Categories: But...that's not really about romance novels • News
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by SB Sarah • Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Here at Smart Bitches, we’ve examined a slew of material since last Monday, from novels to anthropology texts to poems, and we’ve discussed authors, editors, publishers, writers, scientists, ethnographers, Native Americans, and of course, Bitches.
But as Paul Tolmé pointed out in his article in Newsweek, there’s one party that hasn’t gotten enough attention.
The ferrets.
Tolmé’s article about the black footed ferret focuses on the loss of their habitat, the prairie, and the programs working to bring them back from near extinction.
The black footed ferret is officially classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as extinct in the wild, though breeding and repopulation programs have been successful. Defenders of Wildlife classifies the ferrets as an imperiled species.
And then came this morning’s email: Nora Roberts has volunteered to match up to $5,000.00 USD any donations made by Smart Bitches readers to Defenders of Wildlife, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to preserve not just ferrets but endangered wildlife across the US, most particularly that species much loved by paranormal romance writers: the wolf.
Are you outside the US, but want to increase Nora’s gift? Please feel free to make a donation to the local wildlife charity of your choice.
To qualify your donation for Nora’s matching gift, please email me at with a screen cap or PDF of your donation receipt. You can block out your personal deets if like. I’ll total up the collective donations and keep y’all appraised of the totals.
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books LLC, will kick off the donations with a $100 pledge. Nora’s offer to match expires 31 January 2008, so please get your donations in by then.
Updated to add: We have cleared $1000 $1500 $2200 $4900 in total Smart Bitch Reader donations. Way to go!
Updated 18 January 2008, 6:00 pm EST: WE have REACHED $5,000.00 - and then some. Way to go Bitches!
134 comments •
Categories: But...that's not really about romance novels • News
Categories: But...that's not really about romance novels • News
This rocks. Nora rocks. Smart Bitches rock. I love this place.
said on...Whee, we’ve got a C note already!
Did into those wallets. Save the ferrets!
Let’s take an ugly situation and counter it with something positive.
Think of their little black feet, and give!
Just another reason why Nora rocks so hard. A very appropriate gesture. Now I’m off to read about the ferrets and the wolves and help contribute.
Dig, DIG into those wallets.
Jeez, I’ve got to go back to work, with more caffeine.
said on...I’m off to give my donation! Thank you, Nora!
I want to adopt a Jaguar :o) That is a wonderful site, and this is a great gesture.
What an awesome plan!
What a great idea. I’ve done my part.
To (mis)quote one of my favorite t-shirts: Nora rocks my tiny self-centered universe. I’m off to adopt a ferret!
said on...Perfect plan. Let someone (the ferrets) benefit from it who deserves it.
Donated to the cause.
JaneyD said on...What a delight to know that SOMETHING good is coming out of this whole sorry mess.
I gotta wait til payday, but count me in.
Oooh - not only will Nora match your donation, if you give at least $15 I see you get a free subscription to their magazine (useful for research :-/ ), a calendar, and address labels.
You got my $ come payday. Totally worthy comeback to such a rotten affair.
You are the best Nora!
Spaminator: serious45----Now is that 45 seconds? Because seriousness just isn’t my forte’ y’all.
Sandy, you are a wicked woman.
I’ve now donated to Defenders and adopted a ferret directly though the other site. *grin* And I’ve passed on the info to my RWA loops.
If there was ever any doubt that Nora and the Smart Bitches rock… *off to see what critter I’d like to adopt*
said on...Just got paid today. I’ll get on it posthaste.
I gave a general donation but now I’m thinking of adopting an animal for each of my kids for a Valentine’s Gift. One loves owls and one won’t stay off Club Penguin, so it’s perfect!
said on...Tomorrow, when my paycheck lands!
Nora, what a wonderful idea, and how wonderful of you to get the ball rolling!
You do, indeed ROCK!
OMG, this rocks. Smart Bitches rock. Nora rocks. Ferrets rock. Not sure why this made my day, but it did! :)
I’m glad something good (other than, y’know, truth and justice) is coming out of this. I’m off to donate.
Also, there’s a take action page on the Defenders website where you can find out whom to write and call to help save the ferrets’ habitat.
Thanks, Nora. Just sent in my donation.
YAY NORA! And yay Bitches! And YAY FERRETS!
I totally haven’t even hit the DayQuil yet and this just made my week. I can’t wait to donate money (this comes at a perfect time because my husband just brought up the idea of a monthly charitable donation yesterday--I’m saving ferrets, he’s fighting hunger).
I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m sending a mass email to all of my friends and family about this wonderful new development and urge them to Help Save The Ferrets.
Dude! With a $25 donation, you get a free windbreaker.
In case anyone needed another incentive.
said on...I just made my donation. Thank you, Nora and SB!
Plus a shout out to Paul and the ferrets!
said on...Adorable ferrets, hot wildlife writer, Nora Roberts, an excellent cause to give to… it’s like the perfect storm for a donation drive. Count me in!
said on...Nora rocks, and ferrets rule! I get paid tomorrow.
(I used to have a pet ferret, the unendangered kind. It liked to bite my mother on the toes. I loved that ferret.)
BTW, I’ve seen several mentions of adopting a ferret, but I can’t find a link to adopt a ferret. Lots of links to adopt other animals, but today is all about the ferret! If someone found an “adopt a ferret” link, can you post it? :)
said on...Thank you SB’s! Thank you Nora! Have to wait until payday but I’m in.
said on...This is too cool; Nora, what a classy move. I’m going to go look into it. Where do I get my “ferrets against plagiarism” t-shirt?
Okay, I’m a little slow on the uptake today. Almost immediately after I posted my “where’s the adopt-a-ferret” question, I found the link. Figures.
In case there’s anyone else who wants it, here ya go:
http://www.blackfootedferret.org/adoption.html
I’ll stop commenting now. ;)
I think I missed something. We know Edwards copied from Paul Tolme’s piece on the endangered black footed ferret. And I read his romance genre insulting letter in response. So why are we contributing to the ferrets? It looks like an apology from romance writers/readers for what happened. It’s a shame he’s been victimized by Edwards, but the apology he’s due shouldn’t come from us or Nora Roberts.
There are plenty of other endangered animals out there. So I ask again, why are we contributing to the ferrets?
Oh-oh-OH!!!
Remember other matches that you may get from employers, too! I’m getting three-for-one out of my Ulysses S. Grant.
And my kids (we unschool) and I have had several *great* talks about plagiarism and its ramifications.
Now, I get to show them that something good came of this ugly circumstance. Nora Roberts helping to save endangered species - my children won’t ever complain about me reading one of her books again! :)
said on...Laura--
Why not?
Sure, there are plenty of other endangered animals, but why not this one? At least it’s concrete action.
Besides, it’s relevant to the discussion at hand. It’s not an apology, exactly, but it is using this unfortunate scandal to do some good.
Laura, as others much more eloquent than I have said in other threads here, poor Mr Tolmé not only was the victim of the prevalent stereotyping of romances as trash, but then he read a full CE novel in which his own creative writing was plagiarized for her profit.
Frankly, I think he’s entitled to be feeling a bit testy. And the ferrets can use whatever help they can get, regardless of his opinion of romance.
Plus, isn’t this a wonderful opportunity to educate both Mr Tolmé, his associates and his readers as to who romance readers actually are, and how good romance can be.
Plus, isn’t this a wonderful opportunity to educate both Mr Tolmé, his associates and his readers as to who romance readers actually are, and how good romance can be.
Absolutely. I hope that message comes across. I can’t help feeling this is an apologetic gesture though. And that should come from Edwards.
said on...I’ve been reading the Smart Bitches for a while now - love your sense of snarky humor in your reviews & other posts, but this inspired me to actually write a comment.
I’ve made my donation (went for the windbreaker) and just want to say that you rock and Nora Roberts is a real class act.
I think I missed something. We know Edwards copied from Paul Tolme’s piece on the endangered black footed ferret. And I read his romance genre insulting letter in response. So why are we contributing to the ferrets?
I’ll contribute to the ferrets for three reasons.
1) I didn’t find his attitude toward the romance genre to be any worse than most coming from somebody who knows little or nothing about it. If I let it bother me everytime somebody made remarks like that, my head would explode and I wouldn’t be able to write anymore.
2) Perhaps the next time he’s out on ferret watch and thinks of this incident, instead of only thinking of the one author who stole his words, he’ll think of romance authors contributing to the ferrets.
3) The Beastmaster (This might be the only time I’ll admit to mad fangirl love for that movie in public.)
~And that should come from Edwards.~
I don’t disagree, but I’m not holding my breath there.
Paul T is a victim--and his research, work and writing on the ferret was lifted without his permission. I can’t fault his opinion on the genre when I consider the circumstances. Just can’t.
It’s not like we’re sending him the money.
I feel this is a positive action, a way for the community to make a statement.
And to help out the cute little ferrets, or your wildlife of choice.
What an excellent idea.
It’s a shame he’s been victimized by Edwards, but the apology he’s due shouldn’t come from us or Nora Roberts.
It’s not an apology… it’s a positive action, the way I see it and a lovely one at that.
I just adopted a wolf.
said on...I have to agree with snarkhunter - yes, Tolme’s clueless about romance novels (I guess Paul missed that point that it was a couple of readers of romance who broke the story, eh?) Unfortunately it’s a pretty widespread prejudice. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t help Defenders of Wildlife out - they’re doing Good Stuff, and and it’s always good to support Good Stuff.
... But you know, the “What about the ferrets” bit in his Newsweek piece was pretty funny. Not because they’re endangered but because they’re ferrets. What is it about ferrets that’s so freakin’ hilarious anyway?
I didn’t find his attitude toward the romance genre to be any worse than most coming from somebody who knows little or nothing about it. If I let it bother me everytime somebody made remarks like that, my head would explode and I wouldn’t be able to write anymore.
Excellent point, Shannon. I hadn’t considered that.
All right, you little ferrets, prepare to be saved.
“We know Edwards copied from Paul Tolme’s piece on the endangered black footed ferret. And I read his romance genre insulting letter in response. So why are we contributing to the ferrets? It looks like an apology from romance writers/readers for what happened. It’s a shame he’s been victimized by Edwards, but the apology he’s due shouldn’t come from us or Nora Roberts.
There are plenty of other endangered animals out there. So I ask again, why are we contributing to the ferrets?”
Oh fer chris’sakes, I’m starting to get annoyed with us! Donating to the ferrets is not Romance Genre Apologia; you like bald eagles, give ‘em some cash. You wanna maybe help out large-mouthed bass, send dough. The guy who had his stuff stolen by Cassie Edwards is being damn swell about it, IMO. Like Nora said yesterday, let’s give the guy a pass, use this opportunity to redefine, in the publics’ eyes, what the best of the best can do in this genre, both in the quality of writing and the quality of being a part of a world that is bigger and less fortunate than ours. We can inspire with happy-ever-after endings in our books and writings, but only cash and awareness can save the endangered species. Honestly, don’t mean to be curt, I’m just a bit frustrated because here we have the perfect chance to open some eyes, and all we have to do is open our minds and open our wallets...or purses.
said on...Where do I get my “ferrets against plagiarism” t-shirt?
LOL! Oh, someone, please make one up for sale!!! I would totally wear this.
Good Laura! I hadn’t seen your response when I wrote mine. Like all of us, I’ve been following this situation very closely...if anything we can do for ferrets might also bring attention to the very nasty problem of plagiarism, I’m all for it, although each deserves our attention independent of the other, too. Ferrets and Ethics are both endangered.
Why are ferrets so funny? Beats me. They certainly never seemed amusing in person : ) Furry and cute, for sure, and because they’re furry and cute humans are drawn to them. There are many species--too many--that are threatened or endangered and need attention. If it takes cute ferrets to alert people to the plight of others then that’s worth the hullabaloo right there.
This is a great gesture, Ms. Roberts. As a former biology grunt who had too often heard that lack of funds killed important projects, I can’t say thank you enough. My Defenders donation will be on its way shortly.
Where do I get my “ferrets against plagiarism” t-shirt?
I’d totally buy one of those! Several, even.
All parties involved are made of win and awesome.
It took me a while to sort through the red tape but I sent a matching gift from my employer as well.
said on...Nora, you are just a DAMN good human being.
Can’t wait to visit the site and donate.
How great to feel good about SOMETHING regarding this whole debacle.
said on...On a serious note: Thanks to Paul Tolme for bringing our attention to the ferrets. The issue is larger than their extinction—it also addresses habitat loss, poaching of the environment, poisoning of the land.
Thanks to Nora for the wonderful gesture. This is a lady that constantly and consistently puts her money where her mouth is.
And thank you to the Bitches (and the Bitchery) for their collective outrage. Deeds such as those committed by Cassie Edwards should not go unpunished.
And on a less serious note: Has anyone gone to Mr. Tolme’s site yet and noticed how damned hawt he is? Seriously ladies, romance-hero hawt-worthy.
Just sayin.
I *heart* Nora.
I just want to say that I’ve loved your (Nora) work for years, but seeing you do something so wonderful as this is icing on the cake. I think you set a higher standard for us all to strive to.
Lord knows I want to be you when I grow up! LOL.
You’re a very classy lady.
I’ll also send in my donations if the paycheck allows it. :D
La Nora is a synonym for “classy”. It’s true! I Googled her name and came back with fifteen different articles on “awesome”. ;)
You’ve got my cash as soon as payday rolls around.
Since ferrets are getting so much love, I’ve made my donation in honor of the lynxes. (I recently sent Candy my findings on Savage Honor: multiple paragraphs ripped from a Sierra Magazine article on lynxes. Oh Cassie, why u rippin off poor endangered wildlife?)
Thank you, Nora!
Someone just mentioned to me that they noticed that their local Wal-Mart had restocked thier CE books including her backlist. It’s sad, really.
I’m so glad there is this positive way to make an economic statement.
Hmmm… how ‘bout writing to WalMart--and big bookstore chains who stock/sell Ms Edwards--about this? would that be legal?
said on...My first reaction when I saw Defenders in Wildlife responding to CE story was GREAT, something positive can come out of this debacle. Because what do nonprofits need most - money and publicity. I truly hope that they get some kind of settlement from CE, but already the publicity is working for them. Good for them. Now what would be awesome is if this matching donation drive got picked up by the media and voila, more publicity and more little ferrets (or panda bears or foxes or...) adopted.
Have to wait til my 3-year-old wakes up from her nap to see what animal she wants to adopt for her birthday. Whittling her down from all of them to just 1 or 2 will be the tough part.
Thanks Nora - excellent idea.
said on...how freaking cool is that? as a fellow animal lover, i heart u, Nora.
Fifteen hundred Smart Bitch Dollars!
Think of all the happy ferrets and lynxes (sp??), wolves and owls.
We’re rolling.
I just adopted Sirius the ferret. Mostly because the name Sirius made me sporfle for reasons I can’t explain. (Kind of the way ferrets in general crack me up...)
said on...I donated - didn’t see any place to indicate that this was in conjunction with the Nora Roberts fund, however.
also, does anyone know of a charity that helps Native Americans reclaim their heritage? I’d so donate to that, in CE’s name…
-becca
Dang Y’all- give me a chance to get my check in the bank!
$2200.00 since this morning??!!!
said on...I want a “Ferrets against plagiarism” T-shirt too.
Also, I’m waiting for news on the “Savage Ferrets and the Virgin Brides Who Loves Them” novel.
Hmm. I see Harry has been adopted. I had my eye on him. Sirius is a cutie too though...hmm.
Spamfoiler:company56. The company will be my newly adopted ferret ;>
Aw, Ocy snapped up Sirius. Those ferrets are going fast as anything.
said on...ferrets against plagiarism
If you are interested in getting a T-shirt that says this, ping me. My BIL is an artist and professional screenprinter. He’d be more than happy to create such a T-shirt for anyone who wants one, with 10% of the proceeds to go to Wildlife Defenders. For the screenprint T-shirt, it would be a one-color, but he can also do custom airbrushing as well (price would be higher for customization).
I’m off to make my donation to donation to WD and get my cool magazine subscription.
Forgot to mention in my last post - SBs and Nora, thank you! What a great idea! It turns something unpleasant down a positive road and helps a good cause.
said on...Just adopted Clover. My girls are thrilled to “have” a ferret.
<
How about something like “Smart Bitches...ferret out plagiarism.”?
Hmm. I see Harry has been adopted. I had my eye on him. Sirius is a cutie too though...hmm.
Harry is MINE! I’m willing to bet the guys and gals over at the ferret site are going to be gobsmacked by the avalanche about to hit them (and all the people saying they found them via SmartBitches). I wonder if they have enough ferrets? LOL!
Huzzah for the Smart Bitches and Nora Roberts! I posted about this on my own site. Maybe 50 people read it on a good day, but I’m hoping one or two of them will be inspired to donate as well :)
Aw, I did mine wrong. I made a donation but I didn’t adopt a ferret. Blast it!
I want a shirt with this one it (hope it works):
heheehe ok tongue in cheek here.
Since everyone wants a shirt, I updated my cafepress site and put a little something up. Hope everyone likes it and I didn’t use the word ferret so I hope someone else didn’t say this (if they did I swear I didn’t know!!) So visit my cafepress site. http://www.cafepress.com/writersnook
I would have places a ferret pic in the background and will change it to show ferrets if I can find a image that is copyright free :D (so if someone has a pic of their pet ferret for me to use send it to me! :D
on on not one
said on...Donation sent.
Nora Roberts, you rock in so very many ways.
As do all the Bitches, really. I love this place!
Kalen, if I didn’t love you already, I would fall for you now.
I want one of those!!!
said on...I was gonna donate $10 til I realized I had to donate it through your site. I’ll just send ‘em $20 directly.
Vanessa, you don’t have to donate thru this site. That’s just the link to Defenders of Wildlife. You can donate directly to Defenders, copy your receipt, then send that SB Sarah and it will go towards Nora’s matching contribution.
Vanessa,
I don’t understand your comment. The link in the post goes straight to the donation page of Defenders of Wildlife; the money anyone chooses to donate DOES go to them directly. Then, if you choose, you can send SB Sarah a copy of your receipt, and she can add your amount to the total that Nora will donate. I don’t see any way that any money goes “through” this site. Traffic to the Defender’s web site, maybe, but not actual dinero.
Or maybe this:
Nora’s offer to match expires 31 January 2008, so please get your donations in by then.
Nice to see this won’t be a problem at the pace this has been going!
Thank goodness payday has just arrived and I was able to join in too. It gives me the warm and fuzzies to know that all us bitches can do some good together. :)
I only realized after I made a donation that I could’ve adopted an animal. What a cute idea! Maybe I’ll do that as a gift for a family member.
I don’t see this as an apology at all. As others have said, it’s a way to do something positive—for a very worthy cause—in response to a negative situation. I think Mr. Tolmé’s article in Newsweek was witty, to the point, and completely fair. And if this book was his introduction to the genre, who can blame him for getting a negative opinion of romance novels? I can’t.
The apology has to come from Edwards and, to a lesser degree, her publishers.
First we save the ferrets…
next ...the WORLD!!!
WWND!
Applauds the community !!
Played follow the links and found my way here.
Donation of $25.00
For the ferrets
You know… maybe we should be having a “design a t-shirt” contest. Anyone?
Ocy said: You know… maybe we should be having a “design a t-shirt” contest. Anyone?
I think that’s a great idea! I second the suggestion.
said on...I’m laughing hysterically at the idea of a “Ferrets against plagiarism” t-shirt. I love Kalen’s design, only I couldn’t use something that has the word “bitch” on it in class.
I’ve added to the donation tally. I adopted a penguin to give to my mother since she’s fascinated by the creatures. Also, I didn’t want to get into a wrestling match with Kalen over any ferrets.
I’m so glad Nora proposed this. As others have said, it’s a great way to turn a lot of negativity into something positive and non-profits like this need all the help they can get.
Now if we can just figure out how to get Mr. Tolme to read some good romances.
Chryssa
verification word—himself54.
Ah yes, inspiration comes in interesting forms. So, if “himself”, Mr. Tolme, is reading any of these comments, I’ll kick in another donation if he agrees to read an SB recommended romance and report back in.
Because I obviously have too much time on my hands:
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/members/products/preview.aspx?s=ciaralira.0
Nora you are Awesome.
aaaaa, if only I could spell. Let me fix that. how embarrassing!
Here we go: http://www.cafepress.com/ciaralira
And to think I was worried about spelling ferret incorrectly!
![](http://images.cafepress.com/product/215043925v1_240x240_Front.jpg")
said on...Ciaralira, that link takes me to a sign-in screen, not the actual items.
oye.
said on...Just made my donation and forwarded my email to Sarah.
So are the ferrets now the smartbitches mascot?
Now lets see if Nora can introduce the ferrets into the In Death books. Maybe Roarke drags Eve to a save the ferrets fundraiser?
Oh, holy jumping wowzer! I gotta get me one of those tee-shirts!
They RULE!
I want a tee or a tote,too!
And Roarke can’t fund the ferrets; he’s already sponsoring Save the Moles. They’d eat us!
Query: Does the matching donation work only for Defenders of Wildlife? They don’t have adoptable ferrets. What if I gave my money to http://blackfootedferret.org/adoption.html instead? Would that still count?
Note: You can get a really adorable plush ferret (though not black-footed) for $55 from the Smithsonian Store.
I dedicate this latest book cover to Paul Tolme
http://bunionblog.blogspot.com/
.
.
.
(These things are getting WAY to addicitive.)
Shannon, the Beastmaster? ROFL There’s nothing like 118 minutes of Marc Singer without a shirt.
Karmela, I noticed Mr. Tolme’s hawtness. I’ve been trying to figure out how to Photoshop a kilt on the man since breakfast.
Nora, it’s repetitive I know, but you rock.
Thanks for keeping us informed SBs. Off to adopt a beluga whale.
said on...I’ve been a member of Defenders since forever. I think I even remember seeing the ferret story. Got a couple of pens, my calenders, a key chain, a book mark, a backpack, a wolf that if you squeeze it’s sides it howls, and a polar bear (I think I got it from them; it may have come from World Wildlife Fund). I guess a ferret would be cool. Or an owl or lynx. Friday, Friday…
You know, Defenders is working to save several species. I say go with your favorite. You could even donate the amount of one of CE’s books times two or three or four. Pretend you’re taking money away from her to save cute, furry creatures.
You wouldn’t mind, would you Nora?
said on...
01.16.08 at 07:15 AM |