tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post8647331630701848554..comments2023-07-22T04:51:00.772-07:00Comments on Jennifer Represents...: Semi-rant about Internet Safety, Personal Space Bubbles, etc.Literaticathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-57369110237805308942012-09-24T14:16:24.342-07:002012-09-24T14:16:24.342-07:00It is hard to get a rejection letter, but there ar...It is hard to get a rejection letter, but there are so many industries where people are going through the same things writers are. Singers, songwriters, actors are just a few and in this economy, the word no is heard a lot. Thick skin is needed. I agree this person is a criminal and should be treated as such. He just happens to be a criminal who is a writer. <br /><br />While some of you wonder how you can be found, it is not hard. It is scary, but in reality if someone wants to find you, they will. And that goes for anyone. Not just people who deal with the public. While I keep a P.O. Box for my book website, I also have a full time job. Every company has their own websites with addresses, etc. So you're out there with your bio, picture and right where someone can find you. Everyone gets warned about Facebook and Twitter, but I think poor decisions about what you say and how you represent your brand is what I am more personally worried about. I've found websites without telephone numbers and while it's frustrating if you really need to speak with someone, you can Google and find an address and telephone number through rating companies and local address and map companies. We need to protect ourselves and our families as much as we can. Unfortunately, there is always going to be people who'll try to hurt us.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-71907910252119671242012-09-23T07:53:44.812-07:002012-09-23T07:53:44.812-07:00"Criminal" is a better word. I wrote an..."Criminal" is a better word. I wrote an article about this at The Indie Times. http://www.theindietimes.com/2012/09/take-rejection-well/neal wootenhttp://www.nealwooten.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-61239475133549350512012-09-16T07:58:35.184-07:002012-09-16T07:58:35.184-07:00I wonder if at any point that guy thought 'dam...I wonder if at any point that guy thought 'damn, I'm really going to have a hard time getting an agent now...'.<br /><br />Glad Pam is ok.Marsha Sigmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095210839900479297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-1209715291763399912012-09-15T11:37:21.743-07:002012-09-15T11:37:21.743-07:00Oh my God, that story is really freaking me out! I...Oh my God, that story is really freaking me out! I'm so sorry for Pam, that must have been incredibly traumatizing.<br /><br />How are these people getting this personal home address information? That's what boggles my mind. I've never seen any agent put that kind of information online so I'm assuming it must be hackers, but I still don't understand how they're doing that. It's terrifying, and the fact that people have showed up on your doorstep raises all the hairs on the back of my neck.Annalise Greenhttp://annalisegreen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-65589581784693102982012-09-15T11:36:51.427-07:002012-09-15T11:36:51.427-07:00I still can't believe someone did that. I'...I still can't believe someone did that. I've heard stories of authors sliding pages under the doors in bathroom stalls, and stuff like that, but this, literally made me want to find the guy and punch him in the face and say YOU'RE GIVING AUTHORS A BAD NAME! His actions ARE crazy. <br /><br />Please protect yourself, and be safe. I love all you agents (even when you reject me). You guys offer so much knowledge, and giveaways, and you're so cool at conferences. I'm so glad Pam was okay!Lynn(e) Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13111991752818662608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-31061324867397676842012-09-15T10:32:42.916-07:002012-09-15T10:32:42.916-07:00First of all I am so dismayed by what happened to ...First of all I am so dismayed by what happened to Pam. I'm so very glad she's (mostly) okay.<br /><br />My general feeling about life on the Internet has always been that crazy people are crazy people. They can find you online or they can follow you home from the grocery store. I don't see any extra danger in living online.LilySeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812905445813679050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-74074405704666454572012-09-14T19:48:46.791-07:002012-09-14T19:48:46.791-07:00Social media bothers me because it's constantl...Social media bothers me because it's constantly defaulted to show waaaaay too much about you on line to random strangers. I think reasonable caution is important (although I know that all kinds of creepy info is out there, even if YOU aren't the person who put it out there.) So...be careful about what you post, but also get a dog with big teeth, like you have? <br /><br />I'm sorry to hear about the attack--I was rather horrified when I heard about it. I hope she's able to feel safe again soon.Rose Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10752073931486321348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-60962624524693900212012-09-14T16:34:43.318-07:002012-09-14T16:34:43.318-07:00It's a sad fact that some people are mentally ...It's a sad fact that some people are mentally ill. Some mentally ill people write books. Some think their books should be fawned over.<br />And some people just can't take NO for an answer. This overused cliché takes on a new meaning with this awful incident.<br />Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-15509025067340622402012-09-14T15:27:00.480-07:002012-09-14T15:27:00.480-07:00This is part of the reason why I prefer a penname ...This is part of the reason why I prefer a penname (or two). Sure, the super-duper-hacker-stalker can probably figure out who you really are and find you, but at least it's not just all right there on peoplefinder.com or whatever. You just never know what you random thing you write about or tweet about or what decision you make might end up flipping someone's crazy switch.<br /><br />Be strong. Be smart. Be safe. And/or own a killer dog.Fiona Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12988652479881963096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-13891526474777735152012-09-14T15:21:58.176-07:002012-09-14T15:21:58.176-07:00Her dog biting the attacker gives me comfort, and ...Her dog biting the attacker gives me comfort, and makes me appreciate my dogs more, even if one of them just peed in the front hall.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476003071479341936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-29005816219295499222012-09-14T15:17:32.991-07:002012-09-14T15:17:32.991-07:00A change in perception is definitely necessary. Ag...A change in perception is definitely necessary. Agents aren't our besties, our all-purpose resources, or our "gateways" to fortune and fame. They are professionals doing their job and they need to be treated as such.<br /><br />This scenario was obviously a severe one, but the sense of entitlement among a lot of aspiring authors needs to be continually addressed. I'm so glad Pam is okay, and we can all definitely benefit from being aware of our surroundings, how much we post and where, but none of this is her fault. It's the fault of the person who *chose* to stalk and attack her. And that behavior needs to stop on the stalker's end, just like angry email responses need to stop on the writer's end.<br /><br />You guys are professionals. We need to be professionals too.<br /><br />Great post!Chelsea Pitcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16301150715189103602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-37786336312134717582012-09-14T15:16:53.588-07:002012-09-14T15:16:53.588-07:00I'm so glad she's okay. When I first read...I'm so glad she's okay. When I first read the twitters on what happened, I was concerned for her safety. Now, I'm not really anyone but I once had someone email a letter asking for my opinion on this one scene. This person knew I was an author. I still remember the sick feeling in my stomach as I read the details on how to kidnap a child around my son's age. Even the police said it was creepy as this person described my son in detail. I don't usually post any info on him and after this experience I try not to give any info on him.<br /><br />Pam's experience really is scary. And you are so right. The guy who did this is a criminal. <br /><br />I'm so glad she's okay and kuddo to her dog who protected her.Kim Baccelliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05304806976633973536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-29069947438364483612012-09-14T15:16:01.152-07:002012-09-14T15:16:01.152-07:00Agree! Let's all just be nice to each other, o...Agree! Let's all just be nice to each other, ok? Niceness is what makes the world go round.S. J. Pajonashttp://www.flavors.me/spajonasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-11049499593750143892012-09-14T13:19:26.945-07:002012-09-14T13:19:26.945-07:00Yes, yes, ma'am. Threw a few tips about social...Yes, yes, ma'am. Threw a few tips about social media safety on my blog today, especially about domain names leading to your home address--a whole lot of people don't know about that one.<br /><br />The bigger issue is HOLY COW calling this guy a rejected author. It is to laugh. He's a felon. (Allegedly.) <br /><br />We take reasonable precautions, we draw boundaries, then we live. I'm not going to cut myself off from the ability to interact with Laurie Halse Anderson, David Lubar, Steven Malk, and surprisingly, Deepak Chopra. All of whom I've talked with on Twitter.<br /><br />Also The Original Old Spice Guy, but we won't go there. *sigh*<br /><br />I love how resilient Pam has been about this, and how pragmatic you are. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-58511129557800591552012-09-14T13:06:16.573-07:002012-09-14T13:06:16.573-07:00Truly frightening. So glad she contacted the polic...Truly frightening. So glad she contacted the police, and so glad they didn't assume it was random.<br /><br />I really like the distinctions you made here -- this isn't a problem with authors, it's a problem with unbalanced individuals. And it didn't happen because she rejected him - it's because of the choice HE made. Khanadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705064700657411259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-39535302297910824172012-09-14T12:25:44.501-07:002012-09-14T12:25:44.501-07:00I feel so very sorry for this agent. I wish the so...I feel so very sorry for this agent. I wish the solution was for everyone to just be nice, but some people don't need much to set them off, whether you're nice or not. Sometimes being nice is seen as an invitation for people to be creepier and cross the line. I'm not saying everyone should be cold and mean, but it's important to be professional and set boundaries. It is also important to respect other people's boundaries and try not to take it as a personal affront.<br /><br />I had a stalker in college (this was before 4square) who tried to break into my house (my dog was also the hero), and it was the scariest day of my life. I think any agent--or any person for that matter--who receives a death threat or encounters behavior that leaves a bad feeling in the pit of their stomach, should report it to the police. Most of all, I hope Pam realizes this was not her fault. B.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767654810069240472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-47906811983478806502012-09-14T12:20:49.003-07:002012-09-14T12:20:49.003-07:00Most immediately, thank goodness Pam is fine. It c...Most immediately, thank goodness Pam is fine. It certainly is a grim reminder of the dangers of living too openly online. But I especially love your call for all of us to be as nice as we can be to one another, I agree.Julia Munroe Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09798422149542791454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-13940446227061149412012-09-14T12:13:43.232-07:002012-09-14T12:13:43.232-07:00What happened to Ms. van Hylckama is terrible.
I&...What happened to Ms. van Hylckama is terrible.<br /><br />I've wondered about "living your life out online" before -- on one hand, it's great to have publicity, and build relationship circles that could help in later book promotions, etc., but... it's also dangerous! One has to wonder, which do you choose -- the easier route to having a platform, or the safer one of being relatively unknown?Charityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15928012771461206094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-15387163313536925732012-09-14T11:47:30.849-07:002012-09-14T11:47:30.849-07:00I was a small gift shop owner in a renovated downt...I was a small gift shop owner in a renovated downtown area. Not far from my shop was an old hotel that housed many who were, unfortunately, mentally ill. I dealt with them daily. Most were on their meds and were okay. But once in a while, someone came in, off their meds, sometimes hallucinating (it was obvious), and it was scary as hell. The point I'm making, though it isn't a politically correct notion, is that there isn't a place for those who are truly dangerous and mentally unstable to go. Being rejected was just a catalyst for this “author” guy to "go off." Normal people (and I use the term loosely) do NOT stalk other people, and as writers, do NOT go off the deep end because of a rejection.--Sharon DavidsonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-46888176552071483692012-09-14T11:44:44.765-07:002012-09-14T11:44:44.765-07:00This was a great post and I absolutely agree! This...This was a great post and I absolutely agree! This was so horrible, but there just wasn't something right with this man. I think most of the authors/writers I know would NEVER EVER think of doing something like this!<br /><br />Sometimes I do wonder where common sense goes, though... <br /><br />LOVED this: "ALL OF US need to be considerate about personal space bubbles -- just as you wouldn't ask a stranger to examine you in line at the supermarket if you found out he was a gynecologist, don't creep around a literary agents house and wait for her to go outside to water the plants so you can ask her questions about your work. There's a time and a place. Don't be a creep."<br /><br />It's so true. I have my doctor's cell phone because we've become friends, but I refuse to harass her when I have questions! I should say also this is one of those reasons I don't give my students my cell phone either.<br /><br />Thanks for posting this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-90576448288879079112012-09-14T11:31:26.660-07:002012-09-14T11:31:26.660-07:00Someone broke into my house and all my dog did was...Someone broke into my house and all my dog did was pee on the floor. (Okay, the someone was my friend using the spare key to leave me cookies on my birthday, but still . . .)Maranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-36693909996429140392012-09-14T11:16:50.427-07:002012-09-14T11:16:50.427-07:00Thank you, thank you! I've been wound up all m...Thank you, thank you! I've been wound up all morning about how he, as an "author," is being compared to the rest us. What really gets to me are the tweets that say, generally, "Authors! Don't attack agents!" Um, we don't! *sigh* Anyway, I'm so glad its not just me. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671442385457593617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-62192813507167788682012-09-14T11:15:59.329-07:002012-09-14T11:15:59.329-07:00I am very careful not to mix business and pleasure...I am very careful not to mix business and pleasure. When I was on the lookout for an agent, I never, NEVER pitched my book to them outside of proper pitching channels (e.g., query), even though I met them in various places. <br />Pam is a professional who continued business as usual even right after this incident. I'm glad they caught the crazy who assaulted my agent! Vivi B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05054647527562570624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-21896764124798118372012-09-14T11:11:18.965-07:002012-09-14T11:11:18.965-07:00This is truly horrifying. Thoughts and prayers to ...This is truly horrifying. Thoughts and prayers to Pam.<br /><br />But it does open a conversation about how much we know about the digital footprints we leave behind every single time we're online. Whether just logging into a network (personal or public) and interacting with others online, there is a trace left behind. And anyone can pick up that trace and follow it. Scary. <br /><br />I may be researching this very topic for my current WIP and have become rather paranoid. I'm making some changes ASAP. Toninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-62631962830213033932012-09-14T11:10:47.478-07:002012-09-14T11:10:47.478-07:00You and a few other agents spoke about this at Lea...You and a few other agents spoke about this at LeakyCon and that was the first time I realized just how much crap you guys have to put up with! It's scary stuff. I'm glad she's okay and hope nothing like this happens again.Ashley Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02545698446086690644noreply@blogger.com