Entry tags:

author entitlement, books that should be burned, can't escape the screencaps, crazy people, do your research, doesn't mean what you think it means, enormous clusterfuck, fandom entitlement, fandom: twilight, fanfic, i don't know my rights, i know it because of my learnings, illegality, internet lawyers, lawyerism, oh christ here we go again, oppression, persecution, plucky girl detective, self-publishing, she's on a mission guys!, this is the wank that never ends, wankers who will not shut up, writers are often pompous douches, yay screencaps!

The Russet Doom Saga, Part II
For those just tuning in:

Lady Sybilla wanted to put out Russet Noon, her tribute sequel to the Twilight Saga via sockpuppet publisher. Smeyer never drew her characters, so this totally wasn't copyright infringement. She put out press releases, a Youtube reading, and listed her book on eBay months and months before she intended to make it available.

Then, of course, the "massive hate campaign" began. Darn Earth logic!

I myself wrote no less than four separate versions of a wank report, as I tried to keep on top of everything (and eventually lost my grip on sanity).

Lady Sybilla did not take this well. She pretend-banned the russet-noon site, taking down its former glory, then changed it to goad voyeurs.

And what did I get for my efforts? Emails from Lady Sybs herself.

Now she's put up a message directing us to the interview she did at a Brazilian fan site.

In the words of Stephenie Meyer, "When a story demands to be written, there's no way to resist."

Yes, Sybsy baby, and your story demands to be put down. Um, I mean the reports on you, not Russet Noon. Your tomfoolery must be chronicled for posterity the lulz.

But wait, there's more! Aaaaaaand she's back to writing press releases. It's the Foforks interview with this blurb at the end:

AV Paranormal Publishing is an independent publisher in the Los Angeles area. We publish online books, digital art and paperback novels. No unsolicited manuscript submissions are considered. We accept query emails with a short synopsis. Email your queries to submissions@avparanormal.com

O rly? Also the Twilight Lexicon is back to smacking her down. Kisses, kids!

And guess what just came up in my Google reader? This post by Karen Knows Best! Which led me to go and check...yes! Lee Goldberg is back on the case!

Now, for the tl;dr:

Email #1:

Documentation
Hello, Caito,

I see you've been documenting all the evidence of your online stalking activities. Awesome. I've made a note of everything. Are you really in Japan, or is that a false address? Did you know that I have a direct number for the administrator of Journalfen.net? Did you know that I've also learned that your girlf.net site is hosted by LAUGHINGSQUID.NET?

I'm not going to submit a complain to any of these people. I'm not the type of person that pays an eye for an eye. I'm giving you the opportunity to stop your stalking activities. If you don't, I will notify as many administrators as I have to until they take action. It's not worth it. Think about it.

Take good care of yourself.

This was after she'd put in a support request, by the way, but before it was answered.

Email #2:

you forgot
You forgot my comment on Dal Jeanis' blog

Sybilla said...

What's the matter, Dal? Can't handle the ironic duality of worldwide popularity?

Hmmm . . . I wonder what universe I should take over next? Star Wars, Harry Potter, or perhaps Lord of the Rings.

Oh, Dear! So many choices, so little time!

Email #3:

Truce
Caito,

I'm not your enemy. I don't hold you responsible for the hate campaign. I actually love the way you changed your approach and I love the character you created. It's hilarious, honestly. I'm not being sarcastic.

I apologize if my first email to you came off as a passive aggressive threat. Please understand that I'm a human being with flaws just like you. I'm sure you wouldn't want people to ridicule you and hate you the way they're doing to me.

Anyway, I'm not gonna keep emailing you, since I don't want to be a pest, but I do want to tell you that I admit I was wrong. I shouldn't have used someone else's characters to build my story. If it makes you feel better, after I issued refunds to every last one of my buyers, I lost money. I also lost all my affiliates. I won't ever be able to make a penny off of Russet Noon.

Now I'm forced to publish the novel on my website for free without any hope of being compensated for the hard work I've put into this project. But that's okay, I know I have to face the consequences of my actions. I've learned a great lesson as a result of this experience.

I know I can't stop you from writing about me on your journal, but I ask you humbly to please stop making accusations against me. Show mercy for me today, and tomorrow someone will show you mercy.

Everyone in this world deserves redemption.

Sincerely,
Sybilla

My response to Email #3 and her response to my response (Email #4) in bold:

Re: Truce

Sybilla,

I'm not your enemy. I don't hold you responsible for the hate campaign.

You're not my enemy, but I've definitely been antagonizing you. If reporting on your activities to a mockery community counts as antagonizing.

Yes, but why antagonize someone you don't even know?  I'm sure you have better things to do than just reporting on my every move.  That's the stalkarazzi's job.  Is that what you aim to be?

Also, what is it with this hate campaign? Mostly I see bloggers chuckling at your feeble attempt to break into publishing by literally riding Steph Meyer's coattails. Have you been spammed by emails? Did someone hack into your site? Or are you honestly surprised that you put out press releases and got people talking about your product?

Not at all, I intended for this to be a controversy from the moment I conceived of the idea.  What bothers me is that, even now that I've admitted I was wrong and I've sincerely apologized, you guys are still attacking me.  I've issued refunds to all my buyers and lost my affiliates.  I'm not planning on making any money off this novel.  What more can I do?

Please understand that I'm a human being with flaws just like you. I'm sure you wouldn't want people to ridicule you and hate you the way they're doing to me.

I would love for you to expand more on my flaws. Please please please please please.

Well, I was under the impression that all human beings have flaws.  If you're superhuman and have no flaws, then excuse the assumption. 

Also, you're not the first person to experience ridicule and hate, and you won't be the last. Thanksgiving comes each year without fail, and there's always a new turkey waiting to be roasted and then ripped to shreds. And as to whether or not it's happened to me? Lordy. Where the hell do you think I got my sense of humor and thick skin?

Alright, that's fine.  But, ultimately, what do you want from me?  What do you expect to accomplish by documenting my every move?  Now you even have a video on YouTube quoting my email.  When will this obsession end?  Seriously, don't you have better things to do?

I do want to tell you that I admit I was wrong.

Good.

If it makes you feel better, after I issued refunds to every last one of my buyers, I lost money. I also lost all my affiliates.

You'd have probably lost a lot more if you'd actually gone all the way through with your plans. Do you realize how your actions would have impacted the Twilight fan community? Stephenie Meyer has flipped her fucking shit for far less.

SM couldn't care less about Russet Noon.  If she thought I was such a threat, she would have had one of her reps contact me.  She hasn't made any public statements or anything.  She's not concerned with this at all.  Why are you guys making this into such a big deal?  If anyone is in a position to do something about it is her, and she's not moving a finger. 

I won't ever be able to make a penny off of Russet Noon... Now I'm forced to publish the novel on my website for free without any hope of being compensated for the hard work I've put into this project.

Welcome to the world of every other fanfic writer in every other fandom.

Believe me, I learned my lesson already.  I'm glad that this was a humbling experience for me.  And it also showed me that the burden I feel to tell this story has nothing to do with money.  Otherwise I would've pulled the project altogether, now that I know I stand to make no profit off it whatsoever.

I know I can't stop you from writing about me on your journal, but I ask you humbly to please stop making accusations against me.

This requires more explanation, because I just don't know what you're on about. I have no idea what you want me to do, honestly. I didn't know after you sent me that first email, and I don't know now. You're going to have to be more specific.

Two examples just to be brief: 1 - Why are you accusing me of spamming people via email to sell the book?  That's an entirely false accusation for which you have no evidence.  2 - Why do you assume that I stole the cover art for the book?  Your report came as a shock to me, since I had purchased a CD collection of allegedly "royalty-free" images.  This is where I got the bloody rose from.  I myself got ripped off. 

Show mercy for me today, and tomorrow someone will show you mercy.

Everyone in this world deserves redemption.<-------- This might sound overdramatic and ridiculous to you now, but someday, when you're older and wiser, you will look back and realize what I meant. 

Lordy.

Sincerely,
Caito

And now, the interview at Foforks (in case it mysteriously disappears at some point in the future):

Foforks: Thank you so much for talking to us, we were talking to ours readers and we even made a poll on our site, and 80% of those who participated answered that they would read Russet Noon, so I bet they want to know more about this.

Answer: Thank you for the chance to let me give my perspective on things. I’ll give you my honest answers.

F: We would like to know a little bit more about you before talking about Russet Noon, where are you from and all that?
A: I was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, and at 17 I moved to Southern Cali.

F: Are you a writer full time or do you have other stuff going on?
A: I’m in college to become an English teacher, writing and websites are my hobby for now.

F: Cool, and have you read all the series? Which one if your favorite?
A: I’ve read all four books, except for Midnight Sun, I’m reading that one right now. My favorite one is New Moon, because that’s where Bella starts getting close to Jacob.

F: So you favorite character is Jacob then?
A: Yes, he’s a wonderful creation of Mrs. Meyer, she deserves all the credit for creating Jacob Black. He was made with the purpose of raising the stakes for Edward.

F: So that’s why you chose Jake’s point of view for Russet Noon?
A: I chose him first of all because he’s Native American. I descend from Native Central Americans too, so I identify with him the most . I feel that there is so much more to his character that is yet to be explored.

F: To tell you the truth we thought that you chose him because Edward and Bella’s relationship were already explored on the series.
A: Exactly.

F: So Russet Noon is entirely through his eyes? Could you tell me a little bit more about the book and your idea behind it?
A: Yes, we see everything through his eyes. Russet Noon is Jacob’s journey to the world of myth, it is his mythical journey to become a hero. He will be meeting a lot of mythical archetypes along the way, magical monsters, creatures and such.

F: So he gets to be the hero on this one?That’s why on your video we have that part where he finds a creature?
A: Yes, absolutely he’s the hero. And yes, it’s a monster he has to fight on his own to save both the Quileutes as well as the vampires . .

F: So this one has a lot of action then, is it different from the books on the series where there’s a lot about relationships and romance?
A: It is an action adventure story, yes. It is more geared for a boy and girl audience, rather than just a girl audience.

F: Do you get to explore Jacob’s relationship with Nessie?And do we get to see a lot of the Cullens and the “old” characters?
A: His relationship with Nessie is definitely an important part of the story, yes, and the Cullens are also very important, there will be very tragic family conflicts among them. I’m the first one who can’t wait to unveil it.

F: Why did you want to do this tribute? Did you think Jake needed more of his own spotlight maybe? Because Edward was always the one on the front.
A: First because I felt that Stephenie Meyer had been betrayed by the people she trusted… And yes, also because of Jake, it’s more out of a burden I feel to channel Jake’s character. I’m also frustrated because there’s no more books to read.

F: Right. And the fans were so excited about Midnight Sun, for what you read of it, what you think? Cause a lot of people like Edward’s point of view best.
A: Edward is an awesome character, but I just never could forgive him for leaving Bella.

F: So do you think the fans will like Russet Noon? How is the problem with them going?
A: I think they’ll love it, no matter how much they say they hate it, it’ll be their guilty pleasure. The whole issue with the fans is they have been shown a way they never knew about, why can’t fans make money off the universe they feed?

F: A lot of people are scared if you will keep all of the characters the same way, the original way or not.
A: No, all the characters undergo some type of a transformation. The characters are in a constant state of becoming.

F: Could you give me a hint?
A: Well, for instance I’ll be exploring Rosalie’s character a great deal, also Alice will become sick.

F: So besides all the problems you are excited and proud of it?
A: Absolutely, I know there’s been a strong reaction, and I’ve learned to take the good with the bad.

F: So what do you see as good? Cause I know that a lot of the fans don’t want it, but a lot of them do.
A: Yes, I have to thank the haters for the publicity.

F: And how the release is gonna be, still September on the internet?
A: Well, I had already bought an ISBN number for it and everything but I withdrew it, because I realized I’d never get away with selling it, so I gave refunds to all the Ebay buyers, and now I’m waiting a while to see how things turn out. But probably the release will still be September, in chapters online.

F: Do you feel like your work its more like a regular book or a fanfic in a bigger scale? Cause some people say it is.
A: I believe I have more training and education than the average fanfic writer, so that’s the only reason I wanted to release it as a book, but I guess it’s been turned into a huge moral issue.

F: So about the whole publication problem and rights,did you receive any contact from Stephenie’s people?
A: Yes, that’s definitely a legal mess, no attorney will defend me if I decide to publish. Stephenie’s rep or even herself didn’t contact me, I believe she probably has her mind made up about me already. I think she laughs at the whole situation, to be honest, it’s just hilarious, the rage, the hate, the strong emotions.

F: And do you think about writing more or Russet Noon closes everything up?
A: I’m waiting to see what happens, how things turn out.

F: Do you have any other project at your hands?
A: Absolutely, I have my own universe that I’m creating based on a screenplay i wrote called “The Temple”. It will be scifi adventure. Not vampires, the creatures in this one are cave-dwelling aliens.

F: Do you think this Russet Noon will get in the way of your own work in the future?
A: Russet Noon will be my hideous progeny like Frankenstein was to Mary Shelley .

F: Well that one got pretty famous so thats not bad at all! The old story “no publicity is bad publicity”. But you are a big fan right? How would you react if the book was made by someone else?
A: Yes, a big fan. The author is just a medium. So the story and the characters are more important to me than the author. They definitely have lives of their own once they’re created.

F: You told me that your site was closed right?
A: Yes, but for me, to calm the uproar a bit.

F: So do you think there’s still a chance of the project not happening or it’s all good to go?
A: No, I think it’s too late to stifle Russet Noon, I will still release it to the public as a free fanfic, as a book it would have 384 pages, but I will release it one chapter at a time, not all at once.

F: And did you already have a publisher?
A: No, I have people I know in the publishing industry, so I was going to list it on www.booksinprint.com, that way all the bookstores could order copies.

F: So if Russet Noon gets well accepted do you think maybe writing more on the series?
A: Definitely, Russet Noon is meant to be the first part of a series, I’m planning at least 2 more, but I guess they’ll be free e-books now. And maybe the others might have someone else POV.

F: In Breaking Dawn we got to know Nessie just a little, on your project how did you describe her personality?
A: Yes, she’s a fascinating character, but she’s frustrated, she wants to be like her parents and her clan, but Bella doesn’t want her to become a full vampire,but she is determined just like her mother.

F: Since you are changing the characters a little bit, which one do you think got the most mature or changed in a drastic way?
A: Jake will mature a lot, and it’s been 5 years since Breaking Dawn, so Bella has seen the other side of being a vampire the not so glamorous side. It starts when Nessie is celebrating her fifth b-day, but already looking physically like a teenager.

F: So what other important stuff happens in Russet Noon?
A: Okay, the Volturi are also extremely important and so is Taha Aki. The Volturi are forming a counter-alliance to bring down the Cullens-werewolf alliance. They are the leading clan, so they are always power hungry and making sure no one else forms a more powerful alliance.

F: You are not so naive and of course knew that releasing Russet would be hard, right?
A: I intended it to be a controversy all along, that’s why I wrote press releases for it.

F: And when did you start writing it?
A: As soon as I finished Breaking Dawn, also seeing the movie was kind of inspirational.

F: About Breaking Dawn, did you like the way things turned out?
A: Not the ending, I was very bummed by the ending, I hate the whole idea about imprinting and I’ve set out to undo it.

F: So there’s no more imprinting on your books? Cause it’s actually kind of weird.
A: Yes, it is. The imprinting behavior will be more explained in Russet Noon, I think it’s gross, almost incestuous since Jake kissed Bella and all.

F: Did you like the movie?
A: I was let down by the casting of certain characters, this one will get me in trouble but I may as well be honest, I disagree with the casting director.

F: And what about the movie director, Catherine Hardwicke?
A: The acting was average teen flick acting, the screenplay was well adapted but the make-up was AWFUL and fake looking. So, bottom line, she deserves credit for doing so much with a low budget. New Moon better show some improvement!

F: Do you think that the fans after reading Russet Noon will change their opinion about you and the book?
A: They’ll still try to criticize it and poke fun at it, that’s what people do, but I hope they’ll understand better why I felt so compelled to write this story. I know that anyone who receives any form of public attention is vulnerable to criticism, so I’ve learned to accept it.

F: Stephen king actually talked a lot of bad things about Stephenie’s writing, that she was not a good author or write at all.
A: I’ll have to disagree with him, I think that she was writing for a teenage audience so she made it simple on purpose, she’s a great storyteller, shame on Mr. King. She develops some characters more than others. As a teacher, I’ve come to understand that you have to write stories with simple language and plotlines, it’s the only way people will understand on a mass level. I think it’s good, everyone can understand because it appeals to all ages.

F: So you told me about your own book “The Temple”, do you have a release date yet or something?
A: Not yet, “The Temple” is a screenplay that is already in print at my university library, but I’m adapting is as a novel for young adults now.

F: Did you read the other book from Stephenie, “The Host”?
A: No, haven’t read it yet.

F: So about Russet Noon, since you don’t have the site anymore, how could we know about the release date and all the details?
A: The website is still there, but it’s veiled, actually I’m planning on releasing the first few chapters in the summer as soon as school is out, so the readers will be looking for something to do.

F: It’s cool that you have Spanish as your first language, because you saw our post about Russet and you told me that you understood and everything.
A: Yes, I speak Spanish, I saw a post in Spain and the Spanish people really seems to hate me a lot.

F: So, we are almost finishing here, it was really nice to see your side of the story and your reasons for it.
A: Please send my love to Brazil, I hope to go there someday soon.

F: You would love it, it’s amazing. But before we go, could you send a message for the readers and our site?
A: Dear Twilight Fans from Brazil, I’d like to say hi to all of you and thank you Foforks for this chance to consider my perspective on things. I hope you enjoy Russet Noon and you can always reach me at ladysybilla at russet-noon dot com. Love you all and thanks again.

In other news, I'm totally over this email business. I have a spam filter and I intend to use it. If someone wants to continue discussing this shiz, she can do so in the comments like everybody else.
ETA: Yes, we can haz more press release.