Harassment and Threats from a fellow author

Sharon Lathan

Sharon Lathan is the best-selling author of The Darcy Saga, a ten-volume sequel series to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

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Shannon D

After reading the prequel, part 1 (for a 3rd time… I love your books!), and seeing the little reminder about part 2 due to release last summer, I got super excited & searched and searched for it. After reading everything you have been through with this bully dilemma, I completely understand why you have decided to halt writing part 2. Talk about “Darcy” protectiveness when it comes to your favorite author!!! I want to tell Abigail off for delaying the BEST love story I’ve read! But I won’t…. I’ll patiently wait for you to heal and pray for God’s peace in your life. When your new book DOES come out, I’ll be one of the first in line to buy it! Many blessings, Sharon.

~Shannon D.

Leigh Anne S.

Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. Never give anyone the satisfaction of thinking they can affect you in a negative way. Your stories reflect strong and intelligent women. That can only be written by someone who has those qualities within her. The best revenge in keeping your head high, a smile on you face, and keep doing what you do for you.

Linda

Dear Sharon
I was heart broken when I read on your blog that you were halting writing the Darcy saga… With this new information I understand completely… I do hope that the saying “time heals all wounds” will be the case in this instance..

My favorite quote is from the late great Maya Angelo
“When people show you who they really are …believe them”

You are a wonderful author I hope that you can return to telling the story of the Darcy’s lives together. Until then I will continue rereading your books….please hurry back to Pemberly.

Linda

Hello Sharon….. I just wanted to check in with you and let you know that I am still praying for you daily…. I work at a Middle school (in the reading department) and I pray for loved ones on my way to school and you have been included from the moment I heard of your situation. I just wanted you to know you are not forgotten and I hope things are working out for you….

Diana Oaks

Sharon,
Thank you for having the courage to make those who are, through no fault of their own, potentially “in the line of fire” aware of the threat. Praemonitus, praemunitus, as they always say. When I first read this blog, and Elizabeth’s blog(s), my initial reaction was that going public with a private quarrel seemed rather drastic, but on reflection, I’ve come to understand the necessity in this case.

It is a great sorrow to me that wonderful authors I’ve admired from afar, and perhaps even put on a pedestal, turned out to be human after all. I remind myself that I don’t know all the facts in this case, and so will refrain from judging any of the parties involved. I know the part I need to know, and for that, I’m grateful. Many hugs to you. I’m so sorry all this has happened, and you can count on prayers from me too.

Zoe

Hello sharon

I love both of your books and I am sorry this has happened hopefully it won’t stop you from reaching your goals

Zoe G

Amelia

I stopped buying your books after some thinly veiled comments you had made at the close of austenauthors. I am appalled that you and Elizabeth have made this argument so public, in what is clearly a schoolroom fight. Much as you say there are ways to contact you, I do not see that you have contacted the other Author before this very public blog. So she may be a bully… I am sure there are authors who feel the same of you. This is an awful way to settle disagreements. It came across my news feed from another author who I buy and read, but may rethink as well. I have never read Elizabeth’s works and because of all this pettiness, I doubt I will read her either. In fact, I am thinking of leaving this genre all together. What a mince of things have been made. These public disputes only fan flames and do nothing but mar all the characters involved.

Elizabeth Ann West

I think the other author involved lost the privilege of such civility the moment she threatened to file complaints to have authors’ selling rights taken down. This is not an idle threat. And it was conducted across multiple people and over days, so it also wasn’t a slip of the tongue. It was premeditated expectation that current members of Austen Authors would turn against Sharon Lathan and be all up in arms over a disagreement on some royalties that were paid out OVER A YEAR AGO.

I personally shared such a case of a bogus DMCA happening in March to an author where Amazon took her book down for a week in an authors’ group I was in with Abigail Reynolds. That is why Abigail’s message to me started with “You know how Amazon works . . .” You can look up Becca Mills and DMCA and see what happened there. I shared the situation as a warning about how Amazon kills flies with hammers, they act first and ask questions later. To get a book back up took a community of people reporting it to Amazon and emails to Jeff Bezos himself.

If I am marred as you say, it is because I didn’t let a bestselling author in the genre boss me around and do her dirty work for her. I am quite satisfied being marred in such a way and will wear it with distinction. And it would not have mattered to me who it was who sent me that message; no one is to threaten another author’s livelihood in that manner. Or at least they do not get to send threats through me and ask me to pass them on. Hypothetically, if it had been a reverse situation, I would have tendered my resignation to Austen Authors and written about the situation the same way with the names flipped.

If I am to lose readers over saying I think unethical behavior is unethical, then so be it. It is my personal experience that saying nothing only breeds more unethical behavior and I won’t trade a few more book sales for such a reality.

Charlene

Well said Elizabeth. I agree with you whole heartedly! And I’m disappointed in Abigail and what has taken placed. BTW I’m still reading and buying your books. Sharon’s too, though I’m impatient for her next one!

Elizabeth Ann West

Thank you Charlene! I AM working on Sharon all the time to sling some ink on the page! 🙂 Speaking of, I have deadlines myself so I better go sling some ink! 🙂

JerryT

I’m pleased to see that this long reported rift has gone public. I have long suspected that the differences lies between you and Abigail Reynolds. Thank you for going public.

Steve

Ive seen a new light and sparkle in my wifes eyes which make my heart glad. Telling the truth is never ” Not taking the high road” it is the high road really. People often are afraid to bring things into the light but this fear only empowers those who do their best work in the shadows. I dont think until now there ever was closure for my wife. I think for some they want to throw it all back on her but I feel its because they cant process what actually was done. But thats on them for them to deal with really. My wife is a very strong Christian and she finds her strength in the Lord.

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” John 3:20

joanr12

Dear Sharon, I have read all of your books and I loved everyone of them. I am so looking forward to anything new that you publish!!! I wish you peace and joy.
Joan

Julie Gumataotao

I am so sorry that one particular author stands by to let other authors divide you all. There seems to be always one bad apple brewing in that tree. I totally support you and I loved all your books which I have all of them you have written. As one of your fans I hope you have the courage and enough strength to overcome any obstacles you my encounter along the way with these harassments and threats that was laid against you!!!! Prayers goes out to you for strength and courage. Big Hugs!!!!

Stephanie L

As you well know, I will always support you wholeheartedly. The fact that it has been reduced to this is just ridiculous. JAFF should be, SHOULD be, big enough for you all. sigh Hang in there sister! Saying a prayer for you!

lilely101

So sorry this is happening to you, I hope evrything gets resolved!

lilely101

I really hope everything gets better. You don’t deserve to be treated that way, this situation might be uncomfortable for you but you deserve some peace.

Glynis

I have a number of your books and Abigails and really love them all. Yours was the very first P&P lollow on that I read after finding it in my Book Club. I enjoyed it so much that I searched on Amazon and now have many many books. I am truly grateful to you for introducing me to these and I can only hope that this can be resolved without any further distress to anyone. Take Care.

Peggy

Sharon, as a devoted fan of long standing and a voracious reader of Austen fan fiction, I am saddened to see the division between authors. I do acknowledge this field to be competitive. I suppose it is a natural consequence. I admire the works and talents of you authors and I pray that cool heads and open minds will result in a healing of the breech. God bless you!

Peggy

junewilliams7

hugs I am so sorry this is happening!

Beatrice

I think Abigail was frustrated by not being able to reach you, and she reacted badly. This is upsetting for all of you, as well as for those of us who love your work.
You also don’t know if something else is going on in her life that she can’t do anything about, so she is focusing on this instead.
Emotions are heightened when people you care about disappoint, which makes this situation all the more difficult.
I trust you can all come out of this with the air cleared and your mutual affection restored.
I treasure my P&P Scenes JA Never Wrote.
Fondly, Beatrice

Charlene

So sad, as I like all these authors books. I’m surprised and disappointed. You have my support Sharon, and all the authors at AUAU.

robmwmj

I am sad to hear this. As a reader, I am a fan of both of you. I hope that things can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

Zoe Burton

I’m so sorry this is happening to you, Sharon. As I said a little bit ago on Elizabeth’s blog, I have learned that there is a fine line between living at peace with everyone as much as it depends on me (Rom. 12:18) and standing up against things that are wrong. I applaud you for going public with this and exposing the wound to the air, and I will be keeping all of you in prayer.