Sun > Status Update

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

Ha! still no real apology, I don't believe a word he/she says. These people are sociopaths no real emotions in that statement. It is still about them.🙄🙄 Where is the apology to the people they victimized. 😞😞

This new statement doesn't make sense at all.
He was slowly telling people more truths about his life? Yes, that totally explains the lying about cancer and all the other lies people caught him telling. Sure......

They are getting more ridiculous by the minute, Alicia and Marvin...

I can't believe anyone believes this nonsense. It's insulting, really, that they think we would fall for this crap. But if you read through some comments on their Instagram (I'm warning you though: it isn't pretty and if you don't need to know, don't read them!!) there are still people defending them. And they sound as ridiculous as SH. It's almost like they were brainwashed and it's scary as hell. And their Patreon still shows 273 as of right now :/ Does Patreon has Twitter or something? I've reported the account but it seems we need to do more.

TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "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, gasligh..."

I think it's a fair point to ask for clarifications, but don't know if you missed it: Angela who (as far as I can tell) is one of the original 'nasty birds' said this in comment 1976:

"Please trust me. There was no child doxxing."

Since I actually think there are no children, I guess that's totally true. ;)

I would expect the allegations SH made in that post are a tissue of lies to garner sympathy. The post really shows SH doing the gaslighting and attempt at manipulation SH is so good at.

I'm getting more and more certain he is indeed testing the waters with every new apology, seeing what flies and what doesn't.

He deleted his first apology. Anyone got screencaps?
http://santinohassell.com/2018/03/ful...

(ETA: When you google "Santino Hassell" the second thing that comes up is his "Full post and apology". I guess everyone clicked it to the top! )

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

I feel a little insulted, to be honest.
Did you notice they didn't even try to deny they used other people's life to write books? Why? Because they can't spin a half-convincing lie about that?

MizTia wrote: "If SH had proof of any doxxing going on then they would have used it by now."

That’s exactly what I was thinking. IF their child was put in danger and they claim to have proof of that, why the hell are they wasting time issuing statement and “apologies” instead of going to a lawyer or the police immediately? If they already did, why not say so?
IF it’s true, it’s just another proof that their priorities are completely upside-down.

Tamara (緑) wrote: "I'm getting more and more certain he is indeed testing the waters with every new apology, seeing what flies and what doesn't.

He deleted his first apology. Anyone got screencaps?
http://santinoh..."

That’s my take too.

Line wrote: "TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "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, gasligh..."

I think it's a fair point to ask for clarifications, but don't know if you missed it: Angela who (as far as I can tell) is one of the original 'nasty birds' said this in comment 1976:

"Please trust me. There was no child doxxing." .."

I also think it's a fair question to ask. Not that I don't believe Nikki and the others. I do 100%. But it should be allowed to ask if someone needs reassurance or clarification. So here is what Angla said on Twitter about it:
https://twitter.com/angela_s2526/stat...

Elena wrote: "That’s exactly what I was thinking. IF their child was put in danger and they claim to have proof of that, why the hell are they wasting time issuing statement and “apologies” instead of going to a lawyer or the police immediately? If they already did, why not say so?
IF it’s true, it’s just another proof that their priorities are completely upside-down.."

^^THIS^^

If you bought EXPOSED: A Romance Anthology, I just got an email from amazon.de that an update is available so SH should be gone from it now. I forgot to cancel my pre-order but maybe I will just let it sit. Annabeth Albert is going to donate her "personal royalties from this anthology to charity--the Trevor Project and a Domestic Violence charity locally." https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Josy wrote: "If you bought EXPOSED: A Romance Anthology, I just got an email from amazon.de that an update is available so SH should be gone from it now. I forgot to cancel my pre-order but mayb..."

I cancelled my pre-order a while ago, and regardless of whether SH is in or not, Vanessa North is still in there, and that rules it out for me. I will never purchase another VN book.

Josy wrote: "Line wrote: "TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "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 peopl..."


Thank you, Josy.

Bev wrote: "Josy wrote: "If you bought EXPOSED: A Romance Anthology, I just got an email from amazon.de that an update is available so SH should be gone from it now. I forgot to cancel my pre-o..."

Can I just say that, that title is beyond fitting for everything that has happened.

Bev wrote: "Josy wrote: "If you bought EXPOSED: A Romance Anthology, I just got an email from amazon.de that an update is available so SH should be gone from it now. I forgot to cancel my pre-o..."

Same here [I cancelled my pre-order too]!! Vanessa North, Karen Stivali ... nope, nope, NOPE!!

Bev wrote: "I cancelled my pre-order a while ago, and regardless of whether SH is in or not, Vanessa North is still in there, and that rules it out for me. I will never purchase another VN book. .."

That's why I'm not sure yet what to do. I absolutely hate that VN is in it but... Yeah, I don't know yet.

Annika wrote: "Bev wrote: "Josy wrote: "If you bought EXPOSED: A Romance Anthology, I just got an email from amazon.de that an update is available so SH should be gone from it now. I forgot to can..."

^^^ this!!

*~*~*Kael*~*~* wrote: "Bev wrote: "Josy wrote: "If you bought EXPOSED: A Romance Anthology, I just got an email from amazon.de that an update is available so SH should be gone from it now. I forgot to can..."

Yup, yup!! 😊

Speaking of the anthology, there is an author involved who I've heard from another author is in support of everyone who's been hurt by SH. It's Tiffany Reisz and according to the author I spoke to, she and her husband are livid about the situation and what has happened.
She has a huge SM following: 14,900 on FB, 6,700 on GR and 3,300 on Instagram. I've only seen one post by her in regard to this and that was in relation the anthology.
I want to ask if anyone would like to contact her and ask if she'd be willing to write a blog post or something. As far as I could see, she mainly writes m/f so the chances that she would reach people who are not aware of the SH mess yet are good, I think. According to the author I spoke to, she's "good people" and they thought she would be willing to help. Since I was never directly involved with SH, I feel it isn't my place to approach her, but I wanted to let you all know about it in case one of you want to try and talk to her.
https://www.instagram.com/tiffany_reisz/
https://www.facebook.com/littleredrid...

Tamara (緑) wrote: Ahahaha you're my hero!
Oh, no! The #Nastybirds are the real ones. :D

Anne-Marie wrote: And Noah!
And so much more he's not addressing.

Sakura wrote: "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 ..."

As this author profile is not a Goodreads author, they were not able to make this change themselves, thus it was made by a GR librarian. Any GR librarian can view who made the change. Additionally, it is likely that this change was requested in the Librarian group. Please don't harass the librarians - they likely didn't know anything about this situation.

Sandra wrote: "Sakura wrote: "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 th..."

I'm not sure there is any change. I think that's what it said before.

Fabi wrote: "I'm not sure there is any change. I think that's what it said before. .."

I looked the profile up a week ago and it already said gender fluid then.

Josy wrote: "Fabi wrote: "I'm not sure there is any change. I think that's what it said before. .."

I looked the profile up a week ago and it already said gender fluid then."

I looked at the librarian edits, it looks like the person who entered the info made that edit in 2015!! No one has touched or edited the profile since!!

Angela wrote: "Please trust me. There was no child doxxing."

This I believe. I just meant a child living in that household with those parents is a scary thought.

*~*~*Kael*~*~* wrote: "Josy wrote: "Fabi wrote: "I'm not sure there is any change. I think that's what it said before. .."

I looked the profile up a week ago and it already said gender fluid then."

I looked at the libr..."

I didn't look that closely. That being in the profile... it just makes me think of a really long con. Like she knew she'd be found out at some point and tried to cover all bases.

Josy wrote: "Line wrote: "TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "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 peopl..."

I would like to second what Angela said. We saw it from the beginning and he also shared a lot of details with everyone about his “roommates” child in various places, including groups here on goodreads (numerous people can vouch for that). There is another interesting thing that “he” seems to leave out regarding pictures of child/children but we have never posted that because it does involve child/children directly and that’s not right to do. He’s posted pictures of the inside of his own house numerous places as well. His Snapchats feature the inside of his home. They feature his dog, his Instagram features his cat. All of this information he has readily provided people. I’ll leave it at this, he had no problems uploading things regarding a child that was the “roomies” kid on social media including YouTube. Strange how his “children” were off limits but the “roommates” kid was ok to be posted about until the “rebranding of Santino” happened. As for a police report, he claimed they went to the police (took a picture and posted it online under his other account, his “roommate” Mike) and the police said “he” needed to obtain a lawyer. Then the court document from Alicia shows up online. It was dismissed due to lack of evidence. All of that information is public records, if you care to look it up.

Speechless. I am speechless.
Or not, since I’m about to go on a long-winded rant. ;)

I am a DSP author (under a different pen name, link so you can see I use my real picture and am not pretending to be anything other than myself- Leigh Carman) and have some definite opinions on several issues brought to light in the fallout of the SH nightmare. Let’s get to it, shall we?

AUTHOR BEHAVIOR

1. It is NOT okay to steal people’s lives and put them in your book. EVER. Steal means exactly what you think it means, without permission.

2. NEVER tell a reader they can or can’t voice their opinion with regards to your books. Censorship isn’t just about allowing you to write and publish your book, it’s about other people having the right to support, trash, burn, or love your book if they so choose.

3. I can’t IMAGINE going after someone on SM (or anywhere) because “a friend” told me to. If my BFF were to come to me and complain that someone was being mean to her on SM and I needed to get involved, I would laugh my ass off and tell her she’s on her own. If she truly felt unsafe, I’d tell her to go to the authorities. What I WOULDN’T do is harass, stalk, block, bully, repost, retweet, blog, rant, or call out anyone on her behalf. Why? I’m not in middle school and life isn’t the movie Mean Girls.

4. Like someone in this thread said, when it comes to interacting with anyone on SM/IRL, you are a BUSINESS, not an individual. Is it fair? Meh. Maybe, maybe not, but it’s life. I won’t watch Mel Gibson since he was revealed to be a misogynistic, anti-Semitic, racist asshat. You’re not special. If you act like a jackass/bully, don’t expect people to support you either.

5. It IS okay to approach a reader (privately), who wrote a critical review only if you are SERIOUS about knowing exactly what they disliked in an effort to IMPROVE your work or LEARN something from a different perspective. Not to belittle or argue that they are wrong. I found three of my best beta readers by reaching out to readers with well thought out, critical reviews of one of my books. Having smoke blown up your ass won’t make your books any better.

6. Lying about your personal health for financial gain is CRIMINAL. I don’t think I need to expound on this one.

7. Remember… EVERYTHING you put online is fair game. Even private chats and messages. You must go into every conversation under the assumption it will be screencaptured and shared. Plenty of celebrities bigger than you have been taken down this way. Don’t be stupid.

8. Unless it’s about chocolate, LGBT rights, or what you’re putting in your next book, no one needs to know your opinion. (use common sense here, people). Don’t trash the newest big
author, or mock someone’s cover design. It reflects upon you. Again, are we tweens or adults?

9. If you are traditionally published, you represent that company. They have every right to terminate their contract with you if you act like a raging lunatic online.

10. I’m sure I’ll think of more so I’ll leave this open to edit. ;)

READER BEHAVIOR

1. Read books.

2. Don’t pirate.

3. Refrain from personal attacks. (current situation and those like it exempted, but be thoughtful and try not to become like the person who victimized you) I’m talking about an author’s weight, lipstick, hairstyle… etc. Note I said “refrain.” You, as the reader, are free to say what you will, but I’d ask you keep in mind that authors are also human beings, and many of us are quite low on self-esteem. Don’t be a jerk if you don’t have to.

My sister has Narcissistic Personality Disorder and has spent decades gaslighting my entire family, casting me as the scapegoat for everything negative. I know how it feels to be manipulated and cast aside, over and over and over, and it sucks. It is my sincerest hope that someday, the victims of this serial narcissist/criminal can trust people again and see that not everyone is a total douchebag. I suffer from PTSD from 40yrs of gaslighting by my sister, and I’m certain you will/already do as well, even if you don’t realize it yet. To abuse living, breathing, FEELING human beings in their vulnerable moments sickens me to the core.

I am sorry I had NO idea this was happening until 6 days ago. I was “friends” on FB with SH, but that was it. I had minimal contact, never met, never read any SH books, and FB never showed me any of SH’s posts. Next time this happens, and unfortunately it will, I hope we as a community of authors and readers can use our critical thinking skills and support the victim(s) from the get go, not turn our backs and accuse them of lying without doing any research first.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who came forward and helped bring this criminal behavior to light. xoxo
Heather

ETA: I was bullied and stalked by another author on FB for 6-9 months. This author "followed" me around wherever I left a comment and picked a fight. It got so bad, readers I DIDN'T KNOW pm'd me to ask what his/her problem was. Well, first, that author is clearly a few twists short of a slinky, and second, that author posted derogatory comments about other authors in a private group we were in and knew I didn't like it. Fear of exposure made him/her go on the offensive instead of wait around for me to expose them and have to go on the defensive. No, I never exposed them, yes, I took LOTS of screenshots of the bad behavior just in case.

Sandra wrote: "As this author profile is not a Goodreads author, they were not able to make this change themselves, thus it was made by a GR librarian. Any GR librarian can view who made the change. Additionally, it is likely that this change was requested in the Librarian group. Please don't harass the librarians - they likely didn't know anything about this situation. "

Slow down--no one said anything (at least I didn't) about anything changing or about harassing librarians. I just pointed out that it's there and agree with what Sandra said about a potential long con, or about a safety net set up in advance because Alicia anticipated the possibility of things coming out and having to cover by throwing GF people under the bus same as with every other identity she's appropriated. If Alicia comes out as GF suddenly the "Santino" persona is above reproach and you're punching down if you question a GF person having a male and female identity, once again diverting from the blatant lie of everything else regardless of gender ID. It's something to be on the watch for as another step in this.

Is everyone seeing this? (sorry I know it's Riptide related but it's still important, positive community involvement)

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

Once you land...scroll up to Amelia Faulkner's facebook post

Amazonaute wrote: "Tamara (緑) wrote: "I'm getting more and more certain he is indeed testing the waters with every new apology, seeing what flies and what doesn't.

He deleted his first apology. Anyone got screencap..."

Yes! That's exactly what they are all doing. SH, his ex-squad, the Riptide ogresses..I wouldn't be surprised if their responses were orchestrated by a single PR person. In the meantime all evidence of their wrongdoing (and of their very existence) is being wiped from the internet so that a few months from now people who aren't currently following the situation will have no way of discovering what any of these people did.

Sakura wrote: " If Alicia comes out as GF suddenly the "Santino" persona is above reproach and you're punching down if you question a GF person having a male and female identity, once again diverting from the blatant lie of everything else regardless of gender ID. It's something to be on the watch for as another step in this. "

^^This.

@Heather - great post.

Heather wrote: "Speechless. I am speechless.
Or not, since I’m about to go on a long-winded rant. ;)

I am a DSP author (under a different pen name, link so you can see I use my real picture and am not pretending ..."

Brava!

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 they’re trying to say that Alicia start..."

It also admits zero wrong doing.

JenMcJ wrote: "Is everyone seeing this? (sorry I know it's Riptide related but it's still important, positive community involvement)

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph......"

What a fabulous post and initiative! Such generous offers from multiple professionals in the genre. Developmental & line editing of your book by KJ Charles? Wowser!

@Heather. Thanks, great post!

@Heather post #2014. Very informative and well thought out. 😊

Lucy wrote: "I would like to second what Angela said. We saw it from the beginning and he also shared a lot of details with everyone about his “roommates” child in various places, including groups here on goodreads (numerous people can vouch for that). There is another interesting thing that “he” seems to leave out regarding pictures of child/children but we have never posted that because it does involve child/children directly and that’s not right to do. He’s posted pictures of the inside of his own house numerous places as well. .."

Lucy, I didn't mean in any way to criticize or doubt you or Nikki!! I just wanted to point out that if people are concerned because they are worried about the child's welfare, be it from possible exposure or crazy as fuck parents, they should be allowed to ask questions. Of course, I understand that you can't and won't divulge all the information you have and IMO this proves, that there was no doxxing involved. You could have but you didn't.

But holy shit!! I didn't know that he shared all this online and now says otherwise. Honestly, I don't know why it still surprises me but wow! I think I saw one pic of him and a child once and they were playing video games but it's also possible, that I'm imagining things, lol! My memory isn't the best so I'm not sure about this.

Anne-Marie wrote: "What a fabulous post and initiative! Such generous offers from multiple professionals in the genre. Developmental & line editing of your book by KJ Charles? Wowser!
..."

You have to scroll up to Amelia Faulkners Facebook post to get the whole scope

Heather wrote: "Speechless. I am speechless.
Or not, since I’m about to go on a long-winded rant. ;)

I am a DSP author (under a different pen name, link so you can see I use my real picture and am not pretending ..."

Thank you, Heather (great name, BTW).

Even if some of the authors in SH's squad are very sorry, I don't read authors who behave the way that they have. Why would I spend my time on a book to have an author snark, harass, or bully me if I don't like it, or if I didn't like something that their "friend" did.

Josy wrote: "Lucy wrote: "I would like to second what Angela said. We saw it from the beginning and he also shared a lot of details with everyone about his “roommates” child in various places, including groups ..."

We understand people would ask since that was in the latest statement posted. This same persona garnered sympathy and in return it had people buying those “kids” gifts since “his” medical bills from chemo/radiation were so expensive. “He” exploited children that don’t exist, all because it’s a lie that got out of hand? I think it’s sad that they used their personal stuff as someone else so really the entire time they knew people had no clue it was them behind it all.

Josy wrote: "I also think it's a fair question to ask. Not that I don't believe Nikki and the others. I do 100%. But it should be allowed to ask if someone needs reassurance or clarification. "

Not to pick on you, but just because this came up and your comment is easy to reply to: I think we need to be really careful not to act like every time SH raises a new issue, the victims need to prove something. SH have proven themselves to be liars and the victims haven't. SH should have to prove their contentions, not throw out accusations and make everyone else prove they aren't true.

In this example, how do Nikki et al. prove they didn't doxx any children? You can't prove a negative. SH needs to prove it happened or we should all ignore them. IMHO.

What Charming said above. Yes.

At this point anything/everything SH posts online, my 1sts reaction is to ask for proof.

Really, you're married? Proof please.
Really, you were doxxed? Proof please.
Really, you're a bi guy writing and not his wife? Proof please.
etc.
No more words without proof. Not from SH anyways.

Charming wrote: "You can't prove a negative. SH needs to prove it happened or we should all ignore them. IMHO. "

This.

In light of some of the recent posts just a few words of advice for next time something like this happens. Because there will be a next time, even if not on this scale or with these particulars.

When you see authors hurling accusations about someone, don't jump on the bandwagon. Even if you trust, adore, that author. Independently verify, from original sources, as much as you can, before just believing. Even if sincere they still can be misleading as to actual facts, just because of their point of view, emotions, tendencies to exaggerate, speak in hyperbole, etc.

Same deal when you see accusations against an author, accusations an author is behaving badly toward or about readers.

And yes, ask questions. :D

Once you verify what is actually going on, and made up your own mind what you think of it, still don't go into people's spaces and attack them. Because first of all, IMO, that's wrong and bad itself. Secondly it can make it harder for others to see it as anything other than a bunch of people hurling crap at each other, and thirdly, it's not the most productive way to deal with these sorts of issues. It just muddies the waters. Additionally, when it comes to an author, it is never, ever in their best interest to have fans attacking people on their behalf. Whether they instigate it or not.

Just my 2 cents ;)

Charming wrote: "Josy wrote: "I also think it's a fair question to ask. Not that I don't believe Nikki and the others. I do 100%. But it should be allowed to ask if someone needs reassurance or clarification. "

No..."

Exactly.

Lucy wrote: "Josy wrote: "Line wrote: "TinaNicole ☠ Le Book Nikita ☠ wrote: "MizTia wrote: "Тамрико wrote: "IF SH is telling the truth and the kid was involved, that's scary. It should have never happened."

Lo..."


Thank you, Lucy. This is what I looking for. I asked b/c I’ve seen SH (along with inner circlers) make this claim several times now as well as seeing the BS lawsuit or attempted restraining order that Nikki posted so I wondered if there was a specific incident they were using/twisting or if they just pulled it out of thin air.

I don't like having to comment on the topic of children but I also can't keep quiet about this.

Since around 2012 I can say without a doubt that the only pictures and/or info about kids *I* have seen on the internet in regards to Santino Hassell, have come from Hassell themselves.

I remember the pictures on Facebook and on Instagram (that were sort of unselfies). I remember the video on Youtube about the "roomate's kid" on Hassell's old YT handle (there's Sonny Hassell and Santino Hassell). That video showed the full face of a child and a view of what looked like a child's playroom or bedroom. I also remember the stories about the pre-teen child who kept asking for permission to read Hassell's books, that was queer, vegan and was bullied at summer camp. I remember the stories about the kid that wanted to be like Nate Diaz and fight all the bullies. I remember the stories about having to buy school supplies for the kids and no money to do so. All of that info I read and saw straight from Santino Hassell.

Framing the exposure of Hassell's abuse as doxxing is what they are masters at: words.

One only has to take the time to lurk around Twitter for a bit to find all the threads, talks and confirmations of people who sent gifts and well wishes and encouragement for those "children" (Hassell now says it's only the one, I think?). That should tell you something about how Hassell operates.