Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

I guess any publicity is good publicity for a nonprofit org, but I’m still a little surprised at this one.

Well, Travis is a bigger man that me. I would harbor ill will and I do hope there are negative ramifications…

BUT! At least something good has come out of this and we’ve helped someone (or somecritters) out a bit.

These guys are all super classy and I hope they drop by someday.

Yeah! The bitchery is “wonderful”.

Now what these two need is to be outfitted with the best picks of the romance novel crop.

Okay, these guys? Officially really cool peeps.

Unlike Mr Livieri, I definitely hope for some ‘ramifications’ for Ms Edwards… Not that I’m a vindictive bitch or anything

Wow, such nice guys!

Ruth- They could strike back, but since this has gotten their ferrets et.al. so much attention, that probably lessens the blow.
Just like we gave Tolme a pass about the comments on romance novels.

Okay, so this has officially descended into farce.

All’s well that ends well?

Meriam, please forgive my thickheadedness (that a word?), and explain?

Your website brought into the harsh light of day a sad, embarrassing and very shabby episode of profoundly unprofessional conduct, and yet, out of that, a great deal of good has come.  Not only have many people addressed the issue of plagiarism seriously perhaps for the first time, really thinking about how it feels to have one’s work and thoughts misappropriated, but our attention has also been drawn, obliquely, to many other important matters, such as endangered wildlife and vanishing habitats.  The story has spread far and wide.

At the ‘Dear Author’ website, we have been treated to a moving description of some of the self-effacing researchers and authors of the past who dedicated themselves to recording the culture of native Americans, and we have also had the pleasure of seeing the admirably constructive and gracious responses of those who have actually been victims in this story.  It is more than likely that some people who have never read romance fiction at all will now give it a try, and Ms. Roberts has shown herself to be a very classy lady indeed. 

I think the Smart Bitches started something that, painful though it must be for the original malefactor, will do much good.  Congratulations.

From Paul’s Website:
Paul Tolme in the News:

Paul is the center of the year’s sexiest plagiarism scandal.

That just makes me smile!  He seems like a funny guy, and I think its admirable that they are just happy the ferrets are getting attention.  Plus, it seems that romance writing has some new fans.

That was a pretty cool email.

He seems like a smart person. I love that he harbors no ill will towards C.Edwards and that he even bought her book! LOL

I’m glad positive things are coming out of this. I think his is a good example to follow :)

azteclady: Well, from plagiarism to ferrets? You couldn’t make it up. It’s kind of hilarious, but also silly - hence the farcical element

This in particular makes me laugh -

“I harbor no ill will towards Cassie Edwards and I sincerely hope there are no negative ramifications for Cassie, the romance novel community or anyone else.

I actually ordered a copy of the book for myself and will always smile when I think about romance novels.”

After all the froth and frenzy of the past week, we have a happy ending! (which led to the Shakespeare). It’s what romance is all about, right?

Oh! *slapping forehead* I see! Color me all smart now. [The bitch part I have had down for a long while]

Thank you

Ugh. C’mon people, (and by “people,” I don’t mean the Bitchery). I know Travis was just trying to be a classy dude and all, but did he have to buy Cassie’s book???  Couldn’t he, I dunno, have gone to Paperbackswap or a used bookstore to ferret out (heh, couldn’t resist) a copy of the book?

The thing I don’t want happening is Edwards and the publishers getting richer out of all this. Because we all know that in the end, money talks. If Edwards loses face but makes money for her publishers, then they’ll continue to love her and publish future books. 

What Edwards (and Signet and her other pubs) should do is donate the earnings from her sales since the story broke to Native American and wildlife conservation causes. Now THAT would be a truly joyful ending indeed.

Not at all, azteclady. I was being a little sarcastic before. Then I read the Newsweek article and it won me over.

And what does Edwards owe me? Does she owe me anything, aside from an apology and maybe a free, autographed copy of her book with an “attaboy” on the passage in question? My words did not enhance her novel. They were filler. I can imagine frustrated and horny readers cursing the ferrets and skipping ahead in search of the next nipple.

His disparagement of the genre as a whole notwithstanding, he seems very cool, and utterly committed to those ferrets.

Classy dude. I can’t help thinking he should be better rewarded than with a Cassie Edwards book, though.
Then again, my mind immediately went to some sort of were-ferret paranormal, which is a bit yiffy, so I’ll button my lip now.

Karmela said: What Edwards (and Signet and her other pubs) should do is donate the earnings from her sales since the story broke to Native American and wildlife conservation causes. Now THAT would be a truly joyful ending indeed.

I totally agree. That would be a step in the right direction.

RE:  My words did not enhance her novel. They were filler. I can imagine frustrated and horny readers cursing the ferrets and skipping ahead in search of the next nipple.

This guy is hilarious. I wonder if he’s single LOL

Re: My words did not enhance her novel. They were filler.

I think this guy has the right attitude. He could make a big deal out of this. Make himself (and others) miserable but he chooses to see the funny side of it. I admire him for it.

The ferret-kits are beyond adorable.

BTW, has there been any response from Edwards’s other publishers?

These ferret guys are awesome.

Is it only me or does it make it even MORE cool that it was the supposed MEANIES who helped create this positive development? I’m so proud to be a Bitchery reader, and even more proud to be a Nora Roberts reader/fan/thank goddess she’s on the other coast ‘cause then I might stalk her (just to get that damn bobblehead!).

Romance novels now make Travis smile and the black-footed ferrets make ME smile. (I wish he wasn’t smiling at a Cassie Edwards book but that’s just splitting hairs.)

I don’t think it is necessary or appropriate to bay for CE’s blood.  I suspect that she feels pretty bad already, and I think it most unlikely that her sales will hold up, let alone improve; certainly she is likely to be far more carefully edited in the future.  While I have no sympathy for her - she is old enough to know better - it reflects ill on us, as readers, to be vengeful, and to dwell on punishment and retribution. 

It is a great deal better to draw all the necessary lessons from this, and to publicise them: in particular, to ensure that everyone understands that plagiarism is intellectual theft, and that it is immoral and despicable.

It is a great deal better to draw all the necessary lessons from this, and to publicise them: in particular, to ensure that everyone understands that plagiarism is intellectual theft, and that it is immoral and despicable.

AgTigress, you are so right!

I’ll do my best to focus on what can be learned from all this rather than say, oh, the name of the blog? (Which seems to be what an outspoken segment of the romance community online seems to view as the larger sin. Go figure.)

I hope he orders a Nora Roberts novel as well.

I feel like sending them a copy of my book. Something to read while spending long hours cooped up with another dude on ferret watch. LOL!

~it reflects ill on us, as readers, to be vengeful, and to dwell on punishment and retribution.~

I don’t see wanting and expecting consequences for actions as being vengeful. I see it as wanting and expecting justice.

Editing someone more carefully in the future? That’s not justice, imo.

And I don’t see hoping for appropriate action and consequences in matters of plagiarism or infringement as baying for blood.

Well, that does it.  I’m totally plagiarizing Paul’s writing for the publicity alone.

Looking over Paul Tolme’s page of enviromental stories, I can see why a romance writer would steal from him.  His titles read “hawt lovin’ action!”

Sympathy for the Devil Bear
Pure Poison
Sexy Beasts
Mercury Rising
Groupies Gone Wild
Made in the Shade
Gray Ghosts of the Cloud Forest

I’ve got dibs on “Sexy Beasts,” and you other aspiring plagiarists can catfight over the rest.

Karmela: I totally agree with you.  Peace.

Am I the only one reading stuff like this and thinking, “Save Ferrets” a la Bueller?

*crickets*

I agree that these guys are cool as well as hot.  And they deserve better than Cassie Edwards novels to read while on ferret watch.  I’ve already suggested Georgette Heyer, and I think Nora is a definite YES, but I can’t decide which book.  Maybe she should pick, and send Mark Cheater, Paul Tolme, and Travis Livieri each an autographed paperback.

And maybe Nora’s next book could feature wildlife biologists, perhaps with poachers or poisoners as villains?
(I give Nora--but no one else--permission to use this idea free gratis for nothing, though an autographed copy would be nice if she does it.  At least she should promise not to depict any ferrets or whatever eating moles....)

I forgot to mention that years ago I read a Loveswept category romance in which the hero was a wildlife biologist specializing in raptors.  He was hand-raising a pair of owlets when he wasn’t working at his regular job as a male stripper....

20 years down the road…

This week NewsWeek covered the annual BITCHES FOR BLACKFEET BARBEQUE in South Dakota.  Two decades ago the romance hub Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books exposed an instance of plagiarism by a romance author whom no one can seem to remember well enough to name.  The victim was a writer who was working toward saving the Black Footed Ferret, which was then near extinction.  Today millions of tourists visit FerretLand yearly.  The small mustelids, once numbering only a few, are now off the endangered list.  And once a year Travis Livieri, Paul Tolme (the writer in question), the Smart Bitches readership, and their families gather for a blues-festival and barbeque eating extravaganza that has become legend in the Bad Lands.  Reports of nudity and wild animal abuse by park rangers were refuted when...

Jennifer, I too was thinking “Save Ferrits”!  lol.  It would make a great T-shirt. 

Bueller, Bueller....

I have to tell you, talpianna, the reading I’ve done the last couple days had me thinking about wildlife biology, reporting, rescue or the like for a book.

It might be fun and interesting.

We’ll see.

Chrissy, I’m soooo there!!! *giggling uncontrollably*

I think everyone should send the fine fellows some signed books to fill the hours of ferret watch.  They could raise a mint on the novelty alone, should they choose to auction the books as a charity-type thing. 

Not a pubbed author?  Send a copy of your favorite book, representing all that’s great in the genre, inscribed with a kind note.  Might I suggest, “CE sucks savage ass.  Try these nipples instead.”

It’s cool they’re not haters--though they have every right to be angry seekers of ferret justice.  Legal fees would eat up a lot of $$ otherwise needed to save the animals from the brink though, so it’s probably best for them to stay positive and on message.

I am *SO* going to adopt a ferret.  I was going to just make the DOW donation, but now both!

Kim B.

“I guess any publicity is good publicity for a nonprofit org, but I’m still a little surprised at this one.”

Any publicity *is* good for a nonprofit, but this kind of publicity is really great.  Most nonprofits struggle mightily just to stay open. The amount of money that has been generated for them by this scandal could really make a significant difference for that cause and that organization. Seeing unexpected donations like this is truly a godsend for any non-profit.  As an employee of a small non-profit myself, I salute you Bitches and the work you are doing.

His good will might suffer after experiencing CE’s writing style…

Chrissy, awesome LOL

Did you notice the careful note that “you will not receive a black-footed ferret” in the mail by sponsoring one? Can you imagine? Yep, I guess we all can...They’ve no doubt had complaints or they wouldn’t have added that…

What a classy guy! Between him and Paul Tolme, I am considering switching careers to study ferrets!
Charlaine Harris should write about a were-ferret in her next Southern Vampire novel.

I don’t think it is necessary or appropriate to bay for CE’s blood.

I think most people aren’t baying for blood.  What many writers want is a clear message that copying is an unacceptable way to increase profits.  That message isn’t clear if there aren’t tangible consequences.  Some people don’t care about reputation, only the bottom line.

Besides all that, I know so many talented and hardworking unpublished authors.  I’d much rather see them get a shot than see CE get more careful editing.

I was able to adopt Sirius-yeah (even though he was named after the star I am such a Harry Potter nut that I grabbed him).

Nora you should email the site and give them permission to name some of the ferrets after your characters I bet they would be snapped up-esp. Roarke-(grin)

Okay, maybe I am one of the few voices in the *cough* wilderness, but while I salute his noble-mindedness (truly), I really balk at the “hope there are no negitive ramifications” statement.

Perhaps he isn’t aware of the wide reaching scope of the plagiarism? Maybe he thinks his publication is the only resource copied?

Really, he should be buying up Nora Roberts, and not putting more money into the pocket of Cassie Edwards. Call me what you will, but I think his attitude is rather cavalier. I am honestly glad it doesn’t disturb him on a personal level, but really he should consider other authors before issuing a summary dismissal of blame.

OMG, that Loveswept! That was a Sharon and Tom Curtis, I think it was Lightning Lingers? 

Sorry, back to the ferrets and the classy hot wildlife dudes.

Quote of the day: Is that a ferret in your loincloth or are you just happy to see me? (Comment on Dave Barry’s blog)

Quote of the day: Is that a ferret in your loincloth or are you just happy to see me? (Comment on Dave Barry’s blog)

He had me goin’ until this point:

I sincerely hope there are no negative ramifications for Cassie, the romance novel community or anyone else.

Ack! Teaches me to not preview before posting!

Nora’s thinking of doing a story with a wildlife biologist protag?  Well, there goes MY unpubbed self’s hook :)

No hard feelings, Nora.  Let me know if you have any questions about biology grunt work ;)

Good for Travis Livieri.  I appreciate that he and Paul Tolme have stayed focused on the important issues, instead of playing this for maximum drama.

How sweet!

Thank you Random. I am glad I’m not the only person that is a tad taken aback by this response.

Hoenstly, I can understand why he says he wishes for no negative ramifications. He probably has too much to think about to spend his energy on her.

And it may also be the way he is and his values. Growing up I was told to forgive people, give the other cheek, etc. We really have no right to judge him about this and I don’t think he is being cavalier. While I wouldn’t be so quick to forgive and I would probably wish a lot of bad stuff, he seems to be different.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. Whatever ramifications occur will take place no matter anyone’s ill or well wishes.

I was taught forgivness as well, but I don’t think forgivness is the point. I am happy he can FORGIVE her, what bothers me is the wish that she not be held accountable for her actions. Particularly when those actions were not just against him and have such a far reaching effect on others.

Uh, I just want to point out that you have some ‘pyramid-like’ shape in your header. I think Egypt wanted you to pay them royalty for using the ‘pyramid’ shape.

Did you hear about that? It’s not Egypt’s sole right to have pyramid shape...the rest of us have to pay.

Yes, but if you read his full quote it says “harbor no ill will towards Cassie Edwards and I sincerely hope there are no negative ramifications for Cassie, the romance novel community or anyone else.”

I think he is hoping in general the romance community is not attacked. Many people may take this opportunity to form a bad opinion about ALL romance writers in general and I think he does not want that, nor is he signing up to lead the mob for the lynching.

And he speaks for himself. He has a right to do so. He has a right to wish and think whatever he wants and I think the respectful thing is to accept his words and not question him at a personal level.

Like I said, this does not mean there will be no ramifications but this is his personal opinion and statement.

I feel outclassed by the black-footed ferret guy.

Let’s all donate.

Yay! Ferrets!

Nora,

If you get serious about the wildlife biology/rescue theme let me know. I could point you in the direction of some good information. I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Ecology, plus I do bat rescue/rehab.

That’s a Mexican pyramid. And I hope you are joking Shoshana. If I thought you were seriously trying to defend this woman I think it might not be so funny anymore.

What classy guys. Who knew that ferrets could be so interesting?

To those that are upset that Travis harbors no ill will towards CE, if you go read the article that is linked to in the right link (prairiewildlife.org), he does talk about the negative ramifications of plagiarism.  That and the article is pretty funny.  Between the pic of the ferret and the cover art, I’d take the ferret any day.  Way cuter. :D

Not only is it NOT an Egyptian pyramid, it’s actually a Mayan temple.  Many cultures have temples, and some of them are shaped like pyramids. 

However, each pyramid, while the same in basic shape, is unique in composition. 

I believe the temple in the header is devoted to ThunderPaw, the legendary Savage Ferret Goddess of the Dakota Plains.  Legend has it that on the first night of the full moon, she shifts to the shape of a woman and claims as mates any attractive biologists or journalists who are within her Kingdom.

Wow.  I leave the internets for a week, and when I get back you guys have blown it to smithereens.  This is why we can’t have nice things, you know.

Nothing to say that hasn’t already been beaten to death, but I am glad to have this modern example to show my own students.  Not a semester goes by that I don’t have to deal with at least one plagiarism case, and I’m certain there are some that I never catch.  It makes me ill every time it crops up, and not once have I had a student just own up to it.

Keep up the good work.

Cathy, I suspect a LOT of people will be thinking about writing books with wildlife biologists or some area that includes the profession.

Not to say biologists are like vampires--ha ha--but look how many vamp books are out.

It’s all about execution. So go for it.

These guys are class acts all the way & so is the bitchery, you guys are amazing!

My heroine in BOND OF BLOOD is a wildlife biologist, specializing in owls.  I had loads of fun researching her and got seriously infuriated about the danger us everyday people put those glorious birds in.  Who knew that would happen when I started?  So I strongly encourage y’all to write your own books about wildlife biologists!

Diane

That’s classy.

Oh - and my lady wildlife biologist gets involved with a vamp.  That pretty much guarantees anybody else’s book would be very different.  LOL

Diane, who’d really like to see more wildlife biologist romances after spending time with the folks

I just had to distribute a CE book today at work.  I feel so dirty.  I wish publishing had conscientious objector status.

Re: That’s a Mexican pyramid. And I hope you are joking Shoshana. If I thought you were seriously trying to defend this woman I think it might not be so funny anymore

Mexican Pyramid?

S, sweetie, I’m confused. I’m sure you mean Mesoamerican Pyramid(s) built by various (Pre-Columbian) indigenous civilizations such as the Mayans, Aztecs, Zapotechs, Tarascans and others.

I believe this particular one (in the header) is referred to as “El Castillo” (the castle) and was built by the Yucatec Mayas in Chichén Itzá, a regional capital of northern Yucatán (México today).

You see, Mayas were not Mexicans (they lived for thousands of years before México came to exist). And Mayas did not only reside in what is now the southern part of México, they also lived in different parts of what is now Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador Etc...).

Hope this helps :)

Note: I’m sorry if this is confusing, english isn’t my first language :)

OK, is it me or did I take it all wrong?

I thought his response was great...all except for the buy the book part!

If he was going to buy a freakin’ book why not one of Nora’s since she’s the one offering to help the ferrets!

Besides, you all know what will happen.  He’s going to read CE’s book and think that all romances are like that!  I think we need to send him some copies he can really appreciate…

<>

Totally OT, but Diane, I’m enjoying very much your Texas Vampires series.

I took his comments to mean not that he wanted the CE book to actually read and enjoy but he wanted a copy of the book that included his plagerized work.

I thought his response was trés classy.

I’m not sure Cassie’s going to have any negative consequences, esp. given that according to the commentary piece he wrote in this week’s issue of NEWSWEEK, Paul Tolme thinks the whole thing is, at core, hilarious. He even went out and bought a copy of SHADOW BEAR and wrote it up in NEWSWEEK, which is only going to bump up Cassie’s sales that much more. If anything, Paul Tolme will get a nice bump for his writing out of this, too. He probably only made sixty-seven cents or so on the original article, and now that this has happened, he’ll probably make money on reprints of the obscure article, not to mention the dough he’s getting for the NEWSWEEK piece, and the whole affair will only raise his profile that much more so he’ll get even more freelance assignments and make even more money.

I’d sure like it if somebody plagiarized one of the obscure journalism articles I wrote ten years ago or so in a bestselling novel just so I could get this kind of publicity. Some of the puff pieces I wrote early in my career were so obscure I maybe earned $0.002 a word for them if I was lucky; I’d probably make more from the infringement than I did from the original publisher. That’s probably how Tolme sees it, too.
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Edwards may not suffer consequences for her theft of Tolme’s Defenders of Wildlife piece, but she’s going to have to face the music from other publishers with considerable clout, including the University of Pennyslvania Press, which holds the copyright to Penobscot Man, from which she plagiarised large portions of Bold Wolf. The more copyrighted work that emerges, the more the consequences are going to stack up. Defenders of Wildlife probably can’t afford to do much, but a lot of the other presses *can*.

Nora, I’m sure there are/will be plenty of biologist-type characters to go around.  Though I’d imagine they’re coming off the page as a lot sexier than tromping through tick-infested woods and getting pooped on by an owl truly is.  Isn’t THAT romantic? 

Diane, a wildlife biologist and a vampire, eh?  As a science geek, I’d totally grill the vamp about how the blood sucking thing works : )

Alandra, kudos to you for getting the PhD and doing bat rescue.  I love the little guys!

“Mexican Pyramid?
S, sweetie, I’m confused. I’m sure you mean Mesoamerican Pyramid(s) built by various (Pre-Columbian) indigenous civilizations such as the Mayans, Aztecs, Zapotechs, Tarascans and others.”

Sorry, English is not my first language either. I guess the correct wording is that is a pyramida IN Mexico as opposed to Mexican.

I’m from Mexico actually, and it looks like one I saw near Merida. (I think I might have climbed it, this would have been years ago). And yes, I do know the Mayan civilization did not end at the border with central america and extended far beyond the limits of modern Mexico.

Mil disculpas.

Thanks! This site is very neat btw. I’m glad I found it.

“Travis, his biologist’s skin suffused with a red glow, leapt from his clattering truck just as the last rays from a sleepy sun peeked over the flat horizon. A cool Dakotan breeze teased his neck, causing a manly piloerection that was obvious to all. He scowled, ignoring the irritating sting caused by a lack of boxers sold to a mob of frenzied women to fund this expedition. Gazing towards his beloved Gaea, his heart leapt at the vision of that soft, dark mound he’d been desperately seeking. Travis rapidly dashed over, inspecting the soft mounds bathed in moonlight. A secret warm place called to him, so he thrust his steel-hardened appliance deep into Gaea’s shadowed cavity. Once was not enough; throughout the night, Travis thrust his equipment deep into Gaea’s hidden lair, burying it deeply, hoping upon hope that his efforts would reward him with the organism he was so desperately ferreting out. Then, suddenly, Gaea released her organism, causing Travis to shout his joy to the stars above. Tension ebbed slowly from Travis as he slowly removed his rigid gadget from Gaea’s clinging hideaway, his frustration finally resolved. Resolved, yes, but Travis was not so easily satisfied with a single organism. He stood in the moonlight in full piloerection, searching out yet another warm, dark hole in which to bury his massive steely device.

Why do you think they call it “biology?”

S, no problem :)

Por mi trabajo he viajado por toda America Latina y sin dudas puedo decirte que vienes de uno de los paises mas bellos que he visitado!

Además, una de mis mejores amigas (hicimos un master en Ciencias Políticas Juntas en Madrid) fue diputada por el DF y ahora es asesora de la cámara de diputados; me paso la mitad del día oyendo sobre la política de tu país LOL

You’re very lucky *g*

Ciar Cullen joked about the note on the ferret adoption page that you wouldn’t receive a ferret in the mail.  But if you read on, you will find that if you adopt at the $50 level, you WILL receive a plush ferret.  Many wildlife organizations do the same; I’m getting a snow leopard cub for my Defenders of Wildlife donation; and I have a tiger, a lynx, and a wolf around from previous similar donations.

Incidentally, if you go to the Who We Are page and check out the Board of Directors, you will find a picture of Travis Livieri (with ferret).  He’s not as hot as Paul T., but he’s not bad--not bad at all.

http://www.prairiewildlife.org/

Forgot to mention that on that page there’s also a mention of the plagiarism flap, with links to Paul T.’s website, original DEFENDERS piece, and NEWSWEEK article.  None to SBTB, though.

I think I’ve found the bed this ‘reporter’ was thinking of even has a mirror above it (heart shaped too, of course).

http://www.playhouseusa.com/heartbeds.htm

I found ya’ll because of the Cassie Edwards drama. Hey something good had to come out of it.

Woops, wrong article.  *headdesk*