It has come to our attention that some of our readers are wondering why we haven’t posted much in the last few weeks. The reason is because now that Goodreads management has finally admitted that the site has a problem with bullying and has attempted to address this problem and correct it, our mission here at STGRB is accomplished. The fact is that the bullies have lost their “holy” war. So, we won’t be blogging about them that much anymore. We see no need. They have been relegated to petty insignificance by the Goodreads management team and by the vast majority of Goodreads users. In other words, they have lost their power and they won’t be getting it back.
The only regret we have is the fact that it took so long for Goodreads to acknowledge the abuse on their site and do something about it. It should have been corrected years ago. Our sympathies extend to those who were victims of the abuse and had no recourse or help at the time of their attack. If GR had been a respectable and responsible management team, they would have acted. They didn’t. To some, this still leaves a bitter taste in their mouths and we fully understand that. We also understand that many have seen fake ratings and reviews appear on their books as a direct result of GR policy changes and the bullies’ reaction to it (aka, their “Civil Protest”). We’ve done our best to give you solid evidence of this and to point you in the right direction so that this problem, too, can be addressed and solved. We feel that at this point, only a lawsuit will force Goodreads/Amazon to crack down on this. We wish you good luck.
We will be leaving our blog up as a record of what occurred and we welcome any of our readers to use it either to communicate with each other, to leave new information, or to publish guests posts (anonymous if necessary) when they wish to share a story or information with the STGRB community. In other words, the blog is all yours. Have fun!
« Consumers Using Free Service, Tired of Poor Quality The Attack on Karen S. Bell »
Thank you for all you’ve done to expose these issues on Goodreads. It’s still not a safe place for authors, but at least we are aware and know better how to deal with it. I have zero tolerance for pretentious jerks who have nothing better to do than stalk people constantly (which I’m sure would make their mothers proud) in order to spew a bunch of crap about them. You’ve done well to prove they’re petulant toddlers who can’t be reasoned with, so I won’t bother. Onward and upward!
Trust me when I tell you that they haven’t gone away. Just take a look at some of the plethora of other sites on the Internet. While its true that many have given up the ghost, some haven’t. They’re still at large…
Re my earlier comment, I have just posted this about my latest brush with a literary sociopath on my blog:- http://havewehadhelp.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/whatever-happened-to-the-goodreads-sociopaths/
Aww, it’s the end of an era. I will miss reading your posts every week, but you guys have done all you can do.
Thank you for all your efforts. I note Angela H. has a new sock puppet called Diana Shagport. Is it worth bothering to report her again?
Most of the apaths have grown up or moved on, or even been turned on by the real psychopaths in the group. Angela still blogs on posts here within minutes of them going up *rolls eyes*. She needs rehab.
You’re welcome, Adam. Yes, we’re aware of her new sock. It’s been reported.
Has anyone noticed? Since STGRB quit blogging, Horney Toad is getting desperate for material. Now she’s stalking KDP authors. She’s also claiming she’s not obsessed with this site even though half of her screenshots are from here……. and this site isn’t even active anymore! She doesn’t seem to realize that she lost the war.
Hey, Horney, I know you’re reading this. You can kiss my big white butt cheeks, my dear, because we all know you’re obsessed with us. Go ahead and screen cap my comment too. I know you want to. Maybe you should go back to writing books and working on your craft instead of doing the very thing that got you banned from Goodreads in the first place. We all know you need to, but that’s probably just it. You’re such a shitty writer, you have to bag on other writers who are more successful than you. You should find another hobby, sweetheart.
Well said, mate! Try channeling your energy into something positive for a change, Horney Toad, instead of spending so much time with what you think is brilliant investigative journalism. Here’s a hint: it’s not. No one really gives a shit about these things but you and your minions.
Angela Horn is a moron. She’s gotten pretty much everything wrong. She still thinks we’re a bunch of authors here or one particular author or something. I don’t know. I don’t read her trashy blog. The only time I’ve ever read it was when I had to, when we included it in a post. What is so pathetic about her is like you said, she is still doing the same thing that got her banned from GR and she thinks it’s a productive way to spend her time. She’s a sad, deluded soul who has made quite a bit of enemies. Maybe at some point she will realize her efforts are pointless and do something more productive with her time.
To understand more about the bullies and how they operate, read this:
http://www.sott.net/article/268449-Empathic-people-are-natural-targets-for-sociopaths-protect-yourself
Now that Goodreads and Amazon have been cracking down on the bullies on GR and the Amazon forums, Kboards has seen a rise in attacks. The bullies seem to be moving to this platform. Beware.
I would like to believe that Goodreads has controlled the bullies but I just got attacked last week and so far nothing has been done.
I love this site! You guys take no prisoners and call it like it is. I’m sad there won’t be any more articles by Johnny but I understand why you’re stopping. I like the new addition to the sidebar, Wikipedia denounces GR. I remember when the bullies tried to libel Dougie Brimson and Emily Giffin on their wiki pages. STGRB put a quick end to that. Fortunately Wikipedia knows what real bullying is and won’t tolerate it. Too bad it took Goodreads and Amazon so long to learn it. Better late than never, I s’pose. Good job, STGRB!
There is something that people have been misunderstanding. Our blog is not closed. We have stopped blogging like we used to, but our blog is still open to our readers. People can request to have things posted or they can do their own guest posts. They can also use it to communicate with each other. We are also leaving our blog up as a record and resource for newly targeted authors. We understand the bullies are still at large. We stated this above. But there’s really not much more we can do now. Authors will have to form a group to help support each other, flag inappropriate content on GR, and pursue legal action against them for the abuse and fraud that is still ongoing. I hope this makes things clearer for everyone.
Horny Mama has screenshots of 3 of my posts! OMG!OMG!OMG!!!!!!
I AM SO HONORED!!!!IAM BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Angela, for noticing my existence! I am sooooo grateful! If you keep noticing I promise to keep giving you something to screencap about! You scratch my back I scratch yours! After all, it’s not like you’re going to have anything else to right about, is it????
HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!
They’re OBSESSED with me over at the whisperer site! Angela, I’m glad you finally admitted to humping the furniture! They say their “fairly certain” I’m an author!!! OF COURSE I’m an author, you silly twats! The question is *witch* one??? LOL! You’ll never guess!!! Whose the REAL dumbass, TinNicole??!!
They’ve only just noticed the Karen Bell post!!! It’s been up for five days, but they were so busy playing with themselves that they only just noticed!!! Seriously, WHO IS THE DUMBASS???!!!!
Thanks for so many good things accomplished here. One is the obvious, which you posted about Goodreads. Of course the trolls and bullies are still there in various different capacities. But like you said it’s time for the next step, which would be litigation.
Also thanks for the smaller things. Nowhere on the Internet was there ever a blog or web site that went up against the bully tactics of Jane Litte and the Dearauthor low-end publishing minions. Some tried, but backed down and failed. STGRB went right after Jane with the truth and didn’t back down once. And in doing this you’ve created a new outlook where others can do the same with bloggers like Jane Litte. This is almost like a turning point in Internet history where people who have been bullied started to stand up to the fake publishing know-it-all bullies like Jane Litte and fight back. And I think I speak for many when I say that we’re not worried about Jane anymore and we welcome her to bring on anything she wants. We’ll go right back after her in ways she never would have imagined, and we’ll start with the secrets she’s been hiding. For a long time bullies like Jane controlled the Internet with bully tactics because they had the advantage of more education and knew how to manipulate. Fortunately, those days are over and there are more than a few people willing to “deal” with Jane thanks to what you’ve done here on this blog.
You also silenced Somerloon, the most notorious, vicious, horrible bully/troll to ever hit anything book related online. She’s bullied so many people for no sane reason she gained a reputation that people avoided out of pure fear. I don’t think anyone’s afraid of her kind anymore either. Like with Jane Litte, bring it on, Ann. We’re ready for you the next time you strike. The name “Looney” was earned, not made up for spite.
Interestingly, most of the bullies eventually turned on each other, thanks to this blog. I could go on, but I think you get what I’m talking about. The positive things that happened here will always be remembered and the progess you made will continue to live on.
Thanks, anon-a-bus!
Agreed. You’ve empowered the writing community to stop cowering in fear and to expose exactly how vicious these attacks can be. Roaches don’t like light, and neither do bullies like being shown for what they are.
They’re attacking Mysti Parker again over her use of the ‘R’ word. I have screenshots of two high-profile members of the bully crowd using the ‘R’ word with total abandon. Don’t make me post them.
Post ’em and you can show everyone what true hypocrites the bullies really are. You are welcome to do an anonymous guest post on our blog if you like.
Post away. There is no reason we should stop informing the writing world just how hypocritical and useless these heathens are.
Unfuckingbelievable!!!!! Every time I post here, it shows up on Horny Mama’s blog! I think that woman has a crush on me! I’m sorry,Horny Mama, I don’t swing that way! And even if I did your not pretty enough for me! Go back to humping the furniture!!! No hard feelings,okay? And don’t worry, I’m not crying! I’m laughing! I’m laughing AT you, Horny Mama! Not WITH you!
TinaNicole with an avatar like that you must dream of being an Old French Whore! Hell, you probably ARE an Old French Whore! That’s going to be my new name for you, Old French Whore!
Wow, Old French Whore really took it hard when I said her avatar looked like an old French whore! Apparently she thought it looked like an old German whore?
No way, OFW, it’s definitely an old French whore! Here’s what it reminds me of.
http://sheilanewbery.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/bjiou_brassai.jpg
And here’s another one!
http://lewebpedagogique.com/asphodele/files/2011/12/mme-rosa-signoret.jpg
See? Old French Whores and they look like your avatar.
I totally forgot one thing! That first whore’s name is Bijou!
Bijou=Bijou Hunter=Angela Horn?!?!?!?
Do ALL these girls love and admire and look up to old French whores?!?!?
Amaranth, your avatar looks like an ass with a stick sticking out of it! Seriously, what’s with that?? I know it would take a bathtub full of gin to make me stick a stick up my ass, take a picture and post it on the internet for all the world to see!!!! Is that supposed to say something about your personality? You’ve got a stick up your ass? Or is it just something you like doing?
Another attack
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/778984907
I was so relieved when I saw that they were talking about something else besides me for a change, I thought ‘Phew, now I can go back to my normal life.’ But no! AManda Welling (who the heck is she??) told me to read an article about Ann Colter because maybe I could learn something. So I read it, and it’s all about a Special Olympics guy telling Ann Colter it’s mean to use the word ‘retard.’ I’m confused. When did I ever call anyone a retard? So what am I supposed to learn???
Phew, I’m glad that they stopped talking about me. Your gonna laugh, but I was beginning to feel like a celebrity, getting stalked everywhere! I felt like the Kardashans! Thankfully, they’ve stopped, which is good, because I’m going away on vaycay, so I won’t be able to respond to all they’re posts about me. So merry Xmas, everybody! You two, Old French Whore!
XOXOX
Princess P. Off, that is so weird, you’ve always reminded me of Kim Kardashian, although your bum isn’t quite as big as hers. I’m so happy for you, it must be nice to feel like a celebrity, what a cool way to end 2013! At least something positive came out of you being stalked. Enjoy your vacation, happy Christmas!
There is a new book website, complete rip off of GR, that is quickly becoming full of trolls and bullies. https://www.leafmarks.com/
They are still looking for a replacement for GR. Very sad.
How about transforming into “Stop the Absolute Write Bullies?”
Oh, it’s still happening. But thanks for taking the battle to GR.
Not sure how to attach an image. Goodreads spectacularly silent…
Screen shot stored here (http://tonymcfadden.net/hwwttrolls.tiff). This is for one title. All ten on Goodreads have had the same treatment…
It is no longer a useful site. If Goodreads don’t sort things within the week I’ll cease using it as a platform. It’s doing more harm than good.
Apparently Debbie has reported you to Amazon, but they removed her commenting privileges because she’s not an Amazon member in good standing! I’ve been reporting Pete and Somerloon on a regular basis for review swapping. Amazon keeps telling me review swapping is not against the rules, but they’ve never taken away my commenting privileges! In fact, they ENCOURAGE me to comment! That puts me one up on Debbie!
Debbie, why don’t you try reporting Pete and Anne? It’s lonely out here, fighting the review swappers by myself!
Good job!
I thought review swapping would be against the rules, but I guess I was wrong. Doesn’t surprise me about Somerloon doing anything anymore, that hot wet sack of owl poo that she is. If it’s any consolation her books are so awful, and the characters and storylines so wooden, I don’t even think she could buy enough reviews to make that garbage sell more than a few copies to her socks and buddies.
Hey STGRB! Did you hear about this? There’s been another attack.
http://thelookingglassofcarrollbryant.blogspot.com.au
Here’s a good post.
http://readfulthingsblog.com/2014/01/07/the-legacy-you-leave-a-few-thoughts-on-literary-hate-packs/
It talks about literary hate packs on Goodreads. Other readers are starting to see what’s happening, too.
It’s still going on at GR. I’ve read six or seven different posts about it recently. I don’t want to copy and paste because I don’t have permission. But it’s the same old story. Someone gives a 4 star rating instead of 5 stars, someone gets pissed, and the one who gets pissed gives the first someone one star ratings for all his/her books without even reading them.
Just once I would like to see everyone go over there and blast GR with one author and book until that web site overloads and crashes. Like and online flash mob. We should all plan one day and one specific minute in the future to do this and freak them all out completely by making the strongest statement there is. That will get attention and expose GR for what they promote and encourage.
This is kind of out of left field, but could someone tell me what the heck Coaxial/Grimlock’s latest post in the BBA group is all about? First she comes out as a technosexual, then she writes that long garbled, rambling post where, so far as I can tell, she says she’s against goblin rape. I’m seriously starting to think she was dropped on her head as a baby.
Let me help you. Grimlock does not approve of goblin rape. On the other hand, if she gets into an argument with an author, she is liable to go around telling everyone that that author makes false rape allegations.
Where does Grimlock accuse an author of making false rape allegations?
In the comments on this thread
You have to scroll about a quarter of the way down the page. I have screencaps in case the evidence disappears.
Wow. Just wow.
And this is the person who claims she’s against rape culture?
Psst! Angela! It’s me again! Notice my new name? It means I made it! I am now deep undercover! Nobody suspects anything! I Will let you know as soon as something happens! Later, gater!!
P.S. If you forgot the code, just email me.
Did you guys see Vicky’s comment on the Glass? She’s claiming you censored heri
Just saw it. She is wrong. She wasn’t censored. I remember that day Vicky was commenting on our blog. She was allowed to disagree with people. What she wasn’t allowed to do was disrespect and insult people posting on our blog and she did, so two of her comments were removed. It all began when Eve Thomas left a comment on our blog explaining what happened in court from her pov. She said that she was held in contempt of the court for not giving out her telephone number. She said she refused to give it because she didn’t want her abusive ex-husband to call her and stalk her. Vicky left a comment that she didn’t buy that story because she could easily have gotten an extra number through an app on Google. When other commenters started defending Eve and saying that they’d never heard of what Vicky was talking about, Vicky became hostile and left several offensive comments that were insulting to the other people on the comment thread. Athena moderated the offensive comments out and Vicky became angry and left. So you see, she wasn’t censored. She knew the rules and she broke them so her comments weren’t published. When we started our blog, we were very open and clear about our commenting policy. People are allowed to disagree with each other on our blog, but they must remain respectful and courteous to others. Vicky didn’t. In fact, two of our blog readers warned us about her when they saw her commenting on our blog. They said that she had been banned from the Amazon fora for being hostile towards others and for bullying. We told them that we would keep an eye on her and thanked them for the warning. They turned out to be right.
As for Carroll, he can rationalize it all he wants, but the fact is that he was banned from STGRB for the same reason that he was banned from GR — because his behavior was out of control. He wasn’t banned for making a mistake. He was banned because he acted like a perfect jerk and then threatened Athena. You can’t exactly do that and expect to remain on good terms with her. So now instead of realizing it was because of how he acted and trying to correct that behavior, he’s choosing to hold a grudge against STGRB. It’s the same reason he holds a grudge against GR. You ever wonder why he and Rick are so against GR reforming their site? It’s because they don’t want GR to get better. STGRB wants to see GR get better. Rick and Carroll don’t. They want GR destroyed because GR banned them for their out of control behavior. So did we. These are two grown men who act like children and refuse to grow up. And because they refuse to grow up, they will continue to have problems like this over and over and no one will ever take them seriously. And that’s all that needs to be said. It’s pretty obvious to everyone who reads our blog.
Had no idea any of this was happening. Glad I was always cautious around Carroll.
Well said, Johnny. Rick also wants STGRB destroyed because you guys called him out on his bullshit. That’s why he’s been trying to report your site. He’s been bragging about it. I love the new name you’ve made for him. Very fitting. 😀 For the record, I was one of the people who warned you about Vicky. I’m glad it helped.
Thank you. Athena had decided to give Vicky the benefit of the doubt until she proved you right, but it’s always true that people can change. She’s still allowed to comment here, but she will have to follow the rules.
I just found your site, here in Feb. 2014, after defending myself against an attack of bullies on Goodreads. I only WISH they were doing something about it! (Who IS “THEY” anyway??). I HATE that place and wish there was a way to pull my books from their lists. They may claim to be a library, but with Amazon owning them now, they’re making money somehow and I did NOT grant them access to my books. Or if I inadvertently did, I hereby rescind it.
So what is this “something” they are supposedly doing? They could start by insisting that reviewers actually are literate, actually have read the book, and actually don’t have some agenda for posting a review other than to be helpful to the author or other readers. A text review should be REQUIRED for any stars under 3 as it is too easy for people with vendettas and just mean, bullying people, to give low stars to be hurtful.
Personally, I’d like the lawsuit to go through. I came here fighting mad and I’m willing to join any other lawsuit. So if you know of anyone else who isn’t happy with GR “fixing” this problem, please let me know!