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Dear Lee

Dear Lee,

I recently went on a writer’s blog and much to my surprise, a colleague of mine was being slammed. I learned that not one of these wannabe-writer’s ever had any contact with the publisher. Furthermore, there was a competitor who stated that this particular publisher was a scam and then proceeded to make an offer to the other bloggers that she would answer their questions about publishing and writing for $35.00 a question. I made a statement on the blog questioning the integrity of my colleague and I was verbally attacked by this group. One person on the site asked if we could “privatize” our debate and exchange information in an effort to get to the truth. Like a fool, I agreed. We corresponded via email a few times and guess what? This person accused me of cyberstalking, then somehow (I wonder how,) my email address was posted on this blogsite and tagged as a “scam lover.” I started to receive threats and “friendly” advice, saying that I should forget about coming to the aid of my colleague. I have a feeling if I proceed against them in anyway, I’ll be their next target. What do you think?

-Amazed, Dazed and Confused
Dear ADC,

Unfortunately, your situation is not uncommon. My advice is to move on. What else can you do? Sue them? You don’t even know who “them” is. Report them to the Internet Provider? Right, like they care. Engage them further? That would be downright silly. Make a police report? Depends upon the nature of the threat. Stay out of chatrooms? Now there’s a thought.

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Dear Lee,

I have a personal situation. It doesn’t involve writing, publishing, the Internet or literary agents. It’s about the size of my penis. It’s huge. I scare women. What can I do?

-Too Big to Love
Dear Mr. Big,

It sounds to me that this is about writing…fiction that is.

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Dear Lee,

I belong to a writer’s group. I pay my dues. I volunteer. I donate to their legal fund. Recently, I have been very uncomfortable about the direction this group is taking. I looked up the founder’s mission statement, and I think the group has lost sight of what they are supposed to be doing. In one year they have been sued twice. The group is consistently receiving threats of legal action for libel and interference of trade, among other charges. My concern is that I’m afraid that if I voice my opinion, I will be blackballed. By being an active member of this group, I get a lot of perks. Their “exclusive” agent represents me. And because this agent is closely tied in with a publisher, I get my work published. I don’t make a lot on the books I write, but I do make a lot doing seminars, lectures and consulting with new writers. Believe it or not, I’m making somewhere in the six figures. Money or morals? That is the question.

-Stuck
Dear Stuck,

I once had a friend that told me to stop living in the world of this-or-that, either-or. She said people have This, That and Both. She also said a person is never stuck for long. It is against nature. Eventually you’ll move. Somewhere in your mind, you have already chosen your direction, so consult yourself. Then act according to your true self.

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Dear Lee,

This is another one of those stories about, “He who rules the rooster, rules the nest.” A well-known writer’s association held a contest for the best novel published in 2007. I entered my novel and paid the entry fee. I was chosen as a finalist. I paid for the airfare, hotel and tickets to the awards banquet. Guess who won? The founder’s daughter!
Now, is that fair?


-Nothing Romantic About Being a Loser
Dear Romantic,

Rule Number 106: Life isn’t fair.
Rule Number 958: Joiners are followers.
Rule Number: 194875872358775435867903: You have the right to start your own writing awards program.

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Submit Your Questions to: dearlee@writersnewsweekly.com.