I received this letter in my inbox a few moments ago from Travis Livieri, who worked with Paul Tolme on the original story about black footed ferrets, and who is currently the Executive Director of Prairie Wildlife Research:
it’s really encouraging to see so many people become interested in black-footed ferrets. It’s obvious to me that your website users are very passionate about romance novels and I can really appreciate passion for something. I’ve been working in the field with black-footed ferrets for 12 years, giving my best to restore this beautiful creature and I’m always amazed at the interest and generosity of folks when they learn about black-footed ferrets.
Paul has been a classy and generous gentleman in how he has handled the ‘controversy’ and we’ve both enjoyed the buzz this has created, particularly because it has focused attention on the plight of black-footed ferrets and endangered species. We’ve seen an immediate increase in the ‘adoption’ of black-footed ferrets (www.prairiewildlife.org and www.blackfootedferret.org , same adoption program) and the donation challenge by Nora Roberts with Defenders of Wildlife are tremendous examples of how wonderful romance novel readers are! 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.
Have a great day!
Travis
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.
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.