Author has trademarked common word; threatening other authors over its use

In the first draft of UTK I wrote out an incredibly detailed scene of a chef (my MC Nate) making sushi. Now mind you, this thing was posted on the internet as a WIP for a year, but it wasn't until I was working with the editor from LT3 that someone finally pointed out that he never makes rice. It's pretty clear from the description of the completed dish (which is based on my favorite sushi roll from my favorite Japanese restaurant) that there is rice involved, but somehow it just sort of magically appeared without Nate ever cooking it.

 

This kind of thing should have a thread all it's own.

I recently stumbled upon lightening instead of lightning in one of my books that many many eyes went over as well as mine. It's one of my biggest pet peeves and it's in my book. *headdesk* Yes, I'm fixing it, but ugh.

 

God. Just read the blog post and watched the video. Mate. You do not "play" Nicholas Cocker. You are a model. Maybe this is just me, because I know nothing about being a cover model, but to me "playing" someone requires actual acting. Not just getting all dressed up in a suit and grinning at a camera. Also "They want the thing. And then they get the thing." That's what she said... (I know. *Hangs head*)

And that first page... It was all over the place, and most of it wasn't even detail we needed to know. Who cares about the bloody smoothie, or what she's wearing? I feel like the choking could have been saved for another scene - just hint that something's wrong for now - and I agree that the whole "I love you" bit was just fucked up. I have a horrible feeling that it'll be treated as excusable. It's not exactly an empoweringly feminist series. In all fairness, though, I do get a pretty strong impression of the mother from that scene - whether or not it's the impression she wants to give is quite another matter, though.

Also "Cocky Mother's Day" makes no sense. How can a day be cocky? It's also made me wonder about the whole "alpha male" trope in its entirety. Am I remembering correctly that @Trish writes Romance? Perhaps you can explain it to me. I'm just wondering why women fantasise about these men. Maybe they're just badly-written "alpha males" (God, I hate that term) in this case, but they're all complete arseholes! I can sort of understand the whole muscly bit, but surely you can also have muscly, ripped guys who are also sweet, kind, and understanding? I'm writing one now for a fanfic (he's a canon character, so I can't claim credit).

I've also had a look at her blurbs on Amazon. It has a list of all the books in reading order and "A Honey Badger Xmas" (which is a pretty great title, by the way, even if the "Xmas" does annoy me) comes with a note: "(Not supernatural --- it's his nickname)". Firstly - what? To a casual browser looking to read them for the first time, this makes no sense. Secondly, an explanation like this, to me, smacks of amateurism. It's the sort of thing you see on fanfiction.net.

 

@EstherMayRose I do write romance but I can't explain the alpha male thing (which I hate as much as you do). I write my men as kind, caring, loving, every day kinda guys. I'm not into that asshole stuff. They're not going to let anything happen to their girl if they can help it, but they're not going to hurt her either.

Maybe someone else can explain it, because it is so not my thing.

 

She's good for amusement at least.

 

I've just watched the parody video. I needed that shit, I'm laughing my arse off.

 

Link? I haven't seen that.

 

Totally not my thing, either. If I'm reading a book and the MC is an asshole, I stop reading and go to a different book.

I don't get the whole Alpha male thing either, and I don't write my MCs as alpha males, either. They're written as @Trish said personality wise, with the body type I happen to like--great arms and shoulders but not ripped, and often they're runners. That body type happens to fit my MC Alexei perfectly...classical pianist who's been playing for years, and although he'd tell you a different reason for taking up running, his real reason is for stamina for sex.

Totally don't get the popularity of men being assholes in romance novels.

ETA: And no, I'm not having my a cover model act in character as Alexei on a video. That would just be bizarre. What's he going to do? Make up a Russian accent and play piano? Ugh.

 

*Offers @big soft moose a bucket*

Actually, I might need to share it if you don't mind.

 

WTF.... did I just hear? The Thing of the Thing... with the Thing... who likes the Thing that has the Thing... but let's not forget the Thing Thingy thing thing... I started belching, it was so awful.

Not editing your book is ridiculous, how can a professional editor or publisher take you seriously when you treat your work with such disregard. Maybe some can pull it off but When I write, I have to edit.. which is why I start with Pen and Paper, that way I can't edit or i'd never get finished. . I have a feeling Mr. Heinlein was doing some subconscious editing or Auto-Editing. .

But I agree BSM... that is some high quality narcissism and arrogance right there, why edit a book, why bath and put on deoderate, why make your bed, why do anything to put your best foot forward.

Yup, there are a few exceptions to that rule and I can think of two people other than the ones we are discussing here on the forums who deserve to be ridiculed for their arrogance and narcissism.

 

Well that proves one thing: Pretty and Dumb go hand in hand....

 

Yes. I will sometimes say that I sold one of my stories in first-draft form, the result of a four and a half hour writing session where everything was flowing. However, I also write first drafts with pen and paper (fountain pen), so though in that case the editing was still minimal, there was editing.

My current story has been rewritten half a dozen times.

 

Can you link me this photos, I feel like i'm missing out on some Grade A cringe.

Edit: So, I found her books, did the search more properly this time. minus the ones that look profession, so going to assume borrowed assets which Mrs. Hopkins is not above using and trademarking. A lot of them have a look of confusion or Are you serious, do you know what your doing.

 

In a failed attempt to look for her books, I found this and though it was amusing.

 

Thanks, here is the Amazon Link for Mrs. Hopkins.

https://www.amazon.com/Faleena Hopk...-pages-popularity-rank&ie=UTF8&qid=1526418286

 

Oh my fucking eyes, I didn't realize something could hurt them that much by looking at them. that site is a crime against humanity and the internet.

 

I had a squizz at her website before. It's mostly just a sea of abs, but the thing that cracked me up was the fact that the "family tree" link was accompanied by a picture of people having sex. It just seemed so appropriate: "Yes, that is how you add new members".

 

"My fucking eyes" is the name of my new band. I filed the trademark registration last night. Please send the licensing fee to me via Paypal (PM me for address).

 

Double entendre for the win!