Plagiarism & other rage-inducing things.
Last night, a reader who’d been searching for something at Amazon emailed us. She’d been looking for more Last Call books after having read the first two (kind of– getting to that in a minute). When she found them in the Kindle store, she realized they had a different name attached than the one with which she was familiar.
That’s right. Someone named Angela Priest has been posting “The Supernatural Bar of Last Calls Series” and other books on various sites like Smashwords, Scribd and Bookrix, (edit: Wattpad as well, who took down our books but left her account) places meant for people to share their own work with others.
Let’s observe some similarities between the title Hurricane that she’s posted and our book that was released from Changeling Press in 2008.
The blurb she posted:
Artist and witch Flora Logger hasn’t had an orgasm since a bitter ex cursed her five years ago. Whenever she gets aroused, bad things happen. Now, she’s come to Last Call in hopes of gaining an audience with — and help from — its owner, a powerful wizard named Bernard Delacruz. If anyone can break the curse, it’s him. And if he won’t come downstairs to meet with her, she’ll bump and grind until his bar caves in from the backlash. Hurricane: Contents under magical pressure. Experience required. Bernard doesn’t get involved with patrons… not even the hot, sexually frustrated ones. But when a lush-looking reddish-blonde threatens to wreck his bar with her curse and her need, he decides it’s time to take matters — and her — into his own hands. After all, even if he can’t break the curse, he can certainly ease her frustration. And what powerful wizard doesn’t love a challenge?
The blurb from Hurricane:
Artist and witch Fiona Logan hasn’t had an orgasm since a bitter ex cursed her five years ago. Whenever she gets aroused, bad things happen. Now, she’s come to Last Call in hopes of gaining an audience with — and help from — its owner, a powerful wizard named Benito D’Cruze. If anyone can break the curse, it’s him. And if he won’t come downstairs to meet with her, she’ll bump and grind until his bar caves in from the backlash.
Hurricane: Contents under magical pressure. Experience required.
Ben doesn’t get involved with patrons… not even the hot, sexually frustrated ones. But when a lush looking blonde threatens to wreck his bar with her curse and her need, he decides it’s time to take matters — and her — into his own hands. After all, even if he can’t break the curse, he can certainly ease her frustration. And what powerful wizard doesn’t love a challenge?
Hmm. Like…really? Changing Fiona Logan to Flora Logger?! Not only is it lazy and wrong, it’s terrible theft. What a horrible name. It sounds like a medical condition.
This woman isn’t selling our work as her own for money, but she’s certainly doing it for feedback. On several sites, as people told her they loved the books and encouraged her to write more, she beamed and gushed and told them she would, as time permitted. I guess Search/Replace takes a while.
A screenshot paragraph from her literary offering:
(It’s a screenshot because I couldn’t copy/paste the text she’d posted. Ironic, yes?)
The corresponding opener of Hurricane:
Fiona took one last look at the printed menu in her hand and grimaced at her friend. “I don’t need a drink. I need help.”
“Honey, this place is chock full of hot wizards.” Jenn snatched the menu out of Fiona’s hands and studied the back of it. “And this menu’s the key. We just have to decode it. Maybe they have a drink for ‘My castrated jackass of an ex cursed me to a life free of orgasms, contents under pressure.’ Like… oh shit, you can get in on a vampire/werewolf threesome? Hot.”
Wow, literal Search/Replace. What won’t people do?
Anyway, we emailed all the sites. Mark from Smashwords was particularly awesome, investigating immediately and removing the offender’s profile, citing their zero-tolerance policy for such things. Kudos to them.
But y’all should check this woman out. Late-night Twitter peeps have indicated that some of her other offerings look like they’ve been ripped off from Shiloh Walker and even Nora Roberts. (Let’s take a moment at that. La Nora? LA NORA? Is there a sane person on this planet who thinks cribbing her work is a good idea? WTF.)
So put out the word. Take a good look at this lady. This is the face of someone who thinks it’s okay to steal what others have written, put her own name on it, and take the credit.
This is a plagiarist.
UPDATE, 6/29 @ 6:21 pm
It seems that someone doesn’t like the takedown notices. In case anyone was wondering if this slimeball was suffering from a terminal case of stupid, the answer is yes and no. Observe her comment to another user today on Booksie:
UPDATE, 6/30 @ 11 am (by Bree this time!)
Angela Priest has issued two apologies on our livejournal (where this was mirrored last night due to server issues). In response, we’ve asked her to take down the rest of her copied work, including the massive amounts of artwork copied from deviantART that she doesn’t seem to realize is also stealing. At this point we’re hoping that she’ll agree to take down everything on her own without the hassle of every single copyright holder reporting her individually. I suppose we’ll see.
Also, thanks to hard work behind the scenes, artists at deviantART are working on getting the artwork removed.
UPDATE, 7/4 @ Noon:
All of the offending works seem to have been removed, with the exception of those on her Scribd account. The only work missing from there is the one where the artist from whom the cover art was stolen was able to report the book. Through this whole sordid adventure, books and art have come down pretty much as they’re reported by a copyright holder and not before, casting some doubts on her apology and promise of future good intentions. The most generous interpretation is that she uploaded plagiarized and stolen content to so many sites that she can’t remember where to go to remove it all.
Thanks to everyone who helped out during this mess, and who tracked down artists and copyright holders. And especially thanks to Lindsay, who e-mailed us after she realized that the books she’d gotten for free weren’t above board. She helped a lot of people find out that their work had been stolen, so she’s our hero. 
Categories: All Posts, The Writing Life · Tags: blah
I just…I have no words. Seriously. Just….WTF? WTF! My eyes roll. And I’m sorry this happened to you. It’s unfairr, it’s not right, and it’s just relaly crappy.
OMG! Such blatant stealing. She should be ashamed of herself…but likely isn’t. At least (so far) she hasn’t actually profited from her actions.
I am stunned. Absolutely stunned. And so very sorry this happened to you and Donna.
*looks at Booksie profile* I guess it’s understandable that she’d need to plagiarize your (and anyone else’s) books, if that’s how she uses punctuation. A whole novel written like that wouldn’t be readable past the first page.
Oh my God! What’s up with everyone plagriarising? It makes me so sad and damn angry!! Now I totally get your rage hangover. And she didn’t even change anything besides the names! And please instead of Benicio Bernard? Rellay?! grr *takes deep breath* So sorry for this horrible mess
This person is also taking commissioned cover art that is not for sale(Grave Draven’s Master of Crow’s art) and slapping it on other stolen books(Nora Roberts’ The Circle Trilogy is what is being claimed).
This is not Piracy or plagiarism. It is flat out THEFT.
This is appalling! Are you going to prosecute? This is plagiarism of the worst kind. (Not that there’s a good kind!)
This is the ORIGINAL art and it even says NOT FOR SALE.
http://phuriedae.deviantart.com/art/Beyond-Neith-132392864
That is simply AWFUL. And I bet thats not the persons picture..she or he…prob ripped it off facebook somewhere.
In related news, I have not yet read this series, but the excerpt and blurb sound AWESOME. I’m sure I won’t be the only one purchasing these books today.
*SheoftheSilverLining
Wow. I’m sad that you and Donna have to go through this, but I’m glad that you aren’t letting her get away with it. Shame on her.
Has someone told Nora Roberts? This plagiarist won’t be around much longer
*hugs* to both you and Donna. I can’t believe the audacity of some people…
I do hope that there is something you can do. This is absolutely horrible. I just can’t believe that this stuff happens.
Anyone in Boise, IH who wants to drop her a phone call? Tell her La Nora will be setting the lawyers on her tail soon enough.
The utter gall. A pox on her head, to start.
Are. You. F*cking. KIDDING?!
Who does this? Seriously, who the hell pulls this kind of crap? Oh, wait. I know. Talentless hacks suffering from a terminal case of The Stupids.
On another note, think about sending the talentless hack a thank-you note. This appalling stunt pointed out what great writers you are, so I’m now an official Moira Rogers fan.
Sounds like Cassie all over again, what a dumbass…
(((hugs)))
Why do people think they can get away with this? And why do they think it is all right? I hate thieves!!
Thanks to the commenters who mentioned she stole the cover of Grace Draven’s book. I happen to be the artist, and you better believe I didn’t sell her any of the rights, and she certainly didn’t contact me about it.
This is my displeased face. Are you guys going to be taking any action against her?
At this point, we’re focusing on making her take them down. If you need any info on who to contact to report abuse on the sites where she’s used your art, let me know.
I have the info, thank you! I’m working on it. I also recognised a few of her “free book covers” and will be letting those artists know.
Good! Someone else I know is going to try to get some more eyes on those covers so that maybe the artists or people who recognize the art can get involved. A lot of these sites only remove what they’re legally required to remove (as notified by the copyright holder), which makes it really hard to shut down someone who’s passing work off as her own.
OH! MY! F*ING! GOD!
I can’t believe the nerve! I am simply stunned. So sorry this happened to you guys and hope it is soon resolved.
@Louise Gallie – amazingly beautiful picture!
WOW! Just wow! Not cool.
So sorry this has happened.
I’m completely disgusted by this. I’m so sorry this has happened to you guys. =(
Holy freaking moly! Absolutely insane! I’m so sorry.
You guys need to prosecute and make her take down her website. Totally disgusting!
There are no words for how wrong that is. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.
That’s just…gasp-worthy. And most of her “books” on Bookrix are compilations of “free” cover art “for authors to use for their books” that are reproductions of copyrighted images from anywhere she could grab them.
I noticed that, and it’s particularly awful because an artist from one of the books will have to lodge their own complaints, most likely, to get any of them removed. But they’d have to know the art is there first.
Oh plagiarisers…They make my blood boil. I’m really sorry to say that it isn’t an unusual occurrence and I speak from experience. I’ve been plagiarised…wait for it….THREE times!! Warnings and copyright notices don’t stop some people. They want praise and see that you’re getting it and think, ‘I want some of that too’.
What they don’t seem to realise is that you spent months of your life working to earn that praise. Feedback isn’t something writers take lightly and to try and take someone else’s as your own makes my stomach turn. I was actually writing about plagiarism a few days ago for my blog and just remembering how I felt each time someone else told me they’d found a copy of my work under someone else’s name made me want to tear my hair out!!
Have you contacted her directly and told her that you’re on to her?
If you’d like I can send you a copy of my plagiarism template. Yes, you heard right, I have a template for plagiarism….How bad is that?
If you contact her directly and make the readers on those sites aware that what they’re reading is stolen it should be removed fairly quickly. Unless she’s posted on brownpride, in which case the readers will argue AGAINST you and demand proof that you wrote your own books but that’s another matter entirely. I really hope she takes it all down quickly.
Holy crap! Not only is she stealing author’s words for her books and artist works for her covers, but she’s offering “free” cover art to people using copyrighted images? What kind of idiot is this?
Moira, have you sent anything over to the Smart Bitches or Dear Author. I known Sarah and Jane are at RWA now, but I bet they’d be interested in hearing about this. Someone swiping from la Nora…I’m not sure if that’s brass balls or just sheer stupidity.
WTF!!!! First, commiserations on this scum stealing from you. She’s as bad as a pirate downloading your books for free.
Second, if someone finds out that this gal has cribbed Nora, someone should tell Nora, because that scum bucket would be in court so fast it would make her head spin.
And I wonder Berkley would go after anyone who steals from one of their authors, such as Shiloh.
Amazing, just amazing what people will do.
Just WRONG!!
That’s so freaking ballsy! The woman needs to be tarred and feathered, then sued. Wonder if ‘her’ other works are stolen as well?
You girls are fantastic writers, and, sad to say, it’s why she plagiarized.
Is she mental or something? I can’t think of any other reason for this. I really hope you, the other authors, artists and publishers that are affect do go after her. She probably doesn’t have much but let it be an example. I don’t understand plagerism. I am so sorry that you had to go through this. It sucks rocks!
That’s so freaking ballsy! The woman needs to be tarred and feathered, then sued. Wonder if ‘her’ other works are stolen as well?
You girls are fantastic writers, and, sad to say, it’s why she plagiarized.
I’m sorry ladies.
I’m so sorry you guys are going through this. Like I said to you yesterday: This is disgusting! I can’t believe this sad excuse for a woman thought she could get away with this. Totally unacceptable.
I hope karma pays her back for this crime!
A guide???? A guide??? OMG!
It was a guide! She just followed it word for word because she’s good with directions!
This made my blood boil so I can only imagine how you must be feeling. I’m sorry.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…but let’s face it. Copying somebody else’s hard work and calling it yours if flipping STEALING. It’s horrific and the kind of thing beginning writers are always afraid will happen and experienced writers assure them will never happen.
Yeah, okay. Experienced writers were WRONG. It does happen. Unbelievable, sincerely. The only good thing I can find in this is that you and La Nora were robbed! Which must mean you have stuff worth stealing. Congrats on that. Like, uh, huh?? LOL Okay, yeah, no congrats. But that book is great…I have to admit I wish my name was on it. Hey, wait a second… Kidding.
Hang in there, ladies. You totally rock, and slimeball idiots are everywhere.
*tangent* Actually, I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say that plagiarism per se never happens. The situation that beginning writers are afraid of, and that experienced writers say will never happen, is of a big-name author/publisher stealing the beginning writer’s work — basically the reverse of this situation. *end tangent*
Um. Wow. I’m on a cross country road trip & can’t do jack until I have a for real connection – not my iPhone. But she can rest assured she will be getting similar notices from
Me about her so called ‘grimms’.
[[so alled 'grimms']]
I KNOW. I saw that and instantly thought of you, Shiloh!
In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny, “What a maroon!”
What an effing dipshidiot! Used it for a guide my ever expanding ass! It was freaking word for word. Did she NOT think anyone would find out? Apparently, she’s a few watermelons short of a load. OMFG!
Wow. The nerve. I am fascinated whether it’s sheer stupidity or she really thought she could get away with it. That’s crazy.
And Louisa, the artist? Your work is amazing. I’m browsing your gallery right now. Seriously. Artist envy right now.
Wow! Have you heard from the other sites yet? I sent an email to Alyson Noel about hers as well. Happy to hear smash words was so helpful and quick acting.
Yeah the word STUPID doesn’t even cut it for this lady. WOW! I think she needs to be described as more then one word.
blockhead, bonehead, cretin, dimwit, dork, dumbbell, dunce, fool, ignoramus, imbecile, jerk, kook, moron, muttonhead, nincompoop, ninny, nitwit, out to lunch, pinhead, simpleton, stupid, tomfool, twit
YUP THAT ABOUT COVERS HER.
Amazing…not surprising, but amazing in the audacity. Her excuse for her actions (how can copying an entire book be considered “using a guide”?) shows how clueless she is.
Egads.
I am so very sorry.
While on theft, I thought I would post this link that GA Hauser posted on her FB today. [link removed]
This is a torrent site and this particular perso has uploaded over 400 books last month and over 700 this month. At one glance I seen La.Nora, Kresley Cole, JR Ward, and Kieran Kramer. This sites excuse is their servers aren’t based in the US, therefore the copyright rules don’t apply. Even my. DH knows who La Nora is and he’s disgusted as well.
Hey, Bobbie. I edited the link out of your comment because I don’t like linking to torrent sites. I figure there’s no reason to send more people to them.
I know it will sound weird, seeing how annoyed I am by the plagiarism, but I actually find piracy to be a different problem, and one that doesn’t bother me as much. But I know I might be unusual in that.
Either way, thanks for the comment!
No problem Bree. I understand perfectly. I was just trying to do my part and give you a heads up. I am flabbergasted that this person actually thought she’d get away with it. I will definitely be on the lookout for any thing like this in the future and I know who to contact if I see anything. Again, I am so sorry this has happened….
I totally understand and massively appreciate it!
Thanks so much.
I am pretty sure sure just stole the Grimm series by Shiloh Walker. I tweeted her – but if you have more contact with her I would let her know.
Shiloh has been alerted. I recognized them, too, and contacted her last night.
How is she doing her own series if her series is cut and pasted from another? How dare you make her take down the series she painstakingly cut/pasted/stole. It took her hours.
I can’t believe this. I mean I should, but it’s just mind-blowing that this is happening to you and other authors. I’ve heard of one other case, but it was nowhere as bad, and was discovered and removed quickly. I have been pirated, but I wasn’t as disturbed by that as I am about this.
Well, at least her response was classier than Cassandra Clare’s. She took down her shit immediately instead of try and defend her claim it totally wasn’t plagiarism.
yeah… “based off of” only if based off of mean search and replace. i mean, she didn’t even TRY to change one sentence! the name jenn is even the same! wow. this really is a disturbing trend. get your own work people.
My daughter was plagiarized and then abused by the plagiarist. Dealing with them can be very painful. In my daughter’s case, he took another pseudonym and did it all over again. This one of yours needs to be taken down as completely as possible so that she cannot keep doing it to you and others.
Already left a comment on LJ but in case you don’t check it soon, just wanted to bring the (((hugs))) here.
I saw an apology from her on your LJ that popped up while I was writing a comment. I hope that means it’s over and she really did take down everything by all the authors she ripped off.
Good luck and All Speed resolving this.
(((Double Hugs)))
~X
A terminal case of stupid indeed. Do you have any legal recourse?
Wow guys
I thought at first, NO REALLY? Come on
I said maybe, she chose you guys because she thought you were up and coming (HER THING NOT MINE) and no one would notice. But then I kept reading and Shiloh walker? L.a Nora .
Then it hit me. She F@@KED UP when she started on you. I wonder how may more of “HER WORKS” went unnoticed before she grabbed your books” AS A GUIDE”. You have loyal friends/readers who know your work. And that my friend is kudos to you two. WE GOT YOUR BACK!!!! Keep’m coming.
PS. I work at a public library and am doing my best to introduce my patrons to the Paranormal life!!!!
I just want to give a huge thank you to the reader who contacted you. The plagerist could have kept on doing this if that one reader hadn’t spoken up. Kudos.
I’m sorry this has happened to you. That was a really rotten thing to do. Several weeks ago, I stumbled upon an author’s blog. She’s new to me and I can’t recall her name but the same thing had happened to her. Some “person” had taken her free reads and was selling them on Amazon!
I hope these crooks can be legally punished.
Just want to let you know that I respect and support all of you “true” writers.
If she’s swiping Nora Roberts’ work, those who spot the theft should inform Nora. Nora has lawyers. You know, those things that eat great white sharks for breakfast?
On the plus side here, I discovered your blog and your books because of this! (A friend sent me the link.)
I haz no words – but just UGH
There must be something in the air because this is 5th incident about this issue that I read or heard about this month. She’s also seriously deluded to think she could get away with this. *HUGS*
I’d still send the lawyers over to pound on her door. Stupid woman. I’d send over CPS to see if she’s encouraging her children to steal as well, since she seems to have no idea of what the concept is.
Grr.
Seriously! Someone actually did that….!!??!!
Ugh, my sympathies. There seems to have been a rash of that lately. Last week someone was selling an ebook I put out with the credits removed. I only caught it after it started doing quite well. The whole thing made me sick, but people were really responsive and it got taken care of (mostly).
Glad you’ve been seeing responses and action on this. Hope it all gets resolved.
I’m so sorry, Ruth.
It’s terrible, and so much more terrible when they’re making money on your hard work.
I keep thinking her name and that pic seems familiar, but it’s probably not real. When I owned my website I had so many problems like this. One women copied pages from my website word or word– even took the fricking graphics. When I confronted her she claimed since it was on the internet for all to see it was okay to copy. I had a Basil article taken over and over again– geesh. Couldn’t they look up their own info? I’m afraid to even look on ebay any longer. A friend bought an ebook thinking it sounded like my writing- it was– word for word. I complained to ebay and they did nothing. Ugh.
These people have GOT to know they are stealing–I refuse to believe anyone is that fricking ignorant. What the hell does “as a guide” mean? I’m so mad I could spit.
This is so sad and makes me rage like you. I’m sorry this happened to you.
This is just terrible.
I’m so sorry you have to go through this.
But you know what is so bizarre?
I suspect this woman has very little insight in to what she is actually doing, and how wrong it is on so many levels.
Such a pathetic thing to do. Good news is that it seems to have brought new people to you but it has put some attention on her too. I certainly hope that she is not enjoying this type of spotlight but I have a feeling she is. I love that you are willing to take a stand and call her out! That is one more reason why I love y’all!
KittyKelly
Am so sorry this shiz happened, but glad it was found out about!
I hope that somehow you still manage to have a good 4th of July!
OMG! Wow…I’m so glad this was taken care of, but I’m sorry you had to go through it. Good for you for taking her on!
Yes I am writing to say that I was wrong. Way wrong, I’ve taken down everything I’ve written and don’t plan on writing again. I love to read and I knew better than this. I am truly sorry and hope that you can forgive me. I love your books and will continue to be an avid reader. You will never ever see a book on my page on Bookrix that has anything to do with your work. Sorry again I hope you can forgive me. I know that I deserve all that has and is being said and I take the comments in stride. Please if you can forgive me I will never do this again. I have never done it before and will never do it in the future.
Yours Truly
Angela Priest
http://www.scribd.com/angela_priest_2/shelf
Two of the books that seem to be poor re-workings of La Nora’s The Circle trilogy are still in her Scribd library. Unfortunately, I can’t figure out how to report them. Does anyone else think that these books seem awfully similar to The Circle books or am I crazy?
OK sorry about that again I have made sure that all of my books are now gone. Myranda thank you for letting me know that they still were up. I thought I had deleted them yesterday but I must have only deleted them from the view point and not just the whole account. Now they have been taken completely off of everywhere. Sorry again, it will never happen again.
Angela Priest
Now to make sure of this I have cancelled my account to scribd. I am no longer going to write what so ever.
Your Truly
Angela Priest
HOLY CRAP! I’m just well, stunned. The upside is now I know about your books and I’m very interested! I’m adding them to my TBR pile.