Attack of the Rabid Cassie Edwards Fangirl!

A funny thing happened to me on MySpace today…and I’m scared.  Well, okay, more amused than scared…actually, more rolling on the floor gasping for breath as I mop the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard, than amused.  I was minding my own business, taking a break from writing and I found a couple of notices from MySpace that I had a new friend request and a new message from someone named *Jojo*.  *Jojo*?  Never heard of her, but the title of her message gave me a clue as to how she felt about me: “Your (sic) a bitch.”

First thing I did was roll my eyes at the “your”.  I mean, come on, my second graders know better than that.  Strike that, I don’t want to lower myself to her level and I really don’t want to get a reputation as an “ABB” (Author Behaving Badly), although she apparently doesn’t have anything against being labeled a RBB (Reader Behaving Badly). 

So, what did she have to say?  Well, I’ll let you read it for yourself–while I go get another tissue for all these tears I’m shedding:

Ok, look. Just because you are an “author” which, by the way, I have NEVER heard of you before today. I only came across your name today because I was looking for Cassie Edwards online and happened to come across your little tangent. Seems to me, you are a little jealous that you are not selling as many books as Ms. Edwards. I happen to love her books, and no I do not get my history lessons from her. I do not read them for the history, I read them because they are fascinating stories. I have probably read every one of her books. And will probably NEVER read one of yours. Cassie Edwards is a name that is in many homes across the United States, yours, like I said, I have NEVER heard of.So, just a little advice from an AVID Cassie Edwards reader, get off your high horse and get a life. Stop bitching about other people’s work and work on getting yours known!So, I’m not entitled to my opinion, huh?  Well, sorry, but if you’re a fan of Cassie Edwards, you have to take the bad with the good–and there’s a lot more bad than good to be said about Ms. Edwards these days.  She’s a proven plagiarist and in my book, you can’t sink much lower than that.  I’ve never read any of her books, and never will, because I have no desire to read someone who not only steals words instead of writing her own, but manages to insult Native Americans every time she puts out a book and titles it “Savage” something or other.

 

As far as you never having heard of me, well, no surprise there, I haven’t been around anywhere near as long as Ms. Edwards.  But I promise you, if you ever do “hear” of me, it won’t be because I stole from other authors to make my name.  I may write romance, as does Ms. Edwards, but that’s about the only thing I have in common with her.

And really, do you mind if I ask what you hoped to gain by sending me such a nasty message?  I don’t know for sure, but if I were in Ms. Edwards’ shoes, I’d be cringing at this kind of meangirl attitude from my fans.  Not that I haven’t seen this kind of behavior before, I have, on SB/TB, DA, and numerous other romance blogs (I’ll include some helpful links for you at the bottom of this post), but I have to tell you, you’re not helping her case any when you pull stunts like this.  In fact, you’re only making her look worse in the eyes of romance readers everywhere.  Not to mention, degrading the genre and everyone associated with it.

Oh, by the way, the new friend request came from Al Cole, a DJ/musician/author in Boston–Go Red Sox!–who has the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen.  Seriously gorgeous!  I might have to use those eyes in my next book.  He also has a great voice and his music ain’t too bad either.  His tagline: “May your heart be inspired to love.”  Maybe you should take a look at his page, read the excerpts from his new book, Romance for Women, and listen to his music–it just might mellow you out a bit.  Or just stare into those sexy blue eyes and dream for a while…

Or maybe not.  Anyway, here are those links:

Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/.  There are numerous posts there, just type ”Cassie Edwards” in the search engine, or you can start with the file in the upper right-hand corner.  Fair warning though, it paints a pretty repulsive picture.

Dear Author: http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/.  Again, type ”Cassie Edwards” in the search engine and you’ll find numerous posts dealing with what she did.

And if that’s not enough to convince you…well, I don’t have any idea what would. 

One more thing, I didn’t report you to MySpace this time, but I’m not making any promises if you do this again.  You’re not welcome in my world so…

Go.  Away.

Jumping in…

Lots of things going on in my world the last few days and I don’t have a clue where to start talking, er, writing about it.  I guess I should just close my eyes, hold my nose and jump right in.

First–and most exciting!–I have a release date on my book.  August 16th!  Woo-hoo!  Adding to the thrill of that is the fact that the 16th is one week to the day after my niece’s wedding.  Ooooh, August is going to be so hot!  Well, okay, August is always hot in the southeast, but this year there’s going to be a lot of Snoopy dances going on and that’s likely to ratchet up the heat a couple of notches, at least in my world!

Second, there’s news of another e-publisher who seems to be showing signs of going down.  Not saying it’s so, but from all I’ve read over the last couple of days, New Concepts Publishing is acting a lot like Twilight Fantasies acted right before they closed up shop and slinked away into the night.  According to several of their authors, they’re not answering emails, not addressing problems raised by the authors on the authors’ loop, giving preferential treatment to the books written by the owners of the company, not sending books out for reviews, not promoting, etc., etc., etc.  I feel sorry for their authors, because I know how it feels to be treated like that and I’m hoping for the best, but you know me, expecting the worst.  I hope, whatever happens, they at least have the decency to stand up and take responsibility for their actions and not just close up shop, leaving their authors hanging like Twilight did.  

Third, Josh Beckett is injured–oh noes!–and probably won’t make the flight to Japan for the games the Red Sox are scheduled to play there next week.  First Schilling, then Beckett.  This is so not good, but I’m trying to look at it as a blessing in disguise.  I wasn’t too thrilled about the team flying all that way just to play a couple of games then turning around and flying all that way back again just days before the season starts.  And maybe, if this back injury keeps Beckett from making that long flight, he’ll be ready for the season opener here at home–at least I hope so!

Fourth, I’ve been working on updating my website now that I have a release date and I have to tell you, that’s a lot of work!  I’ve got four books releasing this year and I’m trying to get all the info on them straightened out and posted.  Arrgh!  Looks like I need to morph back into a teacher and make detailed plans for every minute of every hour of every day.  I hate that!  But my website looks really good, even if I do say so myself!

Fifth, I caught a post on AOL MLB Fanhouse the other day about Roger Clemens that sent me off into gales of laughter.  It seems the Huntsville Stars, a minor league team in Alabama, have come up with a new logo for their team which includes a rocket.  So, what did they do?  Yep, they offered ”Rocket” Clemens a job as their back-up mascot.  He won’t make the millions of dollars he’s used to and thinks he’s worth, but it’s not a bad salary–$25 a game.  IMO, more than he’s worth.  Especially since he’ll only have to work on the days their primary mascot, Homer the Polecat, can’t work.  Here’s the link if you want to read the post.  Warning: if you have a drink in your hands, put it down and swallow whatever’s in your mouth before you read!

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/06/roger-clemens-gets-a-job-offer/

Ya’ think he’ll take it?  Doubtful, given his arrogance.  Maybe they should offer him the position of Homer the Polecat–much more fitting, to my way of thinking.  He wouldn’t even have to wear a costume, just a sweatshirt with the name Homer on it.  I think most of the fans, being from the south, will get it.

Sixth, I spent all day Saturday, working on the dedication and acknowledgements page for my book.  The dedication was easy since it’s been in my heart for a long time now, but the acknowledgement page–ack!  Hard!  Well, maybe not hard, but definitely boring.  To avoid even the merest whiff of the “Cassie Edwards thing”, I cited the books and Internet pages I used for my research.  I also added a special thank you to the Lone Wolf site because, hey, they taught me the most important thing of all…

I’m a Twinkie!*  That still makes me smile! 

* http://caitlynhunter.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/im-a-twinkie/