by Marsha Ward @Marsha Ward
Almost two years ago, a fellow author, Rachel Ann Nunes, learned that someone had gotten a hold of one of her sweet novels, altered the text to make it an erotic book, slapped her "name" on it, and published it to Amazon.
This is called plagiarism, if you're unfamiliar with this sort of intellectual property (IP) theft. Rachel decided to take a stand. With the help of several friends and a good attorney, she found the identity of the "alleged thief" and has taken her to court.
You cannot begin to imagine how costly this process is. It is not supported by any governmental entity as a criminal matter. It's all on Rachel. She had to sue the "alleged perpetrator" in Federal Court on her own. The case still has not been seen in open court. Rachel is embroiled in all the stuff that goes on before a matter comes to trial: discovery, depositions, and a host of other things.
The cost to Rachel has been much more than the monetary expenses of bringing the "alleged thief" to justice. She has endured harassment, loss of writing time and with that, loss of writing income, nightmares, anxiety, loss of time with family members, heartache, and did I mention that she is the sole breadwinner in her family? Her husband quit his job just before all this hit the fan, to work on a project he and Rachel held dear to their hearts.
Many people in the writing community have rallied to assist Rachel. One of the chief ways they have helped is to donate items or services of value that can be purchased on her Go Fund Me fundraising site.
I previously donated Naming Rights to characters in my novel, The Zion Trail. Now I've made a new offer for the right to name characters in my romantic post-Civil War work-in-progress (WIP), Mended by Moonlight.
I'm happy to report that four out of the five character's names have been snapped up by purchasers. But there's one more available!
For only $12 (or more, if you see fit), you can purchase the right to name a married 30-year-old wounded Northern soldier (who dies) in my WIP. Don't lose out on this opportunity! It's the final name I'll put up for this work.
This is the last chance for you to see your name, or immortalize an ancestor, in this book. Don't worry. I don't use your characteristics or physical attributes in any way (if I even know you), except by some bizarre coincidence.
To help my friend Rachel in her fight against intellectual property theft, go here, scroll down almost to the bottom to where the "Select a Reward Level" offerings appear, and in the next-to-last row, click on the "Name Character" icon with the $12 price.
Thank you!
UPDATE: All the character names have been purchased. Thank you for helping!
From her home in the forest, writer Marsha Ward offers up an eclectic collage of musings on life, insights into the writing process, sample scenes and snippets from her work, book spotlights, and author interviews. Now including "The Characters in Marsha's Head."
Showing posts with label Character Name. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Character Name. Show all posts
Monday, May 23, 2016
Saturday, June 06, 2015
The Zion Trail - Sample Saturday
Welcome back to Sample Saturday. Lije Marshall and the family prepare for their journey.
~~~
By the time Pa dismissed us to go about our assigned tasks, Mary Eliza had awakened and sat by herself at the table. I patted her on the head as I proceeded on my way outside, and felt her squirm under my hand. I paused and squatted to look into her face. "We're going on an adventure, Pumpkin."
"A 'venture, Lije?"
"You'll see at lunchtime," I told her, and left her with those teasing words hanging in the air.
John and I did our usual chores that morning. Then, as we worked on the farm wagon to make it ready to carry us over the hilly roads to our destination and serve to house us, as well, he asked, "Do you think the Mormon preaching service will be different from Reverend Silcoe's?"
I took a moment to think, then said, "That's hard to guess. We'll have to wait until we get there."
"Maybe they won't be partial to singing. I liked it when we sang the other day, Lije. It made my tummy feel better."
I grinned at him, then wrapped my mind around his suggestion. It sobered me. I hoped the Mormon folk liked to sing. Our hymn had comforted us all. After a while, I used careful words to answer him. "Think on King David and how many psalms he wrote. I believe the Lord God enjoys singing and holy music. At least, I hope He does."
He was quick to agree. "Me too!"
~~~
Thank you for visiting. Reverend Silcoe's name will change soon, as he is one character whose naming right has been sold to a reader. I hope you enjoyed today's sample. If you did, you'll probably want to sign up for my quarterly newsletter, "Marsha's Musings." Subscribers are among the first to learn of developments in my writing and publishing schedule. You also learn about sales and discounts, too. Click here for the subscription form. See you next Saturday!
~~~
By the time Pa dismissed us to go about our assigned tasks, Mary Eliza had awakened and sat by herself at the table. I patted her on the head as I proceeded on my way outside, and felt her squirm under my hand. I paused and squatted to look into her face. "We're going on an adventure, Pumpkin."
"A 'venture, Lije?"
"You'll see at lunchtime," I told her, and left her with those teasing words hanging in the air.
John and I did our usual chores that morning. Then, as we worked on the farm wagon to make it ready to carry us over the hilly roads to our destination and serve to house us, as well, he asked, "Do you think the Mormon preaching service will be different from Reverend Silcoe's?"
I took a moment to think, then said, "That's hard to guess. We'll have to wait until we get there."
"Maybe they won't be partial to singing. I liked it when we sang the other day, Lije. It made my tummy feel better."
I grinned at him, then wrapped my mind around his suggestion. It sobered me. I hoped the Mormon folk liked to sing. Our hymn had comforted us all. After a while, I used careful words to answer him. "Think on King David and how many psalms he wrote. I believe the Lord God enjoys singing and holy music. At least, I hope He does."
He was quick to agree. "Me too!"
~~~
Thank you for visiting. Reverend Silcoe's name will change soon, as he is one character whose naming right has been sold to a reader. I hope you enjoyed today's sample. If you did, you'll probably want to sign up for my quarterly newsletter, "Marsha's Musings." Subscribers are among the first to learn of developments in my writing and publishing schedule. You also learn about sales and discounts, too. Click here for the subscription form. See you next Saturday!
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