tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post2373157504176075897..comments2023-10-30T15:13:22.680+00:00Comments on Strictly Writing: 'TheTime Hunters' author Carl Ashmore asks: Dear Harper Collins, can I have my series back, please? DThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-11480319592513049962013-08-25T09:10:01.511+01:002013-08-25T09:10:01.511+01:00Any updates on this??Any updates on this??Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-24418547129465676862013-08-09T09:23:51.092+01:002013-08-09T09:23:51.092+01:00woa that sucks :(
hope you can do something agains...woa that sucks :(<br />hope you can do something against them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-83535530968790663332013-08-08T13:37:02.268+01:002013-08-08T13:37:02.268+01:00I'm astonished! I really am. Please join The S...I'm astonished! I really am. Please join The Society of Authors and seek legal advice! I remember your book from<br />Authonomy, not that I use it as I get suspicious of sites like these. They smack of x-Factor puppetering.Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-92200710416401029872013-08-06T22:47:07.941+01:002013-08-06T22:47:07.941+01:00Carl - my heart hurts for you. Well done for manag...Carl - my heart hurts for you. Well done for managing to post about this and hopefully garner support. I've been very wary about sites such as Authonomy as there are too many people out there who have so little imagination hey trawl for the gifts that others have. I wish you well and hope wiser folk will guide you. Good thoughts KateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-5416531083937679762013-08-02T08:55:28.341+01:002013-08-02T08:55:28.341+01:00Anonymous, that was EXACTLY my first thought - not...Anonymous, that was EXACTLY my first thought - not a case of 'how dare they?' but 'they dare, and do.' It is worrying isn't it?Debs Ricciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04187829719387642487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-71321608616921364202013-08-01T22:26:01.625+01:002013-08-01T22:26:01.625+01:00It sometimes happens that two authors come up with...It sometimes happens that two authors come up with the same idea. I know I've thought of book ideas only to find after a Google search that the same thing has recently been published. However, this is not just a random case of similiarities. They read your book first and commented on it. Then they used it. That is wrong. <br /><br />As a novice writer this post is a bit scary. What if I write a book, send it out, and though the idea is great the writing needs more pep. Will they give me a chance to revise it, enlist a ghost writer to clean it up, or just take the idea and pay someone else to write it. Very scary, especially from a well-known and respected publisher.<br /><br />No matter what you decide to do, I wish you luck. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-5704272061093898242013-07-30T22:48:13.258+01:002013-07-30T22:48:13.258+01:00Thanks Carl. I will look for your books. The seri...Thanks Carl. I will look for your books. The series goes from 1 - 10 years old. Still battling to find the right illustrator.<br /><br />That is great that a copywright attorney is looking it over. You have tons of support. Any whoever touted that you were looking for your 5 minutes of fame...you deservie a heck of alot more than 5 minutes for the series you came up with.<br /><br />Keep us updated & prayers and good thoughts are with you.Sherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12912504008968948565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-11019053964157187312013-07-26T16:21:46.567+01:002013-07-26T16:21:46.567+01:00Yeah, shame that. I know some good ones.:)Yeah, shame that. I know some good ones.:)Carl Ashmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15706017005563905024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-66372217345205552532013-07-26T16:16:11.644+01:002013-07-26T16:16:11.644+01:00It's probably why Spoonerisms went out of fash...It's probably why Spoonerisms went out of fashion. DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-42910284178465463852013-07-26T16:07:32.000+01:002013-07-26T16:07:32.000+01:00'Bumping Jean', Derek? I think I'd get...'Bumping Jean', Derek? I think I'd get locked up if I started singing that to Alice :)Carl Ashmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15706017005563905024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-61527193996253308812013-07-26T15:59:25.021+01:002013-07-26T15:59:25.021+01:00But with no 'the' at the beginning! Or may...But with no 'the' at the beginning! Or maybe it'll become Bumping Jean?DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-37475719815078468572013-07-26T15:55:48.472+01:002013-07-26T15:55:48.472+01:00Well I've heard Simon Cowell is releasing it a...Well I've heard Simon Cowell is releasing it as this year's X Factor single, but it'll just be called 'Jumping Bean.' :)Carl Ashmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15706017005563905024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-60995362520012250772013-07-26T13:46:11.949+01:002013-07-26T13:46:11.949+01:00Carl, I hope (for Alice's sake) that you'v...Carl, I hope (for Alice's sake) that you've copyrighted the Jumping Bean song - I hear walls have ears ;)Debs Ricciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04187829719387642487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-37172879220759669172013-07-26T09:50:27.636+01:002013-07-26T09:50:27.636+01:00And I'm delighted you enjoyed the books, MIste...And I'm delighted you enjoyed the books, MIster Teach .<br /><br />Bless you, Sheri. What age group do you write for? Anyway, the best of luck with that. Please keep me informed of your progress. And yes, my books are all available on Amazon. Just try and avoid the Harper Collins ones if you're purchasing one. Ha :)Carl Ashmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15706017005563905024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-16117241059897164972013-07-26T09:03:04.335+01:002013-07-26T09:03:04.335+01:00Hi all,
Thank you so much for your support. It re...Hi all,<br /><br />Thank you so much for your support. It really does mean a lot. <br /><br />As you can imagine I've had all kinds of ideas spinning through my head of late. On one hand, I know that the books/stories are different in many ways - on the other, I know that my series has been out for quite some time, has an identical title, similar general concept, same target audience and was described by HC as having 'terrific potential on Authonomy. <br /><br />What still riles me is that this could have all be avoided with a simple google search and a rebrand.<br /><br />Anyway, I contact HC a week ago and have still to hear from them. I've also been fortunate in that a fellow writer friend of mine's husband is a copyright lawyer. He is looking into my situation to see if there is any case. I don't know, I'm not that knowledgeable into the detailed legalities of this, but I hope he can enlighten me.<br /><br />I've even been accused on another forum of wanting 'my five minutes of fame' or a 'handout'. I swear to you that this is not about any of that. I would just like a few answers.<br /><br />Part of me has become so tired of it all. It's prevented me from doing things I really want to do, like writing Time Hunters 4, rolling about in the garden of composing a song for my daughter Alice called 'My jumping bean'. :)<br /><br />Still, I'm awaiting a response from the legal bod. I doubt there's a case, but I'm sure (or at least hope) most of you can sympathise with my situation.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Carl<br /><br />Oh, and so far it goes like this:<br /><br />My jumping bean, my jumping bean,<br />Have you seen my jumping bean?<br />It's small and thin and red and green.<br />So have you seen my jumping bean?<br /><br />It's entirely possible that I'm losing the plot :)Carl Ashmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15706017005563905024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-4988165337648454002013-07-25T23:00:57.230+01:002013-07-25T23:00:57.230+01:00Carl,
I am just sick that plagiarism was so blata...Carl,<br /><br />I am just sick that plagiarism was so blatantly thrown in your face. <br /><br />I am a children's author also and have been worried that an agent might take my query and premise and run with it. I thought I was being paranoid.<br /><br />I have read that publishers and agents have no time to steal ideas, they are too busy doing books deals. So much for reading on the internet.<br /><br />If there is anything I can do or a bandwagon you need me to jump on, count me in.<br /><br />Also regarding copywright, it is considered copywrighted once it is sent via email and is dated. You definitely seem to have a case to me, especially since you received such praise.<br /><br />Good luck with it all and please keep us uprised of things. I will try to post your blog on my fb page.<br /><br />Are your books on amazon? I will buy them!! :)<br /><br /><br />Take care, SheriSherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12912504008968948565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-35755088606154983752013-07-25T22:54:15.668+01:002013-07-25T22:54:15.668+01:00Carl,
This really is horrible and something we al...Carl,<br /><br />This really is horrible and something we all fear as authors.<br /><br />What can we do to help you?<br /><br />I will try to post it on my facebook page but if there is any band wagon you need me to jump on, I will be happy to. <br /><br />I have been trying to get my children's series published and have sent the premise & query to several agents. I have read several times that plagiarism is never something we as authors need to worry about. Agents and publishers are way too busy to even conceive that thought...<br /><br />Very sad that it is happening before our eyes and so blatently.<br /><br />I copywrighted a novel of mine a few years ago but then was told that once it is written and sent via email, that is copywright enough.<br /><br />Again, anything I can do, let me know! Oh and I will go buy your books. They are on amazon?<br /><br />Good luck! SheriSherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12912504008968948565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-9038563924493098122013-07-25T19:27:15.049+01:002013-07-25T19:27:15.049+01:00Carl, I'm very sorry to hear this is happening...Carl, I'm very sorry to hear this is happening to you. I just recently finished your second Time Hunters novel and enjoyed it just as much as the first. Best of luck in getting this resolved to your satisfaction. Mister Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00797744114515551901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-61235326620807777252013-07-25T14:37:26.205+01:002013-07-25T14:37:26.205+01:00Hear hear, Anonymous!Hear hear, Anonymous!Debs Ricciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04187829719387642487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-74651074829060636772013-07-24T18:09:48.575+01:002013-07-24T18:09:48.575+01:00Just staggering. Sounds like an HC executive took ...Just staggering. Sounds like an HC executive took a risk, perhaps expecting that you, a supposed Authonomy minnow, would drift away rather than sell, what was it, 20,000+ copies. (Congrats!)<br /><br />Carl, your case looks sound as a pound. You have to pursue this. Hit those plagiarists with a writ. It's a shame for any well-intentioned employees who worked on the Hothouse/HC project when they get zapped with that injunction to cease and desist this utterly flagrant plagiarism. Tough cheese. They're all ripping you off and that's still against the law! <br /><br />OK, the rip-off is more like Carl Ashmore *meets* Horrible Histories, but the case stands and it's outrageous. The time-travel children's adventure genre is as popular now as when Dan Billany wrote The Magic Door but that's no excuse. Shame on whoever passed this off as an original HC idea. Someone's head should roll...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-63628652526761319452013-07-24T17:48:25.065+01:002013-07-24T17:48:25.065+01:00Gah. Misread Chris as Carl. Sorry! I still maintai...Gah. Misread Chris as Carl. Sorry! I still maintain that it's absurd they started with the same letter for their fake author name. Zerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17816334804913209101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-23753817405281319972013-07-24T17:47:02.764+01:002013-07-24T17:47:02.764+01:00I'm sorry to say I agree that I do not believe...I'm sorry to say I agree that I do not believe this can be tried. The only way I can see it being tried is if you had The Time Hunters trademarked. Suing them would require them to produce all their discussions on the series, right? So if they had talked about ripping you off there might be a case I think? It would at least be bad publicity and they may be willing to settle outside of court in spite of you not having a strong case. <br /><br />This is absurd though. It's also ridiculous that the fake author name has the same first name as you. Zerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17816334804913209101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-29427630064311751202013-07-24T17:15:31.705+01:002013-07-24T17:15:31.705+01:00Carl, your story has shaken every author up, parti...Carl, your story has shaken every author up, particularly those on authonomy. One of my books is self-published and has already been awarded the HC ED award. it too is part of a series and now I'm nervous. I have spoken to a lawyer to see what action I can take now to prevent being in the same situation in the future. Sadly, there's nothing you can do to prevent, but she did suggest to pursue legal action because you do have a case. Plain and simple. The whole situation is awful.<br /><br />I have a second book close to the desk now and wanted to pull it. Instead, I've removed content and posted your story to make word count. Please see the link and spread the word.<br /><br />Hopefully more eyes will see your story and if nothing else, the situation will be addressed - and you get what is rightfully yours.<br /><br />http://authonomy.com/books/48108/my-life-without-me/read-book/?chapterid=476978#chapterJaclyn Aurorehttp://www.jaclynaurore.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-90404559024029448252013-07-24T15:53:36.224+01:002013-07-24T15:53:36.224+01:00Think what Stephen Winterflood says would be the o...Think what Stephen Winterflood says would be the only thing keeping me from going out of my mind if I were you right now, Carl. I cannot believe this sort of thing is allowed to and clearly does happen. And as an unpublished writer it makes me wonder 'so what's the flippin' point?' (insert alternative eff word).<br />And to echo Stephen's point, the HC covers (and indeed internals) are pretty flimsy, infantile things with silly sketches and giveaway 'cards' as another incentive. Your series needs no such enticements; it stands on its own merits. (I am still FUMING on your behalf, btw).Debs Ricciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04187829719387642487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-28791616990447380922013-07-24T14:47:39.358+01:002013-07-24T14:47:39.358+01:00I suggest that you make this issue more broadly kn...I suggest that you make this issue more broadly known. In fact, you can even use it to market your book. Become a thorn in the side, and the big boys may decide to come to reasonable terms. This is, however, one problem when you create an idea for a series, too easily ripped off. Ken Weenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14518433815909216348noreply@blogger.com