In regards to the latest updates about the author Santino Hassell I decided to take all of my reviews of their single written books down from my blog and won’t review further books in future.
As most people in the community have probably heard about the author Santino Hassell (hereafter used pronouns are “they/their”) is no longer represented by their agent, their publisher Riptide Publishing and Dreamspinner Press terminated all contracts and further releases are canceled (and refunds of pre-ordered titles will be made), the books aren’t available at any retailers anymore or will be in short.
Same goes for the co-authored projects with author Piper Vaughn (Bishop’s Move) and Santino Hassell’s story in the upcoming anthology Exposed is deleted from it.
So far, co-author Megan Erickson didn’t say any particular about future of the Cyber Love Series, it can highly be expected there won’t be further books (a “second season” was planned).
Another publisher’s statement, from Berkley (Penguin/ Randomhouse), is still awaited.
[Edit 3/12/18]: Megan Erickson also posted her statement on her website and the already published books in the Cyber Love series will be removed as well. The link to the statement is added to the list below. It goes without saying I will remove the reviews to this series as well.
[Edit 3/13/18] Berkley (Penguin / Randomhouse) also announced on Twitter they terminated the contracts with the author.
Links to the official statements which were made:
Riptide Publishing (on their website)
Dreamspinner Press (on Twitter)
Piper Vaughn about Bishop’s Move (on Twitter & Facebook)
Tamsen Parker about the Exposed anthology (one of the authors, the general statement is the same for all other individual authors; on Facebook & Twitter)
Megan Erickson about the Cyber Love series (on her website)
Berkley (Penguin/ Randomhouse) (on Twitter)
The Santino Hassell’s own statement & their Patreon account with posts about it (access only available if you are a $5 member).
[Edit 3/12/18]: They set it now up to $100 (!!) supporters. This is truly shady…
If you wish to report the Patreon account for violating the use of terms, there is a helpful Twitter thread here.
As an active and avid blogger in the LGBTQIAP+ community I decided to take all of their reviews from my blog and my Goodreads reviews will be edited with a link to this statement.
I still keep the reviews of the co-written books in the Cyber Love series with Megan Erickson on my site as well as posts where I listed, recommended or gushed about the books in the past.
There won’t be any reviews of any upcoming books by the author if they ever publish again.
If you have questions please see my contact information and hit me with a message or comment on this post.
A few personal words below:
On a personal level I am shocked, devastated, sad about the whole extent this issue had, the deep damage it did to the community itself in huge parts, the victims who were directly involved in it and what it all caused.
I definitely didn’t took the decision easily to put the reviews down but I believe it is my responsibility as an active blogger to do and say something (on my own blog) when I was a fan, long-time reader and (i.a. Patreon) supporter of this author.
I am also in not this (directly) involved as the people who accused them first and read a lot of shocking explorations and statements (and still follow different threads about it and inform myself).
I am not personally affected or was (this) hurt by the author as other who spoke up, neither did I had a (deep) personal relationship with the author besides writing with them on Facebook, Twitter and posting and sharing my reviews with them, never did I met them i.a. on conventions. Yes, my support was in this, financially (with buying books, being a Patreon supporter) and as a blogger, I did promote the said author with best intentions.
But I believe those who spoke up so this is the decision I take in this situation.
This isn’t my place (although it is my blog) to say and ramble how hurt I am – so I won’t do it here, I spare it for DMs/messages – , even if I do feel betrayed as a former fan, reader and blogger too. But it’s not my voice which should be heard and not be the loudest.
I’m sorry for the victims, for all of them.
As said above if there are questions about the topic or do you want to know more about it, you can send me a message anytime.
Thank you for reading.
I hope we have lighter days coming in future and that the LGBTQIAP+ community will heal from this deep cut and come stronger out of this damaging situation.
I will focus (again) on what I do first and foremost when I started this blog: reading, reviewing and talking about books.
I’m deeply sorry for those who were hurt, affected, cheated and (direct) victims of and by the author.
Kisses & hugs
Mikku-chan
Mikku-chan 