic GR threads.

Susan wrote: "I love that this thread is still going on, keeping the conversation alive.

I am frustrated by these statements by people close to Santino Hassell.

They are "tired". You know who's tired? Those ..."

The more I read the more heartsick I become , and I'm sure that there are more people still to tell their stories. For those of us for whom this has been going on for years the vindication that we weren't mad/ stupid/ obsessed/ needing help - accusations levied publicly by SH and their friends is ..validating. And a lot of apologies and forgiveness have been shared, I'm ashamed that I believed and acted on what I was told by SH and have said so. The half arsed apologies from his supporters, someone used the word 'humbled' really aren't good enough.
Some people acted so badly to others, were told this is a lie, and still carried on.

It seems SH deleted his "apology" ?

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

for whatever reason you have to have the full url. i have no idea how the first person discovered it.

Vivian wrote: "~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Well, Vanessa North is coming after me now for holding her responsible in SH's bullying and abuse."

That's keeping in character. When I ditched afte..."

I will never forget this “incident” it was an awful witch hunt!
Do we know where J is in this whole SH thing?

KatieMc wrote: "Thank you Susan for using your platform on GR and bringing the SH discussion out in the open. I am not super plugged into MM these days, but that is how I met many of my friends here on GR. I was o..."

Thank you!!
xxx

Aissa wrote: "I originally made a small post earlier but under an anonymous name. I deleted it. But Jenn said I need to tell my story. I would feel better. I love you, Jenn, but I feel like throwing up.

I'm no..."

Thank you for this, you and Jenn (and Susan and so so many others) were subjected to such a hateful and awful thing. SH warned me against you and I believed him. I am so very sorry that I had anything to do with hurting you.

I don't think this has been posted yet, so here's Roan Parrish's statement : https://www.facebook.com/roanparrishb...

This situation has been absolutely appalling, but here is a statement from Riptide http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem...

These “apologies” and “I’m taking time to process” bullshit statements from co-authors, etc combined with news about their upcoming book make my blood boil!!! I’m not a victim but I’d bet big money that the victims don’t give a shit about their upcoming fucking book!!!

Shelby wrote: "I don't think this has been posted yet, so here's Roan Parrish's statement : https://www.facebook.com/roanparrishb..."

I feel I have to say something about Roan. I´ve been around in Twitter for years, around Santino and his circle of authors friends, I was not their friends, only a reader, but around them, in their groups etc. I´ve seen Amy Jo, Megan, Karen, speaking about readers, authors, etc and being really mean, even with me. But, I have to say that I never saw Roan doing that kind of things, I´ll give her a chance, I think she´s sorry.
After reading all the apologies I feel that some of them, or all of them, didn´t know. The difference is if you make the apology about you or about the others. I´m sure they are hurting, but now is time to say I´m sorry to the people they hurt.

No genuine apologies, none whatsover from any of them. It's all about their pain, ME, ME, ME!! Well, sod you, sod the LOT of you. And I wonder again...they ALL had their photos taken with one another...we've all seen them, BUT who told them they were posing with SH?? Did that person not tell them lies?? Are they seriously trying to say that they just let some random dude pose with them for a photo op??

Ladies and Gents who've bared your souls on this thread...once again, I salute you for your courage!! 💚🖤💜💛💙

Is there a link to where Vanessa North has gone after Dani?

AGandyGirl wrote: "These “apologies” and “I’m taking time to process” bullshit statements from co-authors, etc combined with news about their upcoming book make my blood boil!!! I’m not a victim but I’d bet big money..." THIS, it's a bit revolting

JenMcJ wrote: "Is there a link to where Vanessa North has gone after Dani?"

It was a public post on her personal page last night. I can’t see it now. So not sure if it was deleted or not.

I saw it in my updates last night, but shortly after it was gone.

AGandyGirl wrote: "JenMcJ wrote: "Is there a link to where Vanessa North has gone after Dani?"

It was a public post on her personal page last night. I can’t see it now. So not sure if it was deleted or not."

It's like they NEVER learn... *sigh*
I hope someone out there managed a screengrab, things like this should not be swept under the carpet again.

SH has shown how far he's willing to go... and obviously "he" is very charismatic when he wants to be, and taking in a new unsuspecting author under his wing seems just like his MO.

I choose to believe that even those who were seemingly close to "him" were probably just as tricked as the rest of you. When they're willing to really talk about it, I will be willing to listen. I gather those generic statements mean shell-shock more than anything else.

Then again, I was never bullied by any of them, nor did I have any involvement in any of this, so it's easier for me to take that stance.
For what it's worth, this tweet really made me think about the other side of things:
https://twitter.com/shaneyruadh/statu...

KatieMc wrote: " What should be clear is that it is easy to get sucked into the charms of an experienced abuser, and no one should feel any shame in that. It could have been me."

I haven't been active on GR in the last few years for various reasons and I lost contact with a lot of people in this thread. We bonded over iCoS and it was great and it was fresh and it was what readers here looked for, something engaging.

I'm so sorry this happened to all of you, my old time GR friends, especially because the only books I came back to rate were SH's ones. I'm sorry I so easily dismissed the first reports of catfishing. I didn't really speak about it with anyone, being out of the loop, but I believed it was an elaborate conspiracy (and since I usually am the one to laugh at people who shout conspiracy I feel twice stupid.) I think I even liked the "he's a real boy" post. If I didn't give it a like, I surely nodded in front of my computer screen, and for that I'm extremely sorry and I want to apologize.

Thank you everyone for speaking out and exposing this truth and especially for giving such an incredible example of friendships that can be rekindled and people that can help each other when they listen and are listened to.

Elsa wrote: "I feel I have to say something about Roan. I´ve been around in Twitter for years, around Santino and his circle of authors friends, I was not their friends, only a reader, but around them, in their groups etc. I´ve seen Amy Jo, Megan, Karen, speaking about readers, authors, etc and being really mean, even with me. But, I have to say that I never saw Roan doing that kind of things, I´ll give her a chance, I think she´s sorry.
After reading all the apologies I feel that some of them, or all of them, didn´t know. The difference is if you make the apology about you or about the others. I´m sure they are hurting, but now is time to say I´m sorry to the people they hurt."

Thank you, Elsa.
I’ve been on the fence about her the last few days, since I don’t have first-hand knowledge of what she did or said in SH’s support, so I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

Tamara (緑) wrote: "I choose to believe that even those who were seemingly close to "him" were probably just as tricked as the rest of you. When they're willing to really talk about it, I will be willing to listen. I gather those generic statements mean shell-shock more than anything else.
Then again, I was never bullied by any of them, nor did I have any involvement in any of this, so it's easier for me to take that stance."

I agree, that’s why I’m trying to determine which authors are guilty of bullying and harassing readers vs who spoke up to support what they believed to be a friend.

I’m willing to give the authors close to SH the benefit of the doubt when it comes to be victims of the catfish themselves and, if they’re slowly realizing the truth only now, I can understand the apology statements leaving much to be desired.
They’re probably still in denial and trying to process everything while at the same time worrying about their careers. But that doesn’t excuse the bullying, even if they thought they were protecting a friend.

You can offer support and help without turning in the same thing you’re trying to fight against. And if they couldn’t do that, the least they can do now is take a good look at themselves and apologize for their actions, like so many wonderful, brave people have been doing to each other in this thread for days.

Something I posted elsewhere recently with a few changes:

This is a small community but to many of us it's a whole world.

I think that the people that are drawn to m/m are people that have a lot of empathy and are willing to embrace anybody but especially those that present as marginalized. That's actually a wonderful quality about the majority of our readership. Even now with all the crap that is coming out, people are connecting and more importantly, reconnecting. Friends and strangers still reaching out and embracing the victims at the potential liability to themselves.

I no longer live my life in a world overwhelmed with drama, I've grown enough to know that it's just not worth the stress and SH (and rabid posse) drama was a small part of my decision to step out of my moderator role.... What I actively remember to do is focus on how many great, lifelong friends I've made in this little world and I want others to find that as well. To be vulnerable and open to that means just that. You're vulnerable and open. Sometimes, rarely, thank goodness, the people that find us are not good enough for that offering. But the people picking up these battered souls are good people and good things will come out of this horrid, horrid situation.

To have a community means you have to connect. No community is free from this crap. This by far is not the first, nor last, catfishing expose in this community and it's always, always brutal for those left picking up the pieces. But most communities don't come together in the aftermath as well as we do and that's all down to how many good, good people there are surrounding us.

AGandyGirl wrote: "JenMcJ wrote: "Is there a link to where Vanessa North has gone after Dani?"

It was a public post on her personal page last night. I can’t see it now. So not sure if it was deleted or not."

Yup, I saw it last night (German time) but I can't see it anymore. Should have made a screenshot of it but Dani might have one and if she want's to share it, I'm sure she will.

Dani, I'm so sorry!! I don't know what triggerd you becoming a target now (I think it was something you posted?). Keep strong and fight and know you are not alone ~hugs~

edit: Whatever the trigger was, false accusations like this with the intent to deflect or harm others are the reason why people who are real victims aren't believed.

Briary wrote: "This situation has been absolutely appalling, but here is a statement from Riptide http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem..."

That's the same statement they posted 2 days ago.

I don't know if these have been posted before:

Kade Boehme
https://www.facebook.com/kade.adam/po...

Lane Hayes
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

Wow. I wasn’t aware of all these at all. I stopped reading SH books mainly because they weren’t a “must read” to me, and there’s certain “pretending to be street smart” vibe I got from his/her writing that I don’t care for.

I once again have to express my sorrow for all that you've been through. I break out into tears at odd times during a day, especially after reading Noah's, Jenn's, and other's testimonies. Not that all the other things I've read about aren't deeply disturbing but those stories especially broke my heart.

I can't say how deeply sorry I feel for all of you and how relieved I am that your voices are finally heard and believed. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like for you to live with the experiences you've had.

I don't review books I've read often but I know that I've often said and thought how "real" SH's book felt to me. Knowing what I know now it makes me sick to my stomach - literally. I wish I had those books in paperback so that I could watch them go up in flames.

Josy wrote: "I once again have to express my sorrow for all that you've been through. I break out into tears at odd times during a day, especially after reading Noah's, Jenn's, and other's testimonies. Not that..."

This:

I've read often but I know that I've often said and thought how "real" SH's book felt to me. Knowing what I know now it makes me sick to my stomach - literally.

I was about to say that. I wrote in my reviews how, SH characters felt so real. And now i feel sick too because, the characters are indeed real. These were Noah, Jenn and many others real life stories that were turned into books. Sorry to all the victims. I hope sharing your stories will help you in the process of healing.

Just wanted to add my small voice of support, for whatever it's worth:

I believe you all. I am sorry for everyone who has been hurt by SH and his circle for so many years. You are all so incredibly brave. Thank you for speaking out and for persevering for so long.

I've been a long-time fan of SH and his co-writer Ais (Anyone know what is her involvement?) since they were posting ICoS on their website. I was obsessed with that series. It was one of the reasons I joined GR and got introduced to this genre. It was also wonderful being a part of a community of fellow ICoS fans. I recognize many people here who I used to follow when I was more active here, who were fellow fans, and who gradually disappeared over the years. Out of all this ugliness, it's heart-warming to see people returning here to support each other.

I am angry. I unknowingly supported someone so despicable for so many years. Those stories and my memories of them are tainted. It's...just mind-boggling how so many people's lives were affected and ruined by this. I'm still reeling from the shock. My heart just goes out to all the people sharing their stories of the harassment and manipulation they've suffered over the years. Thank you Susan for creating this thread. This needs to keep being heard.

https://twitter.com/authorharpmill/st...
( http://www.authorharpermiller.com/blo... )

VN's retweet and comment are quite ironic IMO.

Marbles wrote: "Nice -insert sarcasm-post from Cat Grant on FB. It's starts...

*
I just realized something.
I'm angry.
No, scratch that - I'm motherfucking LIVID.
It makes my blood boil to see asswipes like this ..."

Screenshot?

Josy wrote: "https://twitter.com/authorharpmill/st...
( http://www.authorharpermiller.com/blo... )

VN's retweet and comment are quite ironic IMO."
I'm buying all of Harper Miller's books. <3

I would like to give all the other authors who are considered involved the benefit of doubt. Clearly the minds behind SH are very persuasive.

Having witnessed my sister being involved in a very emotionally abusive relationship, it's a lot easier to see the truth for what it is when you are more removed from the situation. Looking back on it, there were so many things that my sister realized should have sent up a red flag, lies so transparent that she should have seen through them. But she didn't. So, maybe it seems like there is no way they couldn't have known, but I don't think that is for us to decide. People like my sister's ex and SH are toxic and they poison those around them and by the time you realize you've been bite, the damage has already been done.

What I do find indefensible are not the ones who went to bat for a person they believed to be a friend, but the ones who vilified others and threw around abusive language while doing so. That is completely reprehensible.

I wasn't aware of any of this until I saw Riptide's tweet two days ago, and while I have tried to read as much information as possible, I haven't seen too much about the other authors whose names have been added to the mix. I believe the ones mentioned are:

Megan Erickson, Karen Stivali, Piper Vaughn, Avon Gale, Amy Jo Cousins, Suleihka Snyder, Roan Parrish, Vanessa North, LA Witt (not sure if that is all of them or not).

I'm not going to condemn an author based on the fact that they co-wrote with SH, or went to cons or on vacations with SH. They genuinely may not have known. Look how many others had the wool pulled over their eyes.

But, you can defend someone without attacking another.

That being said, I think with the exception of the screenshot of LA Witt's post (which doesn't have her calling anyone subhuman, as someone mentioned she had, so I don't know if that happened elsewhere), I personally don't recall having seen any evidence of abusive behaviour from these authors. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, so please don't jump on me for that. I just don't want to lump all of them together just because they ran in the same circle. Elsa mentioned that she hadn't seen any abusive language being used by Roan Parrish. I don't know what has or hadn't been said by the others.

But, for those them who have (and please, if you can direct me to where I can see it for myself), apologizing for defending a friend isn't enough. They need to own up to the things they themselves said and apologize for that. "I'm sorry, but..." isn't a real apology.

Susan wrote: "I love that this thread is still going on, keeping the conversation alive.

I am frustrated by these statements by people close to Santino Hassell. ..."

I typed this comment last night when all the apologies that were forced by an anthology announcement were coming out. In the light of day, and having stepped away from my frustration, I want to give all of the authors in SH's friend circle some time and space to figure out and work through their own pain. It's not fair for me to force them to say something that will make me feel better.

Someone posted this twitter thread here (https://twitter.com/shaneyruadh/statu...) and it REALLY hit me this morning. When I was friends with SH, I did and said some really shitty things. I stood up for him in public to people and probably did my own bullying on his behalf as well. I wonder if I have the right to be angry at people who, when I look in the mirror, seem an awful lot like who I used to be.

This is just me. I'm not encouraging or asking anyone else to do the same. I just...with everything I went through with SH, I promised myself I would try and DO BETTER, BE BETTER.

I don't know who knew what. But I do know that it's not fair for SH to disappear and all the people who defended him left with the bloodbath. But then again, we've seen this all before.

Santino Hassell, you are a really SUCKY HUMAN BEING(S).

Susan, that link doesn't work. Do you have another or a screenshot?

Wow

Following up in Susan's post above, I admit I'm torn about so many other authors that were seemingly involved.

I don't want to support another bad person. Neither with reviews nor with financial means. One was enough, thank you very much.

However, I have outstanding ARCs from some on "the list" of seemingly guilty authors. Maybe the smart thing to do would be to return them with a note explaining why I can't review them. But is that really the "smart" thing?

In light of all that's been revealed and the many deaf ears it has fallen on for a very long time, shouldn't I be a little slower to cast blame and more willing to uncover the truth before making decisions?

As painful as this has been for all the victims survivors, I would hope we can all learn and grow from it.

This morning I was going to write about the so called "apologies" pouring out of the "squad".
Rarely have I seen so many versions of excuses dressed up as apologies from the "man" himself to chief bullies and the squad sycophants.
None of these apologies address what these people should be apologising for, instead we all got to hear how hurt they all are, how their feelings are upset. We heard how an agent is allowed to trash talk readers but how alas they are not allowed to make any further statements, we have heard how in the several years they had known SH he was always so nice to the squad, that for the past 15 months they had been defending a friend and, in some cases, we heard how the apologist doesn't even know SH but hey in for a penny in for a pound eh?
So question: have you all gone back and re read your so called "apologies"? You have known for 15 months that questions were being asked about gross inconsistencies about many of SH claims: *you* chose how you behaved re those. Nobody twisted your arms to go and call these people animals, cunts, shitweasels, subhumans, lunatics etc.
Nobody but you decided to block and ostracise and violently silence dissent.
in 15 months you never questioned your friend, you never asked hey did you really say that?, you never wondered why his roommate was joining on holidays? You saw the pictures and the documents and never went "uhm...maybe..." As I re read all of your apologies and all of your interactions up to March 8th I find it more and more unlikely.
And one more thing: you issue these apologies in your own space, a space from which you have banned the people you are supposedly apologising to. How does that even count?

Anyways I wanted to bring to attention this fantastic thread I just saw on twitter:

https://twitter.com/TezMillerOz/statu...

~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Well, Vanessa North is coming after me now for holding her responsible in SH's bullying and abuse."

Dani - what can I do to help?

I came across this post this morning and thought I'd just copy and paste here...
Thank you Justin Gammil, wherever you are, this breakdown was very enlightening for me!


“Gaslighting”: One of the Most Dangerous Forms of Mental Manipulation We All Deal With
BY JUSTIN GAMMILL

The universe can be a funny place sometimes.

I’ve been doing a lot of research about a form of mental abuse that a lot of us are not only susceptible to, but actually deal with every single day.

It is one of those things that we don’t even realize is happening to us, we just see the results: self-doubt, diminished self-esteem, and reduced self-worth.

The World Has A Way Of Beating Even The Best Of Us Down From Time To Time But This Specific Form Of Manipulation Is One That Can Be Identified And Removed From Our Day-To-Day Existence.
"Gaslighting": One of the Most Dangerous Forms of Mental Manipulation We All Deal With

Planted Seeds Of Doubt
Back in 1938, there was a play called “Gas Light” that was later adapted into a movie in 1944. In the story, a husband works diligently to convince his wife and their acquaintances that she is insane by making very small and subtle changes to their environment. When the wife would point out the changes, the husband convinced her that she was wrong about the changes and that she was crazy. Slowly but surely, the wife starts to give in to the self-doubt created by those subtle changes, namely a gas lamp that the husband keeps dimming, hence the term “gaslighting“.

Our Perception Is Our Reality
In the play, the key was the husband’s ability to alter the wife’s perception of reality. She saw the lamp as being dimmer and the husband assures her that it is not. He made he doubt her perception, and therefore her reality. It is a form of mental abuse that people too often don’t even realize what is happening to them. For the perpetrator, the ability to control the victim’s own perceptions of themselves and the things around them allows them to control the victim themselves. In reality, it happens every single day. It’s all around us.

How many advertisements do you see that claim that using their product will somehow enhance your life? That’s a mild form of gaslighting. You are made to think that some aspect of you or your life is incomplete. You are made to DOUBT yourself. Further, you are made to think that whatever product is being peddled is the solution to what is supposedly lacking in your life.

Gaslighting In Our Lives
The specific situation that inspired this article involved one of the most beautiful and amazing women I have ever known dealing with a break up from a man that never deserved to be with her in the first place. I explained to her that there are people in our lives who will try to break us down to be on their level.

So, What Is The Answer To Gaslighting?
Maintaining Your Own Reality Through Your Own Perceptions.
I’ll tell you now, the same thing I told her:
You see, my friend, there are people in this world who will look at a unicorn and think to themselves, “woah, that is a unicorn, which is something I will never be.” They will try to convince you, the unicorn, that you are just an average horse like them with a weird growth on your head that you should probably get checked out by some kind of medical professional that deals with head growths. They will try to steal your magic and make you as dull and ordinary as the plain, old horses that they are. Because they need you to be a plain, old horse like they are, just to bring you down to their level…

As we’ve established: you are not just a plain, old horse. You are not a fast race horse. You aren’t even one of those fancy British horses that those chicks in those hot pant/knee-high boot getups use to jump over stuff…

You Are A Unicorn. Despite What Anyone Else Says. You Are One In 7.4 Billion, And That Is A Beautiful Thing.

AGandyGirl wrote: "JenMcJ wrote: "Is there a link to where Vanessa North has gone after Dani?"

It was a public post on her personal page last night. I can’t see it now. So not sure if it was deleted or not."

Dani, I have a screenshot of Vanessa's FB post if you need it.

Francesca wrote: "This morning I was going to write about the so called "apologies" pouring out of the "squad".
Rarely have I seen so many versions of excuses dressed up as apologies from the "man" himself to chief..."
"And one more thing: you issue these apologies in your own space, a space from which you have banned the people you are supposedly apologising to. How does that even count?"
Thats a very good point, is easy to apologize to the people who already believe you did nothing wrong. But what about the people you hurt?

Francesca wrote: "So question: have you all gone back and re read your so called "apologies"? You have known for 15 months that questions were being asked about gross inconsistencies about many of SH claims: *you* chose how you behaved re those. Nobody twisted your arms to go and call these people animals, cunts, shitweasels, subhumans, lunatics etc.
Nobody but you decided to block and ostracise and violently silence dissent. "

I need to preface this by saying I have no personal involvement in this in any way. I don't read the genre, I don't know anyone involved on any side. But, I have been listening, paying attention, looking at the evidence, etc. And I am hearing the victims.

I realize the community is more interconnected and more involved and engaged that simply author/reader, producer/consumer. I get that.

But, just taking a step back from the personal here, and looking at this simply as author/reader - at it's most basic, at it's most core, I want to say this:

Whatever other authors feel they were doing in supporting a friend and/or fellow author, I do not feel it is ever ok for an author to forget when engaging with readers that they are speaking as a business and for their business. They should IMO maintain a professional attitude about that relationship, and keep in mind who it is they are speaking to and speaking about.

Meaning, IMO, as someone outside the community and completely uninvolved and uneffected personally - I don't believe it is ever ok for authors to attack readers in a public venue. Most definately not to do so to that person directly. Ever. And doing so can and does put their own business at risk, and it's hard to comprehend any author who does so not realizing and understanding that they are putting their own business at risk. I'll acknowledge some are boneheaded and arrogant enough to not grasp that simple fact. But, the fact remains.

Doesn't mean I can't have understanding for anyone who was manipulated and deceived, I certainly can. But, this is me agreeing that standing up and supporting someone they believe is a friend is one thing, going on the attack, harassing, insulting, etc. people is quite another.

Every author who targeted, harassed, insulted, attacked personally specific readers either knew, or should have known, they were doing so at the risk of their own career as an author.

Alona wrote: "I think no one should be pressured to do anything regarding those co-writers and SH’s author friends.
Everyone should do what feels to be the right thing for him/her.

I can speak for myself and sa..."

Roan's the only one who I would really miss, too. I've never read anything from Megan Erickson, Karen Stivali & Suleihka Snyder (never even head of the latter two). I've read one from Vanessa, which I don't recall. And I've read a few from Piper Vaughn, Avon Gale, Amy Jo Cousins and LA WItt, but they are all the type of writers whose books I read when I just want a mindless book I can read in a day.

I've been following this thread since the beginning but haven't commented since I don't have much to contribute but what isn't being said already.

I have luckily never been close to SH, even though I was part of Hassell & Hall on FB for a long time and even on the Patreon for some months. I liked to read the books for a while and that was it.
I stick to myself and don't get involved in a lot of discussions because of time and energy limitations, but I have been around for quite some years now, so I am invested in the whole situation.

I am very sorry that SH hurt so many people. It makes me sick.
It makes me happy to see so many of you reconnecting and getting some kind of 'justice'.
I remember how even one or two weeks ago everyone was afraid of even asking a question about this. I know I was.

So thank you all for speaking up and I wish everyone here all the best.

Alexandra wrote: "Francesca wrote: "So question: have you all gone back and re read your so called "apologies"? You have known for 15 months that questions were being asked about gross inconsistencies about many of ..."

Alexandra, I 100% agree. They are running a business, and name-calling, attacking, and threatening READERS is just crazy.

Shelby wrote: "Alona wrote: "I think no one should be pressured to do anything regarding those co-writers and SH’s author friends.
Everyone should do what feels to be the right thing for him/her.

I can speak for..."

Right.
When someone says something like: I read the book I don’t care about the author. I say: I also read the book for the story, I never cared about the author personal life, but there are enough good books out there without me supporting someone vile!
Even if they didn’t know about the lies and fraud, the way they treat the real victims of SH is appalling.

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Alexandra, I 100% agree. They are running a business, and name-calling, attacking, and threatening READERS is just crazy. ."

Yes. Customers should always be treated with respect, and if you can't do that STFU. If you feel those customers are behaving unfairly, or wrongly, or inappropriately? Treat them with respect, behave professionally, or STFU.

Otherwise you risk doing harm to your own business. And if their sales suffer due to that, they only have themselves to blame.