Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Insult to Injury

In case you haven't seen, here is a screen shot of what ripped my heart out this week. The blurb is word for word the same as mine for the first edition of The Telling. This person did not change the book title, blurb, or anything else but author's name and the cover.


To add insult to injury, when readers left reviews stating that the book was mine, this rebuttal was posted:


So you see, not only was my work stolen, I was accused of being the thief! This comment has since been deleted, either by one who wrote it or by Amazon, I can't tell which. 

My personal philosophy does not allow anger, and to be honest, I feel sorry for this person who lacked faith in himself so badly that he took others' work instead of creating his own. He's in a ton of trouble, and what did he gain from his efforts?

I have several more screenshots, how he used my copyright page and paraphrased my dedication, as he did J.P Barnaby's, taking her Aaron and calling it Shane. 

People can be awful at times, but the love and support I've received has shown me that folks can be amazing, too. Thank y'all.  

And yes, this book was written about an actual person--me. That's why it was too personal to sell and I gave it away. I poured my soul out in The Telling, and through the writing found my way back from a lost path. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. No one can take that from me. 

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19 comments:

  1. kayteeJuly 16, 2013 at 8:43 PM

    I know it is small consolation, but you have a number of supporters who have posted scathing comments on Mr. Wagner's page on Amazon calling him out for his thievery. You have our support Eden.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ChrisJuly 16, 2013 at 8:44 PM

    Unfortunately, there are always people like that, who seek to profit from the labors of others and then feel so entitled that they can't accept responsibility for their actions - it's just not their fault.

    I'm glad people figured out what was going on relatively quickly, so that the situation can be resolved and you can go on with your life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eden WintersJuly 17, 2013 at 2:50 AM

      I still find it strange that someone would take my best-known work. Then again, he may have just seen that it was free and figured no one would care.

      Delete
    2. ChrisJuly 17, 2013 at 5:22 AM

      Dear Author has picked up the story:

      http://dearauthor.com/news/wednesday-news-fraudster-uses-self-publishing-platform-to-sell-plagiarised-books-penn-student-authors-a-rebuttal-to-the-nyt-and-some-facts-and-musings-on-rowlings-secret-indentity/

      Delete
    3. Eden WintersJuly 17, 2013 at 5:11 PM

      Thanks, Chris. Hugs.

      Delete
  3. Tali SpencerJuly 17, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    I think you're right that people see something offered for free and think no one cares. :( Our society is so fixated on money it's crazy. So he sees a way to lift a book to make a buck. What a prince.

    That he actually tried to concoct some kind of defense is laughable. No agent would ever suggest putting a work up for free. Thank goodness people caught onto this idiot so quickly. And the publicity might actually prompt some action this time. Amazon and other sellers of book really need to start checking for plagiarism. If colleges can do it, why not businesses who make money off intellectual property? Surely they have some responsibility to make sure they're not offering stolen goods?

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    Replies
    1. Eden WintersJuly 17, 2013 at 5:14 PM

      Someone also pointed out the typos in the "editor's" post. I'm not sure what will happen, but the other three stolen books were through publishers, I believe. I'm sure the publishers have legal teams to handle this sort of thing.

      Delete
  4. toplszJuly 17, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    I am blown away by this. I am sorry you have to experience it. I hope Amazon keeps you posted. I recently read a blog story from one of the artists at Dreamspinner press about someone blatantly copying his art work (and others) and selling it on Ebay. I guess the moral gene was left out of these people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eden WintersJuly 18, 2013 at 2:14 AM

      Yes, I remember seeing that about Paul Richmond's work. How horrible that someone just helped themselves to his brilliant work. (I have a Paul Richmond "Sanctuary" print on my wall. Love it!)

      I've always been fascinated by the way people's minds work, and how some folks are honest and others aren't or how some feel remorse while others seem not have the slightest twinge.

      I checked this morning and the listing is still there, but it serves as evidence I suppose.

      Delete
  5. Eden WintersJuly 18, 2013 at 2:13 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. KT GrantJuly 21, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    Eden, I post about this on my blog today. http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/2013/07/another-case-of-plagiarism-wtfckery.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eden WintersJuly 21, 2013 at 12:58 PM

      Thank you so much for spreading the word. I hope all authors reading will rush out immediately and register all their books with the copyright office if they haven't already.

      In an Amazon forum Mr. Wagner stated that he contacted all authors involved and explained what happened (his ghostwriter did it!), but I haven't heard from him. I also wonder how he'd explain the things his editor said. His listing for The Telling is still up at Amazon, though marked as unavailable. My takedown requests to Amazon haven't been heeded.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousJuly 21, 2013 at 5:26 PM

    Hi Eden, I truly do not understand why Amazon took down all the books he stole, but yours. Yeah, sure his ghostwriter did it. Forgive me for being cynical and not buying it :(. So sorry it happened to you.

    Sirius

    ReplyDelete
  8. Eden WintersJuly 21, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    Thanks, Sirius. At this point I'll just say to leave it there for evidence. There's about a dozen comments on the post showing support for me, which is nice. People can be awful at times (like this guy), but others are so amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJuly 23, 2013 at 5:37 PM

    *hugs* I cannot believe the nerve of some people.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Eden WintersJuly 23, 2013 at 5:46 PM

    I'm still in shock. *Hugs* How've you been, Eyre?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM

      I'm okay. The summer has been a bit stressful, but all in all, it could be worse. :)

      Delete
    2. Eden WintersJuly 24, 2013 at 4:40 PM

      Hugs. And it being so darned hot with daily storms doesn't help...

      Delete

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