Sun > Status Update

I'm may need a support group before all of this is said and done. I'll need help mourning the loss of so many favorite authors. 😎

Cadiva wrote: "I've just had refunds for ALL my purchased Santino Hassell and Megan Erickson books (on Amazon UK) .."

I emailed Amazon DE yesterday to request a refund of the self-published books. I explained that I don't want a refund for the other books published by Dreamspinner and Riptide so to not "hurt" the publishers more. I haven't heard back from them yet, though. I gave them some of the important links including Riptide's statement.

arfic (iro) wrote: "I won't ask for refund from riptide. They reacted promtly and it would seem like punishment, Santino will not be injured and he is the one that should. There are many authors whose work I love like Lisa Henry, KJ Charles, JA rock at RT and I would hate for them to be punished in a roundabout way."

I agree, I would hate for SH to bring Riptide and other authors down as well.

I have a little favour to ask: could everyone please stop referring to SH as "he" or "him"? Please use "she" or "they". This might coming over as being nitpicky to most of you, but as a gay man I really don't want SH to be manifested as a (bisexual) male in everyone's mind. And I'm sure most of the other male M/M readers and authors would appreciate this too. Thank you.

PS: Of course I totally understand the impulse to keep calling them "him". First thing that comes to MY mind when I think of SH is that profile picture with its stupid black cap, but I'm working on it to make it gone from my mind.

I don't know if it's been said before and I apologize if it has, but I thought I would mention that the blogger girls reviews website has also taken all the reviews for SH's books down.

https://thebloggergirls.com

I researched his name in the search box (because I wanted to know if they had deleted things) and the only thing left is about the Follow me into darkness anthology.

Aryana wrote: "Cadiva, how did you manage the refund? I contacted Amazon UK yesterday and they blatantly refused any refund of books over 14 days of purchase..."

I got in touch through the Refunds Link and sent them links to every single thread/comment/publishers statement etc and told them I wanted refunds on every book I'd purchased by Santino Hassell and Megan Erickson.

They started doing the refunds pretty much straight away only they're numpties and they've refunded the WHOLE order rather than just SH/ME books.

I sent them:

In light of the scandal which has broken over the author Santino Hassell, I would like a full refund please on all my purchased books and those of him with co author Megan Erickson.

I believe Dreamspinner are in the process of removing all his works published through them from third party sites including Amazon, as are Riptide.

For more information on this situation - which involves fraud, intellectual copyright theft gaslighting, catfishing and other repellant behaviour, please see:

http://riptidepublishing.tumblr.com/p...

http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem...

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

https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...

And

https://twitter.com/sweetsakuradoll

Also @Jordan - Riptide have said they can take the hit.

However, I have also subsequently spent the same amount I'm getting refunded directly back with them so they're not losing out and will do the same with the Amazon refunds.

@Dani - apparently, or so I've heard, they'll be releasing them "exclusively" through Patreon so another way of conning people into paying more.

Wonder if there's any mileage in people contacting Patreon direct?

We’ll be pulling all of the “Santino” guest posts, reviews etc from Sinfully as well tomorrow.

Marco wrote: "I have a little favour to ask: could everyone please stop referring to SH as "he" or "him"? Please use "she" or "they"..."
I went back and edited my post. I still slip up.

Cadiva wrote: "Aryana wrote: "Cadiva, how did you manage the refund? I contacted Amazon UK yesterday and they blatantly refused any refund of books over 14 days of purchase..."

I got in touch through the Refunds..."

I've just been turned down yet again by Amazon UK, so can only assume my email isn't polite enough 😉. I'll obviously have to go into chapter and verse...with documentary proof. As far as Riptide are concerned, my email to them was a little tongue in cheek, and it seems SH is definitely persona non grata there now; there is no record in my account of my ever having bought SH books from them, so that's something they'll need to look into....although I still think the Sarah Lyons situation needs investigating.

Update...refund given on all books cos I'm such a good customer 😊

Cadiva wrote: "@Dani - apparently, or so I've heard, they'll be releasing them "exclusively" through Patreon so another way of conning people into paying more.
"

aha, thanks so much for that info.


In light of people pulling guest posts. I'm really tempted to just edit the one that Sonny wrote for my blog about bisexual identity with just "I'm a horrible human being(species is debatable) and I should feel bad, but I don't because I'm scum(species not debatable)" But i'm not sure about editing a post like that.

Dani wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "@Dani - apparently, or so I've heard, they'll be releasing them "exclusively" through Patreon so another way of conning people into paying more.
"

aha, thanks so much for that info...."

Well, their Patreon is now down to 320 from whatever it was, but I can't believe that 320 people have been living with their heads up their wazoos and haven't heard what's been going on.

As far as your guest post is concerned...yeah, the editing would be difficult, but I love what you've come up with so far...

Francesca wrote: "*edited to further clarify who Eddie is*
Let's switch the narrative a bit, shall we? First let's start with the use of the word "doxer" when referring to Nikki and the #nastybirdsL: just don't will..."

BRAVO, Francesa.

100% agree!

Noah wrote: "Thank you, Susan, for creating this thread. You have no idea how much it's meant to me to see so many stories and people that make me feel less alone in what happened to me.

Also, thank you to eve..."

Catching up on the thread after a day away and just wanted to say thank *you*, Noah, for your courage in speaking up. I hope that knowing we're all behind you helps you in some small way on your path to healing.

ETA: If anyone knows of any other blogs that have pulled their SH posts, please signal boost. :)

Other romance blogs that have pulled SH-related posts (reviews, giveaways, etc)

- Dear Author (NB: the only post is one from June 2017 when Fast Connection went on sale.)

- Gay Book Reviews (If you click on the posts for SH's books, you'll see a thread by Nikki explaining the catfishing)

- Reviews for Bloggers (all SH posts are gone)

- Lost in a Book (all SH posts are gone)

- Mirrigold: Mutterings and Musings (all SH and ME posts are gone)

- Joyfully Jay (the only posts are those where SH's books are mentioned. All the reviews and promo for SH novels are gone)

- My Fiction Nook (All SH reviews are gone. The only post that pops up is Fast Connection in a 2016 list for Best of the year. I let the admin know about this. It's been edited out.)

2nd ETA to add more blogs that have pulled SH posts:

- Diverse Reader (all SH posts are gone)

- The Blogger Girls (The *only* SH-related post up is a post about the Follow Me Into Darkness anthology.)

- Boy Meets Boy (All SH posts are gone)

- Alpha Book Club (All SH posts are gone)

- Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words (All SH posts are gone)

- Love Bytes Reviews (All SH posts are gone)


Blogs that haven't pulled the SH posts BUT have gone on record that they will

- Dirty Books Obsession



I emailed Smart Bitches, Trashy Books via their site on Friday night about their SH posts (which includes a podcast from last summer). Haven't gotten a reply and I haven't seen anything on their twitter or the site itself. :(

ADDENDUM (03/12/18): Heard back from Sarah Wendell at SBTB. She said that she is looking into it and that it.

SECOND ADDENDUM (03/14/18): All of the posts remain up AND there's a note on the SH podcast that it will stay "for archival purposes". :|


3rd EDIT (03/18/18)

Just Love Reviews has decided to leave their SH content up with the following note:

Please note this book was reviewed prior to the revelation of author’s identity and actions. Please read this statement from Riptide Publishing for more information. [Note: Berkely has terminated its relationship with Santino Hassell.]

I'm disappointed but not surprised.

Lisa wrote: "K.D. wrote: "Sorry, but what blog are we talking about?"

http://www.sadiesinsbooks.com/current...

I replied again, and took a screen shot this time. This is my re..."

So I think I can guess whose picture is beside the phrase 'my minds made up don't confuse me with the facts'. I couldn't even get through her load of cr*p...seems I've lost my shovel so I just scrolled down to the bottom and read the comments people left truly the best part of the whole blog. Thanks to you and Megan for trying though ;)

I haven’t blogged in 2yrs and just started back in February. I have hosted SH on Pants Off Reviews before and have deleted everything where his name was involved from previous years.

My heart goes out to all the victims of this scam. Our blog reviews primarily m/f romance but we do have a an m/m section. We have removed all reviews of their books.

Ariadna wrote: "ETA: If anyone knows of any other blogs that have pulled their SH posts, please signal boost. :)

Other romance blogs that have pulled SH-related posts (reviews, giveaways, etc)

- Dear Author (NB:..."

I'm only tiny but I've done mine (and off Amazon) and I've pinned this post to my blog and my FB Page:

https://mirrigold.com/2018/03/11/im-o...

https://www.facebook.com/Mutteringsan...

Sandyco wrote: "P.S. You can call me morally bankrupt, because I'm still a patron. I want the last two 5B books. I really am just there for the books, and it's unfortunate that this is the only way to get them, bu..."

I can’t with people like you.

You have nothing to contribute to this thread, so GTFO.

People IN THIS THREAD, that are probably reading you, have come out to share how *their* experiences were appropriated for the writing of those books, without their consent. What you are paying an abuser for you to be able to read are probably more stories that aren’t Hassell’s to tell.

So if that’s your prerogative so be it. Nobody can do anything about it. But don’t come into the thread where victims of SH have come to share how they were emotionally exploited to say that poor you doesn’t have another way to get the books and lol.

Go away and don’t come back.

Riptide have confirmed to me that they will use any remaining royalties they have for SH to offset any pre-order refunds they have to pay out.

Bev wrote: "Dani wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "@Dani - apparently, or so I've heard, they'll be releasing them "exclusively" through Patreon so another way of conning people into paying more.
"

aha, thanks so much f..."

Well no matter what they'll have at least one Patron left because she's already told us all here that even though she's sorry about what happened she wants the remaining 5 boroughs books and plans on continuing to support 'the scumbag' (her words) to get them.

Ariadna wrote: "ETA: If anyone knows of any other blogs that have pulled their SH posts, please signal boost. :)

Other romance blogs that have pulled SH-related posts (reviews, giveaways, etc)

- Dear Author (NB:..."

I posted it above, but in case, I want to signal it again. The Blogger girls ( https://thebloggergirls.com ) have pulled everything about SH too except for one article about the Follow Me Into Darkness anthology

DarienMoya wrote: "I haven’t blogged in 2yrs and just started back in February. I have hosted SH on Pants Off Reviews before and have deleted anything where his name was involved from previous years."

Thank you!

Cadiva wrote: "Ariadna wrote: "ETA: If anyone knows of any other blogs that have pulled their SH posts, please signal boost. :)

Other romance blogs that have pulled SH-related posts (reviews, giveaways, etc)

- ..."

Your blog's the fifth one on the first list. ;)

I am still going through this thread, reading and re-reading and trying to make sense of it all.

What infuriates me the most, is that many people lost time - not days, not even weeks - but months and years of their lives to take a couple of con artists down.

I was not in any way aware of this situation until a day ago, but just reading about it infuriates me beyond all measure. This is criminal . The couple swindled people not only out of cash, but out of years of their lives, which can never be compensated.

I am rambling. Forgive me, but I had to vent.

*

I would love to see a list of authors who were and still are in cahoots with SH or stand by them 'just because', like Eddie, but coming from a country that is famous for a certain dictator and who in his time created all kinds of lists to destroy opponents, I don't think it's a fair or productive way to push back.

IMO, there will always be a few persons dragged in who don't deserve such extremes.

Every reader will have to decide for themselves which authors to blacklist. I am certainly making mine.

*

Thank you all, who saw this through, who survived years of SH manipulation and abuse.
Thank you all, who posted additional information for those of us just learning about M/M heist.

Aryana wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "Bev wrote: "In case anyone is interested, Amazon will not give refunds for any SH book purchased over 2 weeks ago although Audible, owned by Amazon, have given me credits for 2 of th..."

I also received refunds on both Audible and Amazon. I was able to return the Down By Contact audiobook through the "return" feature (I'm an Audible subscriber) for a credit. I opened a chat with customer service for the others, and was able to get my credits refunded that way.

I had to escalate my request on Amazon for my Kindle books -- I really, really wanted to return the Cyberlove books, because they are self-published, and the Barons books (because that publisher, AFAIK, still has a contract with SH).

If you are able, I suggest doing the "live chat" option instead of emailing. On the U.S. site, it's under "Quick Solutions" on the left (just click on the "Contact Us" button"):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...

The initial person I talked to refused my request, so I asked to escalate to a supervisor. He told me I still wouldn't be able to get a refund, but, the supervisor did go ahead and make an exception and refund my books. I've never returned a Kindle book before, and he said that was part of why they did so.

Karen wrote: "Well no matter what they'll have at least one Patron left because she's already told us all here that even though she's sorry about what happened she wants the remaining 5 boroughs books and plans on continuing to support 'the scumbag' (her words) to get them.
"

And there are still people who eat at Chic-fil-A (that disgusting homophobic and racist organization) cause they make good chicken. Some people really are that selfish.

If you still in any way support SH or his posse, you are entirely complicit in the bullying and harassment. I'm sure the Five Boroughs series will be available in Hell for your reading pleasure.

I don't get the people who are willing to overlook everything to read the books. It's sad when an author doesn't finish a series through lack of inspiration or ill-health/death, but when all is said and done, there are a zillion books out there. Minor blip in life, not a tragedy.

And in a case like this, where every word carries the taint of abuse and deceit, I just couldn't. No matter how much I'd enjoyed the previous ones, no matter how eagerly I'd anticipated the new ones, after this? Not a chance in hell they'd make it onto my e-reader. I'd feel dirty reading them, complicit even.

Ariadna wrote: "Your blog's the fifth one on the first list. ;) "

Yeah I realised that once I'd posted!

Alexandra wrote: "I also can't help but wonder, she claims here to have been physically attacked. WTF is that about?"

Vanessa has called out an author and a blogger by name on FB, claiming she was groped at two different GRL retreats in her attempt to defame and deflect and center.

I’ve never read any of his solo work and counting that short story from an anthology and his recent thing with Piper. I’m glad I wasn’t here to read any of his stuff.

For those he’ll bent on wanting his shit because it was so good. Drop that shit!! There are many amazing authors in this genre, some well known others a tiny fish in a big pond. New authors, the tried and true that’s been here for over 10yrs. Don’t let hype and popularity be the only reason you read books. There is so much greatness here.

He hurt people deeply, why would you want to be apart of anything he does.?

Here's the MMRG's mods' very non-commital post about the matter:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I guess this would fall into the "better than nothing" category, but I'm disappointed they're effectively banning discussion of this in their group.

Plus, they locked the thread so it won't have new posts and will quickly drop off in the recent threads. If you don't visit the group's homepage, you'll never know it's there.

Even just this morning, someone was reccing Strong Signal to someone looking for a book on a certain topic. *sigh*

Mónica wrote: "Sandyco wrote: "P.S. You can call me morally bankrupt, because I'm still a patron. I want the last two 5B books. I really am just there for the books, and it's unfortunate that this is the only way..."

Venga!!!!!

Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "Here's the MMRG's mods' very non-commital post about the matter:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

..."

It is pinned to the top, at least for now. And they linked this thread. So that's something. (I agree that they should have made a much clearer statement of WHY people should check this out though, instead of "something" happened - go read.)

Jenni Lea wrote: "Vanessa has called out an author and a blogger by name on FB, claiming she was groped at two different GRL retreats in her attempt to defame and deflect and center."

Ah, thanks for the clarification :)

Kaje wrote: "It is pinned to the top, at least for now. And they linked this thread. So that's something. (I agree that they might have made a much clearer statement of WHY people should check this out though.)"

It is pinned, but you have to go to the home page to see it. A lot of people don't. They just use the notifications or emails. And yes, they linked to this thread, so like I said, better than nothing.

But now we're in a position of having to stand in silence while others rec and discuss her books because they don't want people discussing what's happening?

Looks like I need to consider quitting that group again.

Kaje wrote: "Linda ~ chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny ~ wrote: "It is pinned, but you have to go to the home page to see it. A lot of people don't. They just use the notifications or emails...."

True.
I guess it will be up to those of us who comment there to keep the membership eye on the issue without igniting a firestorm (to which the group is prone.) - At least with regard to SH's own books, I'm comfortable with adding a caveat to anyone's recommendation that I might see. It does become more complex once it moves to his inner circle authors and beyond.

Jane wrote: "I don't get the people who are willing to overlook everything to read the books. It's sad when an author doesn't finish a series through lack of inspiration or ill-health/death, but when all is sai..."

But it didn't happen to them so it's not relevant to their lives as long as it's the other guy and not me, why should I care, right? It's a mindset that some people use to get through life but what they often forget is that at some point we all become the other guy and if we don't care what happens when we're not 'that guy' the question begs to be asked 'when we are, why should anyone else care.'

I wasn't directly victimized by this but maybe next time, which I hope there won't be a next time but realistically I know better and if it's me, I hope that a little of what I try to put out there in the world comes back to help me be as brave as so many people here have been and if that means I don't get to finish reading a series that to be quite honest the thought of reading now makes me nauseous it's a no brainer.

At the end of the day we all have to look into our mirrors and ask ourselves 'do I like what I see and who I was today?' and I try real hard to be able to answer yes that one every day.

Ariadna wrote: "ETA: If anyone knows of any other blogs that have pulled their SH posts, please signal boost. :)

Other romance blogs that have pulled SH-related posts (reviews, giveaways, etc)

- Dear Author (NB:..."

I just wanted to add that Diverse Reader has removed ALL posts and reviews of Santino Hassells. Also all reviews on GR are gone and Amazon's are in process. Due to the fact some books and authors were linked in with Santino such as Top Reads and awards it's unfortunate those posts were also taken down. As well Diverse Reader has 100% rid themselves of SH

~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Karen wrote: "Well no matter what they'll have at least one Patron left because she's already told us all here that even though she's sorry about what happened she wants the remaining 5 boroughs bo..."

You know I adore you right? And as far as the bs that's around...well, fiction writers gotta' right fiction don't they?

~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "Karen wrote: "Well no matter what they'll have at least one Patron left because she's already told us all here that even though she's sorry about what happened she wants the remaining 5 boroughs bo..."

I feel guilty enough leaving a couple of his books on my shelves, even if I removed the original reviews and ratings. Buying more is out of the question no matter how genius a writer they are.

Amy wrote: "It makes me sick to think there are people supporting him with $100 a month. ."

Honestly, I suspect there aren't. But locking those posts under that tier means that people who have canceled their pledge but still have access until the end of the month (because Patreon bills on the first of the month) cannot comment on those posts. Especially with SH now (in today's update) saying that they are not even around on Patreon and won't see comments. Instead, they have "scheduled" posts for March and April.

More interestingly, the "updates" that are locked that way are the announcement that they are leaving romance and the post with the link to the "apology."

That update is eye-opening though. Four chapters of those new books a month for $5? That's what? Six months per book -- $30? When readers would pay $5-$6 for an e-book/paperback of the full book? Even the diehard I-only-care-about-the-books people have to be side-eyeing that!

Ariadna wrote: "ETA: If anyone knows of any other blogs that have pulled their SH posts, please signal boost. :)

Other romance blogs that have pulled SH-related posts (reviews, giveaways, etc)

- Dear Author (NB:..."

We pulled all of our reviews from Boy Meets Boy Reviews as well.
www.boymeetsboyreviews.com

Lita wrote: "Amy wrote: "It makes me sick to think there are people supporting him with $100 a month. ."

Honestly, I suspect there aren't. But locking those posts under that tier means that people who have can..."

I doubt many are math-ing it out like that cuz I usually don’t. And wasn’t there other content still going to be included?

I’mma be honest, I always thought it was kinda weird that the lowest pledge for SH was $5 when most other authors I’ve followed started at $1 and there’s option to do it by item instead of by month, but maybe that just goes to show the greed of SH. Though most others I’ve pledged to are indie and self-pub kinda deals, so idk...

Lita wrote: "Amy wrote: "It makes me sick to think there are people supporting him with $100 a month. ."

Honestly, I suspect there aren't. But locking those posts under that tier means that people who have can..."

Hi, they announced they are leaving romance?

Roan Parrish just released a statement about SH on her FB. On phone so can't link.

Aryana wrote: "Roan Parrish just released a statement about SH on her FB. On phone so can't link."

https://www.facebook.com/roanparrishb...

Тамрико wrote: "Aryana wrote: "Roan Parrish just released a statement about SH on her FB. On phone so can't link."

https://www.facebook.com/roanparrishb..."

Thanks!

First I want to say to all who came forward, thank you.

Also, I saw SH's posts last year about being doxxed (their word) & saw the supposed screenshots to back up their claims. I believed the story without digging in any deeper. Because of that claim, I refused to buy another author's work. For all the harm caused by SH and because I didn't bother to do any other digging, I'm sorry.

New statement by Karen Stivali https://www.facebook.com/karenstivali...