Sun > Status Update

Ann wrote: "It's a case of "Great minds think alike". I hadn't seen Anne's post or anything similar when I wrote mine. Like I said..."

Thank you for the post!

Manda wrote: "I’m not so sure about that. I think they might have a dangerous mentality, that they have been wronged and might want to get involved again with the same genre under a different pen name and different tactics. They might just believe they can pull it off again. They might even reappair as someone who was hurt by SH to gain sympathy. I know I’m paranoid... "

No, you're not paranoid. I think that is a possibility. She certainly seems to have a strong preference for the MM sub-genre, and that's something to keep in mind.

However I also think the possibility she might try her hand at another sub-genre, or different genre, should be on the radar. I wouldn't exclude any of those possibilities.

Mónica wrote: "Mónica wrote: "Susan wrote: "I think it's really odd that we haven't seen or heard anything from Alicia in all of this. I'm guessing the plan is to let Marvin take the fall (they're gonna die on th..."

**edited by the original poster**

Viv wrote: "Mónica wrote: "Mónica wrote: "Susan wrote: "I think it's really odd that we haven't seen or heard anything from Alicia in all of this. I'm guessing the plan is to let Marvin take the fall (they're ..."

Shit. Sorry. I'm double checking and deleting that!

Edit: deleted! Sorry again!

Edit 2: Shitx2, I know who that is actually, so double and triple shit.

so Rachel Haimowitz also dislikes POC?
edit: ?

Mónica wrote: "Viv wrote: "Mónica wrote: "Mónica wrote: "Susan wrote: "I think it's really odd that we haven't seen or heard anything from Alicia in all of this. I'm guessing the plan is to let Marvin take the fa..."

No problem. I edited mine too. Thanks for fixing!

Manda wrote: "I think they might have a dangerous mentality, that they have been wronged and might want to get involved again with the same genre under a different pen name and different tactics. They might just believe they can pull it off again. They might even reappair as someone who was hurt by SH to gain sympathy. I know I’m paranoid... .."

Whoa!!! I hadn't even thought about this!! It's a very scary thought!

Well, let us review...

http://dearauthor.com/features/letter...

http://thefangirl.booklikes.com/post/...


Again. They are reactionary. Problematic.

Samantha wrote: "Well, let us review...

http://dearauthor.com/features/letter...

http://thefangirl.booklikes.com/post/......"

that answers my question.
ugh I didn't know about this.

Back to SH?

Not that slavery discussion is not important, but Susan did post a few hours ago asking to stick to the subject.

Thebomb wrote: "Annika wrote: "Does anyone know what the repercussions for SH could be for all of this?
Is there any way that he could be held responisble or liable in any way, or are the pulled contracts the only...

from the beginning I felt like there's legal ground for lawsuits. dunno if anybody agrees.
they should NOT be still able to profit "

There is precedent. Here in Georgia about 10 years ago, a woman won a $100,000 lawsuit against an author friend for defamation.
https://www.aarp.org/politics-society...

I'm not on any social media except GR so my updates for the publisher pages for Hassell:

Penguin/Berkeley/Intermix: Author page still up with three books listed, two already pubbed and one due in August.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/au...

Тамрико wrote: "Back to SH?

Not that slavery discussion is not important, but Susan did post a few hours ago asking to stick to the subject."

The post was edited, but I was answering a question regarding precedence for the behavior. I think it does go to SH, actually.

On a deeper level, what they showed was that they knew about RT's bad behavior -- see the messages they sent -- and then decided to go with them anyway. Interesting, right? Or maybe because you're more likely to get away with stuff when you know no one is held accountable and everything can be smoothed over with a few pretty words.

http://riptidepublishing.com/SL-state...

ChaosMoon wrote: "I had my own horrible abusive email exchange with Sadie Sins when I emailed to ask about where to buy her books. She had pulled them from KU, after a long disturbing rant. Then, I found her website..."

It is absolutely NOT your fault that that author overreacted to someone asking to pay money to support their writing. Most authors love it when people want to buy their books. That's kind of why they write them, lol.

Alexandra wrote: "I'm just gonna link this here:

http://blackmagicblues.com/on-sarah-l..."

I am not at all surprised by this, sadly.

Disgusting. So, so disgusting. Yes, let's take sexual assault and open with a comment about intimacy. Let's just retraumatize a survivor. Cool.

Samantha wrote: "The post was edited, but I was answering a question regarding precedence for the behavior. I think it does go to SH, actually.

On a deeper level, what they showed was that they knew about RT's bad behavior -- see the messages they sent -- and then decided to go with them anyway. Interesting, right? Or maybe because you're more likely to get away with stuff when you know no one is held accountable and everything can be smoothed over with a few pretty words. "

Courtney Milan points out the problematic behavior they try to "smooth over with a few pretty words"

https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/sta...

Samantha wrote: "Тамрико wrote: "Back to SH?

Not that slavery discussion is not important, but Susan did post a few hours ago asking to stick to the subject."

The post was edited, but I was answering a question r..."

I think it deserves a thread of its own.

These people are all in publishing. Writers, editors, publishers. Their CAREERS are about words. Why can't anyone write a decent, human, sincere apology?

Susan wrote: "These people are all in publishing. Writers, editors, publishers. Their CAREERS are about words. Why can't anyone write a decent, human, sincere apology?"

THIS!! So much THIS!!

But I believe it's because - and I HATE to have to say this - it seems that while they believe in the stories they tell, it doesn't seem like they believe in their "apologies" :-/!!
I in turn do NOT believe anything they write, NOT AT ALL, not even in the slightest >:-o!!

I can't help but to be continuously disgusted and repulsed by their fauxpologies, just as I am with everything else in this horrific tragedy :-/!!

Shame on them >:-o!!

Susan wrote: "These people are all in publishing. Writers, editors, publishers. Their CAREERS are about words. Why can't anyone write a decent, human, sincere apology?"

While the temptation to snark here is strong, my serious thought is that they honestly don't think that this has staying power; that they'll lose the attention and ire of those who have been invested for some time, but that it's not going to spread.

Of course, it has. I learned about this from a couple of authors I follow, and I have been lurking, but sharing with fellow fans irl. I can't imagine that I'm alone - and I know that the reaction among the people I've shared with has been the same as mine - horror/disgust/fury at the deception and abuse of SH combined with disgust/anger at the enablers who won't take responsibility.

My circle is small, but I have a hard time believing that the position as a spectator with lurker/non-SM connected friends is all that unique.

So the DNR list is growing, and it is painful, because it includes some authors I really like(d).

Silver lining is that the TBR list is also growing, with new discoveries.

It feels like the pixelated equivalent of lip service, but DAMN do those of you who have been violated and attacked by SH and associates have my sympathy and admiration.

Тамрико wrote: "SI think it deserves a thread of its own. "

I have created a thread here about Riptide and Sarah Lyons, if people would like to move that part of the discussion over to it.

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

Susan wrote: "These people are all in publishing. Writers, editors, publishers. Their CAREERS are about words. Why can't anyone write a decent, human, sincere apology?"

Some of the more feeble apologies sound like the authors were cribbing from Bad Apology Bingo. ("I am paying the price," "There was a lot going on in my life," etc.) Check it out.

Ann wrote: “I have created a thread here about Riptide and Sarah Lyons, if people would like to move that part of the discussion over to it.

https:..."

Thank you! There is so much going on, it’s getting hard to follow @.@

Susan wrote: "These people are all in publishing. Writers, editors, publishers. Their CAREERS are about words. Why can't anyone write a decent, human, sincere apology?"

Did anyone see Eddie Witt’s apology on FB? “Lori didn’t know ...”

Sorry, not buying what he’s selling

Ann wrote: "Тамрико wrote: "SI think it deserves a thread of its own. "

I have created a thread here about Riptide and Sarah Lyons, if people would like to move that part of the discussion over to it.

https:..."

Thank you, Ann.
<3

It seems SH's patreon is down to 281. What was the last count? 330?

I'm glad people are realizing they've been duped!

Ann wrote: "JenMcJ wrote: "Maybe they just think a lot alike or she was inspired by her."

It's a case of "Great minds think alike". I hadn't seen Anne's post or anything similar when I wrote mine. Like I said..."

Thank you!

Susan wrote: "These people are all in publishing. Writers, editors, publishers. Their CAREERS are about words. Why can't anyone write a decent, human, sincere apology?"

I'm wondering about this, too. It can't be so hard, can it? And I'm including all the other non-apologies we have heard before.

I think my question from yesterday got lost but I need the email address of the other two publishers again, please. I've emailed ConsumerServices@PenguinRandomHouse.com but I can't find the second one.

Paul wrote: "Did anyone see Eddie Witt’s apology on FB? “Lori didn’t know ...”

Sorry, not buying what he’s selling .."

No, I haven't yet. Did he post on her page or his own?

Tamara (緑) wrote: "It seems SH's patreon is down to 281. What was the last count? 330?

I'm glad people are realizing they've been duped!"

I think you are right. I haven't checked for a few days. It's still too many.

Josy wrote: "Paul wrote: "Did anyone see Eddie Witt’s apology on FB? “Lori didn’t know ...”

Sorry, not buying what he’s selling .."

No, I haven't yet. Did he post on her page or his own?"

Eddie posted it in his page

I've been mulling on something...

I'm not an author and admit that I don't have the first clue how it works when 2 auhtors co write a book. In this case I'm thinking of ME's culpability. I mean is there *any* possibility, at all, that she didn't know that Strong Signal come from Noah's life and everything that she shared with SH?
I honestly have a hard time believing that. SH and ME have written several books togehter, so i don't believe she didn't know, from what I've read here the two have been very close for years...

Paul wrote: "Eddie posted it in his page ..."

Found it and... Nope, not buying it either. Bad attempt at damage control if you ask me.

Paul wrote: "Susan wrote: "These people are all in publishing. Writers, editors, publishers. Their CAREERS are about words. Why can't anyone write a decent, human, sincere apology?"

Did anyone see Eddie Witt’s..."

First thing I saw this morning, not buying it either. And calling it an 'academic piece'? Really?

Just got my refunds from Amazon DE for the self-published books!! They were very sympathetic and said they fully understand that I don't want to keep the books any longer after what has happened.

Tamara (緑) wrote: "It seems SH's patreon is down to 281. What was the last count? 330?

I'm glad people are realizing they've been duped!"

Sadly in one hour it's gone up to 282...someone just joined. :(

Annika wrote: "I've been mulling on something...

I'm not an author and admit that I don't have the first clue how it works when 2 auhtors co write a book. In this case I'm thinking of ME's culpability. I mean is..."

Playing devil's advocate I'd say there is a possibility that she didn't know although, like you, I have no idea how co-writing works and who writes what. But let's say SH "came up with the idea" for the story and tells her about it. Why would she suspect that it wasn't their own and that they used personal information they got from someone else? SH lays out the story and they work from there.

I think my opinion about this in particular hinges on the fact if she knew that everything that came out of their mouth was a lie. If she did know and covered up for them, I think it's very likely that she also knew about Noah and the others that were betrayed so horribly. But that's only my opinion.

Josy wrote: "Annika wrote: "I've been mulling on something...

I'm not an author and admit that I don't have the first clue how it works when 2 auhtors co write a book. In this case I'm thinking of ME's culpabi..."

That is a possibility of course, but I'm also wondering about the likelihood of it. I mean from all accounts they seem to be close friends both in RL and on SM, so in all that time she must have known something was off. Maybe she didn't know the particulars, but she must have known something.

I still can't get over how they exploited other people like that, it's just horrible.

Annika wrote: "That is a possibility of course, but I'm also wondering about the likelihood of it. I mean from all accounts they seem to be close friends both in RL and on SM, so in all that time she must have known something was off..."

I don't think we will ever get the truth about what she did and didn't know.

Annika wrote: "I still can't get over how they exploited other people like that, it's just horrible. ..."

Yeah... You have to believe me that I don't mean to dimish anyone's pain no matter what they have experienced but this in particular just makes me sick - literally - and I'm hating myself for ever saying that SH's books sounded and felt so "real". I feel like I invaded their privacy, like I read their diary, like I stole their most private thoughts.

Josy wrote: "Annika wrote: "That is a possibility of course, but I'm also wondering about the likelihood of it. I mean from all accounts they seem to be close friends both in RL and on SM, so in all that time s..."

Yeah... You have to believe me that I don't mean to dimish anyone's pain no matter what they have experienced but this in particular just makes me sick - literally - and I'm hating myself for ever saying that SH's books sounded and felt so "real". I feel like I invaded their privacy, like I read their diary, like I stole their most private thoughts.

THIS ☝.. I keep relieving the book Strong Signal and my stomach drops every time, i can't get Noah's story out of my head, And i recently re-read The Baron series so the name Noah and Gavin is still fresh in my mind. I want to erase it all and i wish it was possible, so that the feeling that i invaded Noah's privacy would disappear.

I know maybe in a few years time, people would have forgotten or forgiven them, but i don't think i will, because upto now i have never gotten over what Sloane did to Dani. I know she apologized but every time i open her book, i remember the face book rant against Dani and close it. Now this is even bigger than that.

I am so sorry for what the victims went through.

Does anyone know how the current goings-ons are affecting things like Hoopla? I borrowed several of SH’s books through that platform and idk how borrowing affects author, but also am still seeing the 5B series on Hoopla last I checked, even though those were published by Dreamspinner and Riptide, both of whom pulled the books on other platforms.

Annika wrote: "I've been mulling on something...

I'm not an author and admit that I don't have the first clue how it works when 2 auhtors co write a book. In this case I'm thinking of ME's culpability. I mean is..."


A second devils advocate here, but assuming that any of SH’s co-authors could’ve known about that seems pretty unreasonable.

Unless SH told them flat out (extremely unlikely) or they themselves happened to also have the same intimate personal conversations with Noah or whoever else SH took those stories from (again, unlikely), there literally would’ve been no way for them to know that.

I’m not defending any of those that behaved badly on SH’s behalf, their behavior is, IMO, the main issue and the ‘but he was muh friend!’ excuse doesn’t negate what they did and holds no sway with me.

But oftentimes people who are friends with liars and manipulators convince themselves that they’re different. That, sure, he’s lying and manipulating everyone else, but I’m his real friend and he wouldn’t do that to me.

It’s kind of like those who get into relationships with known cheaters or abusers and believe that the person won’t do it to them.

In all likelihood, those inner circle people were also being lied to and manipulated (again, doesn't excuse anything they did) but they probably worked really hard to convince themselves otherwise. Like lashing out at anyone who threatened to pop that bubble.

Marbles wrote: "Shile loves books wrote: "Josy wrote: "Annika wrote: "That is a possibility of course, but I'm also wondering about the likelihood of it. I mean from all accounts they seem to be close friends both..."

Sloane Kennedy
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

She went on a rant because Dani wrote in her review that her books were guilty pleasure... Her fans were vicious.

My husband heard about the Santino Hassell incident on public radio yesterday, and all about what's going on. Which is amazing, it's making the news. He only stopped to listen because he recognized the name from where I've been telling him about it (he's not a reader).

I want to un-read every book I ever read by them!

Sloane Kennedy is of my tbr-list since this FB rant. I missed her apology, though.

At this point when it comes to reading their books, it doesn't matter so much anymore (to me) if they knew or didn't. They are off my tbr-list. At least until they own their mistakes and show that they truly regret their behavior towards readers. Even if they thought they were protecting and defending a friend, it was their choice to be vicious and horrible. They could have argued and been a good friend without bullying, harassing, threatening, and badmouthing people they don't agree with. I'm not active on SM so I missed their behavior completely but now that I know, I won't support them anymore. If it turns out they didn't know about SH and they show that they have changed their behavior towards readers, I will reconsider my decision.

That being said, do I need to include Avon Gale in this group? I think her name came up every now and then as someone who bullied but I'm not sure.

TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "I'm not an author and admit that I don't have the first clue how it works when 2 auhtors co write a book. In this case I'm thinking of ME's culpabi


A second devils advocate here, but assuming that any of SH’s co-authors could’ve known about that seems pretty unreasonable.

Unless SH told them flat out (extremely unlikely) or they themselves happened to also have the same intimate personal conversations with Noah or whoever else SH took those stories from (again, unlikely), there literally would’ve been no way for them to know that. ..."

I agree with everything you've said.

Steven wrote: "My husband heard about the Santino Hassell incident on public radio yesterday, and all about what's going on. Which is amazing, it's making the news. He only stopped to listen because he recognized..."

YAY!!!!! That's awesome and makes me really happy!!
Do you know what station it was? Maybe they have a website and we could share it through twitter so that more people outside the mm/m romance genre are learning about it in case SH really tries to come back in the m/f genre and so people know what to look for.

I've been trying to come up with ways of letting more people know. I proposed the idea of someone writing online articles for known websites/newspapers but I got no responses so I don't know if it isn't useful or feasible.