Sun > Status Update

Tailtiu wrote: "Looks like Riptide is shutting down: https://www.riptidepublishing.com/reform"

I don't think they're shutting down as much as reorganizing, restructuring, and addressing the issues that have come to light in recent days.

Quote: We’re reducing our voice in the LGBTQIAP+ book community until a time in which that voice is no longer causing harm. Riptide has grown in many directions, some of which have strayed from our original mission; now we need to prune the aspects of our company, our attitudes, and our message that are rotten. It’s time for us to take a good, hard look at ourselves and foster new, diverse voices to help us see what we’ve missed in the past.

We will be closing our unsolicited submissions box until our internal issues have been addressed. Regarding upcoming book releases, we will honor our commitments to the authors who have placed their trust in us. All authors who have sought to dissolve relationships with us are being given their rights backs.

This reads to me like they will do what's necessary, and then, once they've figured out how to move forward in a positive way, be back.

Tailtiu wrote: "Looks like Riptide is shutting down: https://www.riptidepublishing.com/reform"

I don't know if I would say "shutting down" is accurate. Like the link says, they are reforming, not shutting down.

I'm glad they aren't closing down so much as limiting submissions because many authors rely on their distribution and I saw Austin Chant make poignant remarks against calling for authors to pull their books from RT. It's a shame, but hopefully the authors can take the time to get rights back and self-publish or submit elsewhere.

Hopefully this SH mess ends up for the better. I'd hate to see undeserving authors lose sales in this. ♥

New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p...

I really don't care about the gender of that person.

I do care about manipulation, defrauding, lying and harassment that they subjected people to. Still not happy :(
Not sure that anything SH says will make me forgive them, not for a long long time :(

Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

I'm sorry, but I'm not buying what they're selling.

Тамрико wrote: "Not sure that anything SH says will make me forgive them, not for a long long time :( "

... or ever :/

Tamara (緑) wrote: "Тамрико wrote: "Not sure that anything SH says will make me forgive them, not for a long long time :( "

... or ever :/"

like ... ever !

As I said on twitter:

Mention Cancer? Nope

Scads of medical bills? Nope

Apology for toxic behavior Re: @JennLA82 @SusanNYLee -The gaslighting, the cruelty? Nope

Apology to Noah? Nope

More Gaslighting? YUP!

They still think this is about identity.

Sandra wrote: "Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

I'm sorry, but I'm not buying what they're selling."

Nope, me either. There is so much wrong with that statement and so much still not addressed, It makes me feel icky.

Dani wrote: "They still think this is about identity. "

I think this was less apologizing to people who were hurt and more about gaslighting the rest of his followers on pateron...

Dani wrote: "They still think this is about identity. "

IMO, they chose to focus on something more 'forgivable', in the eyes of the people still supporting them. Once again, they're playing the victim card.
GAH this statement infuriates me !

Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

My response is to at least part of this statement, because frankly I read only one paragraph and was way too disgusted, and I was rolling my eyes too hard, to continue :-/!!! Yuck!!

One of the things SH writes: " ... I was a young guy who just discovered the internet ... "! Cue the violins and crocodile tears >:-o!! Blah blah blah, still up to the same deceit, lies, manipulation, and bullshit!!
This/these person/people, my G-d, no accountability, no responsibility, no remorse, no truth!!! Pure bullshit!!

SH ... deceitful, reprehensible, deplorable, shameful, and vile!! That is ALL I associate with this 'character' and frankly, his/her/their words mean absolutely NOTHING >:-o!!

// End angry reaction! That is ALL I have (or will have) to say :-/!!


* Edited because of autocorrect typo o__O!!

Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

And yet, he/she still has not apologized to the survivors for the toxic behavior that he/she has put on them (survivors). How insensitive and ignorant can one be?

My god, it's still all about him/her and the co-writers and friends that they've cultivated over the years. Still tryin' to cover up his/her fuck ups and disregards for the survivors with their latest 'cry me a river' post.

I think he/she/they are trying to draft various versions of "the truth" to see if they can stop the bleeding and maybe resurrect their career down the road. I would expect at least two more versions of this "confession" - once they gauge reactions, they'll craft another fiction, trying to mine sympathy.

This is far from over.

I know there are a lot of people who are calling me a catfish, but if we’re talking about me not being a cis bisexual guy, I’m sorry it’s not true.

No, we're talking about the cancer bills.

Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

I shouldn't have read this before bedtime. Now I'm furious and tomorrow I will hate myself for losing sleep over this f*cking nonsense of a statement. Damn, I'm angry!

Now, twenty-four hours after I wrote the previous statement, I’ve had some time to think about what I want to say and what I need to say. come up with a new story.

There, I amended it for you.

Josy wrote: "I shouldn't have read this before bedtime. Now I'm furious and tomorrow I will hate myself for losing sleep over this f*cking nonsense of a statement. Damn, I'm angry!"

I'm sorry? Ich wünsch dir trotzdem eine gute Nacht ;))

Claudia wrote: "Now, twenty-four hours after I wrote the previous statement, I’ve had some time to think about what I want to say and what I need to say. come up with a new story.

There, I amended it for you."

Brilliant !! That sounds way more realistic like this !

Claudia wrote: "Now, twenty-four hours after I wrote the previous statement, I’ve had some time to think about what I want to say and what I need to say. come up with a new story.

There, I amended it for you."

Ahahaha you're my hero!

Claudia wrote: "I know there are a lot of people who are calling me a catfish, but if we’re talking about me not being a cis bisexual guy, I’m sorry it’s not true.

No, we're talking about the cancer bills."

And Noah!

Tailtiu wrote: "I'm sorry? Ich wünsch dir trotzdem eine gute Nacht ;))..."

Ohhh!! A German fellow? Hi there :)
Nothing to be sorry for, lol! I knew before opening the link that it would be sh!t.
Dir auch eine gute Nacht! Schlaf gut!

And again with the "Ive been doxxed". This is SH playing the victim while blaming the actual victims.

Zaza wrote: "Claudia wrote: "Now, twenty-four hours after I wrote the previous statement, I’ve had some time to think about what I want to say and what I need to say. come up with a new story.

There, I amended it for you."

Brilliant !! That sounds way more realistic like this ! .."

LOL!! Okay, now I'm smiling again :) That was very crafty :)

D wrote: "Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

And yet, he/she still has not apologized to the survivors for the toxic behavior that he/she has put on them (surv..."

And still attacking and blaming Nikki and saying people should lay off their posse. Excuse me?!?!

Tere wrote: "I think he/she/they are trying to draft various versions of "the truth" to see if they can stop the bleeding and maybe resurrect their career down the road. I would expect at least two more versions of this "confession" - once they gauge reactions, they'll craft another fiction, trying to mine sympathy.

This is far from over."

You are so right. I and many others here called bullshit, from jump street.

I believe that he/she/they have spent (are spending) many sleepless hours concocting this poisonous brew and trying to craft the best and sweetest elixir so that its bitterness is palpable to those attendees at their masquerade party.

Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

Still very, very vague. Still trying to cover up?

Why didn't s/he come clean when s/he gave up the job in education. That's what most of us Patreons were helping him do. "Make enough money writing so he could do it fulltime." That was the big selling point.

So why not show the face and come clean afterwards? Why now? Why so vague? Not many people are going to hold you accountable for something you did when you were a stupid, messed up teen. (15-18 years ago)

But now? Why worry about the "doxxing"? S/he is not some big movie star who needs a personal guard. Why not come clean with the truth and if someone comes knocking welcome them in for a cup of tea?

So, married once, or twice?
One kid or two?
Kid gay or not?
Cancer or not?

Still saying s/he's been mistaken for his "friend". So who is s/he? Who has been writing?

And the real question...why does it matter to us now? We know for fact s/he is a complete asshole. That hasn't changed over the years. So...

Stop with the half-ass explanations and new lies. I barely believed you before, I certainly am not going to swallow the new smoke.

*angry me*

I know my post is barely comprehensible. I'm just that angry at that new post.

Isn't it ironic how SH talks about "his" privacy while splashing other people's life details all over the place.

Lita wrote: "Karen wrote: "Kate wrote: "Annika wrote: "Has anyone spoken to Tantor about the audiobooks?"
I was curious about that too. I have 13 audiobook written or co written by sh. Every time I talked to so..."

Ok, if I haven't gotten anything more from them by tomorrow I'll try calling. In all honesty I'm not looking for a refund I was asking them to pull the audio books from their site. I purchased some of the audio books that I have of his but some came from Riptide in exchange for my reviews. So those I'll probably just delete from my shelves.

Sounds a lot like trying to repackage the same bucket of crap. Although I will give him credit for admitting to being an a$$hole...like we haven't all figured that one out already...maybe he/she/they should try a career in politics.

Megan Erickson issued an non-apology, then a half-assed apology in which she flat out lied about knowing SH’s identity (which was the least of her sins), and then an apology for lying and people are sending her hugs and well-wishes?

Just read the latest wave of apologies by SH and Riptide people and I can no longer even keep track of all of the apologies that have been issued in response to people being called out for lies and and falsehoods contained in preceding apologies!

Book wrote: "Just read the latest wave of apologies by SH and Riptide people and I can no longer even keep track of all of the apologies that have been issued in response to people being called out for lies and..."

RIght? Unless they come up with "i am a complete ass, no excuses" I don't care how cute or desperate or a victim to a lie they are/were. Simple. No pages, no paragraphs, just a few words.

I want to just make this clear, since it was brought up /here/ again.

Riptide's most recent statement is again problematic. Every single remark they have made has been disgusting. I will not give them another four years to harm more people. Not again. They are problematic from the core - you can't fix that.

And onto Megan Erickson. There is so much evidence to suggest she knew in the threads we've seen. Regardless, she showed herself as cruel and a general mean girl. Again, that does not deserve to be rewarded.

In both cases, congrats for trying to be decent human beings? Do you want a damn sticker?

Still refers to being a guy. Good grief. The tales they weave. This latest statement is a bunch of continued fabrication at every level.

Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."


Wow. That is some convoluted “explaining” right there, but it sounds like they’re trying to say that Alicia started writing the fanfic, got bored of it, ‘Santino’ took over, started writing books, and then Alicia came back and they got married?

So, basically, they’re still pretending ‘Santino’ is a real individual person who simply used a pen name and maybe told a few untruths here and there b/c 1) “he” was a newb 2) “he”was drunk/high a lot 3) “he” wanted to stop but “he” was just in too deep and 4) “he” never expected to be friends with the same people for so long (Seriously?)

“He” was doxxed, “he” was just scared to be honest, “he’s” a victim, and you all better be careful with the people who exposed him b/c they’re bad and they’ll come after you, too!

But everything else (nothing) is 100% “his” fault.

I know there will be those who buy this bullshit (like I said before, some people are amazingly adept at convincing themselves when they really want to believe something) but I just don’t get how anybody could read that and think “Yeah. That makes sense.” O.o

ETA: Re: the alleged doxxing? Did anyone really post their address, their kids school, the inside of their house, etc?

Notice on Alisha Monroe's profile:

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

Fluid gender.

If that's the correct Alisha/Alicia, the latest fauxpology is just the next step in getting to that.

Mymymble wrote: "TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."


Wow. That is some convoluted “explaining” right there, but it sounds like t..."

It concerns me more that there may a child being raised by those two.

~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ wrote: "The Cyberlove series, which I will admit I loved to the moon and back, is forever tainted. I will never reread. I will never recommend. I feel sick remembering how much I enjoyed the stories."

It's makes one wonder if the other three books in that series also feature real-life experiences that have been purloined for profit >:(

Fabi wrote: "Mymymble wrote: "TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."


Wow. That is some convoluted “explaining” right there, but..."

Fabi, ageed. It's terrifying that a child is involved.

Barnes & Noble still has SH books on sale. Did anyone contact them?

IF SH is telling the truth and the kid was involved, that's scary. It should have never happened.

Тамрико wrote: "IF SH is telling the truth and the kid was involved, that's scary. It should have never happened."

Look, the people who exposed SH have already been bullied, gaslighted, ghosted, excluded and abused by SH, their friends and their fans. They've been called liars and their claims dismissed time and time again because WE didn't take the time to look. When I finally did look there is no evidence that they doxxed SH or his family. In fact, they even posted a copy of the law suit Alicia Torres filed against them and let's remember that was dismissed by a court of law due to a lack of evidence, unfounded etc.

Also, I suspect that these girls know more about SH, their child (children - I don't know) than what they've stated and have chosen not to disclose any information about said offspring.

If SH had proof of any doxxing going on then they would have used it by now. That ridiculous and pathetic statement they posted earlier was nothing more than a poor attempt to appeal to the readers they still have. There are still 270+ Patreon subscribers whose money I'm sure they'd love to keep, who they are counting on to be unaware of all of the details of their long con, hence not mentioning the people they abused online, taking money, gifts etc and lying about their illnesses.

I won't call these girls liars. They said they didn't dox SH's family and I believe them. However, SH IS a liar, has been proven as one, by others and by their own words.

Claudia wrote: "Thank you! I feel so stupid about the SM thing now. xDDD ..."

I couldn't figure it out either a couple of days ago - I kept thinking Sean Michael but that didn't make sense.

@MizTia

I have my doubts about the kid story. There is not a word of truth out of SH's mouth so far. I mean, why doxxing the kid? It makes no sense. Still, I thought there might be some truth in it. I should really know better by now.

What is happening is someone who is abusive is coming up with excuses for their behavior without truly acknowledging anything. It's all shallow words.

Samantha wrote: "What is happening is someone who is abusive is coming up with excuses for their behavior without truly acknowledging anything. It's all shallow words."

It's the same behavior we've already seen from them time and time again, just now with a different spin.

Anne-Marie wrote: "D wrote: "Tailtiu wrote: "New statement from SH: http://santinohassell.com/the-other-p..."

And yet, he/she still has not apologized to the survivors for the toxic behavior that he/she has put on ..."

+1

Additionally, unless they remove the e-books with objectionable content (using their victims' stories) voluntarily and not because the publisher pulled them, anything they say will be more like "sorry not sorry". Not even going to read their apology, waste of time. If you're really sorry you will behave like you're sorry.

MizTia wrote: "Тамрико wrote: "IF SH is telling the truth and the kid was involved, that's scary. It should have never happened."

Look, the people who exposed SH have already been bullied, gaslighted, ghosted, e..."


I haven’t seen any evidence of it either, which is why I asked. And asking is not calling them liars. From what I understand, some of the initial info has been deleted. (Nikki’s first account)

Unfortunately, in this situation, a certain amount of personal info had to be disclosed to expose the scam. I get that as I’m sure most other people do. The kids school, the inside of their house, however, don’t seem like necessary info.

Look, maybe the person got overzealous at one point. It happens. Maybe they made a mistake or two while trying to get as much evidence out as possible. Acknowledging that doesn’t mean they’re not still victims in this or that SH is not still the liar here.

Personally, I’d like to know b/c SH is using it as a large part of their defense/sob story. I’d like to say it didn’t happen, or didn’t happen the way they’re claiming, but I don’t actually know that.

I assumed that there were a few people on this thread who’d been there from the beginning, who might be able to debunk or explain it. If they don’t want to answer or don’t know, that’s fine.

But it’s a little unfair to make people feel like they can’t ask for clarity on something without being accused of victim blaming.

Yeah, not listening and seeking out the truth was part the problem here, but so was believing that certain people are beyond all reproach.