Monday, August 1, 2011

Could This Happen To You?

The internet has covered this horror story for several days. Go here to read about the scam, if you have been under a rock, in your writing cave or off the internet for a week or so.

Self-published YA author, Aaronni, was supposedly offered representation by Writers House Jodi Reamer. And with lightning speed the author was also offered a book deal with Razorbill and one with Harper Teen.

As I learned about the scam and read other posts dealing with this horror, I wondered if this could happen to me. I consider myself *experienced* in our world. I believe I would catch the obvious. And I know I would never announce the agent deal until after the contract was signed. A caution flag would be seen in my minds eye if an agent told me she got a seventy-five percent commission. More warnings would color my eyes if the agent told me she had gotten  a book deal that fast. With an exorbitant advance offer, I believe I would become keenly aware that all was not as it appeared. Or would I?

I waited to write this post until I could have time to think about it. This author has been through enough. But I wondered...would thrill take over and could I possibly lose all sense of *experience*? Would elation color the red flags green? Could this happen to me?

The person that carried out this hoax should be ashamed of him/herself. And would another writer actually do this to one of their own? Their own kind??

I've learned a lot in this business and I still have lots to learn. But kindness, decency, caring for all life makes me feel sick at my stomach after reading about this hoax.

Can we learn from this? Dang right we can! Pay attention to the warning signs. Be diligent. We're in this for the long haul. Nothing this great ever happens that fast. You do not pick up an agent and a book deal in the same week.

Could this happen to me? Maybe. Could it happen to you?

I know I've been missing in action lately. Sorry. My Christopher is having a health issue. He needs your prayers. And so do I. <3

46 comments:

  1. Apparently I do live under a rock. What a crazy story! We can learn a lot from this.
    I'll be thinking of you and sending Christopher healing thoughts. Hope everything is okay my friend...

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  3. Gah! I hadn't heard this either. How incredibly sad! As if being a writer wasn't frustrating and hard enough. I don't know what gets into people...

    Prayers for Christopher; I hope he can work through this health issue! Nice to find your blog from Twitter today--have a nice Monday

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  4. There will always be some people who can't help themselves. It's awful to hear these things and I was just blessed to have found out before anything had happened to me. It's true, one can never be too careful!

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  5. I hadn't heard of this. How sad for the author. But if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

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  6. *picks up huge rock and pulls Melissa up* hehe

    Bad story, huh?

    Everything isn't okay right now. I'm scared. (((HUGS)))

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  7. Carol, so nice to know you. It is a sad story. My heart goes out to the author. :(

    I so appreciate your prayers for my Christopher. Thank you, thank you.

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  8. Jen, one can NEVER be too careful. And ALWAYS, always check things out. :-)

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  9. E.R., wise words, wise words! If something seems too good to be true it MUST be!

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  10. Wow! I think it is very easy to get caught up in the moment because we want a book deal, but you have to just take a deep breathe and look at the fine print.

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  11. Hi, Robyn! I just discovered your blog through WS4U and Twitter, I didn't know about this scam but it's great to know about it and be more on guard. I feel so sorry for that author!

    It's great to meet you and I'm glad to have found your blog. So sorry about your son, I am sending good wishes your way. Take care!

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  12. I hadn't heard about this either - I guess a lot of us writers live under rocks! That poor author! I can't believe anyone would be so heartless.

    Sending good thoughts for Christopher. I hope everything works out OK.

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  13. Just came back to say that I wishing all good things for your son!
    Take care.

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  14. My, my, my, feeling sorry for the scammed writer. Good heads up post.

    ((Hugs)) to Christopher, ((hugs)) to you!

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  15. I have never understood people who get kicks out of hurting others. Nuff said.
    As for you and Christopher, lots of love and hugs coming your way.

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  16. hi miss robyn! for sure i got you and christopher in my prayers and im sending sunshiny thought all the way to your house. for that scam stuff it get me sad that there people that could wanna hurt other people. its good you posted this so all our cool writer friends could know.
    ...big hugs from lenny

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  17. I didn't know that this writer got scammed, but I'm not surprised. It's so easy to prey upon someone's dream. We all have that something that a con can use to scam us. No matter what the prize, no matter how badly we want it, we still need to remember the saying: If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true. So sorry about your son. Sending you prayers and layered chocolate cake topped with love and ice cream.

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  18. I first heard of this from Nathan Bransford's blog. Oy...it's awful. I can't believe someone did that to an innocent writer.

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  19. Julie, so nice to know you. Your doggie book is hilarious. I think I shall think of that and laugh and laugh and the family will wonder what is going on. :-)

    Thanks so much for the good wishes for my precious angel.

    That scam was awful, wasn't it? I think it couldn't happen to me and then I think it could.

    Have a great evening.

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  20. Choices,

    That scam was rotten mixed with rotten. And nothing is ever free and stuff don't come easy. We have to remember that. *lovin' my grammar*

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  21. Magnolia, scammers are everywhere, aren't they? So sad. Why can't people be nice? UGH!

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  22. Susanna,

    It was heartless! Horrible. Imagine how she felt. But when she realized that it was a scam I think she felt like she should have known. But how many of us would make that same mistake?

    Thank you for your thoughts about my son. I'm frightened. God is with us.

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  23. Thanks Pat! We need those hugs and all that love. It do feel good!

    As for the hoax. Yep. Nuff said. (((hugs)))

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  24. Super Lenny,

    Loved your comment. Christopher and I feel those sunshiny hugs all the way in North Carolina.

    I wish I knew why some people wanna be so mean. In a perfect world, everyone loves everyone. And people are as awesome as you. (((hugs))) and loves. <3

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  25. Mary,

    We do all have something that a con man or woman could use to scam us with. Something we want badly enough. And this poor writer found that out. My heart goes out to her. It could have been me.

    The chocolate cake was simply delicious. And the topping was the best ever. :-)

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  26. Michael, it is awful and that poor writer will be less trusting, though that's probably a good thing in this world. :-)

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  27. Robyn--thanks for blogging on this mean thing some thoughtless individual did...evidently they don't know what is like to have a dream! Poor gal! This story definately validates Mary's thoughts on "if it's too good to be true."
    And, I am so sorry to hear about your son. Prayers to you both. I have missed you!

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  28. So awful! And as you know, I have been off the internet for quite a while, and maybe under a rock too :). I visited you on facebook and saw this post, so of course I had to come by and read it. It makes me sick! Thanks for sharing. When I'm ready to query again, I'll keep this in mind. Miss you so much, girl! We'll be in touch soon.

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  29. Hi Robyn,
    I popped over here from Emily's blog comments. I just heard about this story today and am flabbergasted at how cruel this hoax was. I wondered the same thing, whether I'd be so caught up in the Cinderella offer that I'd fall for it. I hope not, but you never know. Even with all the red flags, she probably tried to rationalize it all and wanted to believe it was real. Terrible.

    I'll pray for your son. Take care.

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  30. I hadn't heard of this. How terrible. Thanks for passing on the warning.
    Edge of Your Seat Romance

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  31. Praying for you and Christopher, Robyn.

    Humanity can be so cruel at times. I can't imagine anyone getting kicks out doing something like that, but obviously they do. So sad! And heartbreaking!

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  32. I had not heard of this story. Thanks for alerting me to it. I don't know why people do such things.

    My prayers for you and Christopher.

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  33. What an absolutely disgusting scam. I understand scams where they get people's money (understand but don't agree) but what is the motivation to offer someone a book deal? It makes no sense. How awful to have her hopes raised and subsequently dashed like that. I hope this knock hasn't been too detrimental to her.

    And Robyn, hope all is well with your son. Thinking of you and sending an e-hug from the UK. :)

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  34. Hello Robyn! Thanks for stopping by my blog and joining. Looks like you and I have a lot in common! It's so nice to meet you. I will continue to pray for Christopher. Take care.

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  35. Hadn't heard about this scam! How horrible! I have to say that I've been sent enough scammy-sounding (my new word!) emails that I always run things by my husband to get his take on them! Know that I'm praying for Christopher and your family! Hugs and blessings!

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  37. I'm disgusted that this happened to the author.

    I think this might have happened to me years ago, with my eagerness and desperation (after so many rejections). But over time I did become more guarded and more invested in doing research.

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  38. You know you and Christopher are in my prayers.... (hug)

    I saw this article on another site last week. I'm sad that someone would play with someone's emotions like this. It is really important to investigate someone before, during and after your query them. Keeping notes is key.

    I hope Aaronni finds the right agent and makes a personal connection with him or her. If I get an offer from an agent, I think I would fly, to where ever, and meet them in person. (just to be safe)

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  39. I've been M.I.A myself but only for good reasons.
    I'm very sorry to hear about Chris and I'll be thinking about and praying for both of you.

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  40. Apparently I have been living under a rock, for this is the first I've heard of it. Thanks for filling me in, amigo. Will keep you and Christopher in my prayers.
    Much love and hugs,
    Karen

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  41. Thanks for sharing that story. I missed that one. Prayers to Christopher and to you.

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  42. I've been thinking about you and Christopher. I hope all is well.

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  43. I heard about this while I was away. So mean. Talk about taking advantage of a vulnerable person. We writers are a vulnerable bunch!

    I'm glad Christopher is doing better. Don't worry about being MIA.

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  44. HI, Robyn,

    I guess I've been under a rock... I hadn't heard and I am APPALLED!

    Thanks for sharing this with us.

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  45. Wow, scary! I also hadn't heard about this, but I often wonder if I will be able to do what is best when the time comes or if I will be too eager and miss something important. Like you, I would hope I would see if something was too good to be true.

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