Mandala Press threatens legal action

It will interest readers of the deblog to know that my post on Spam and book promotion has roused the ire of the Managing Editor of The Mandala Press, who believes that I have been libelous and is apparently interested in seeking legal redress.

The story is that on November 7th and 8th five comments were submitted at my book review site, book-blog.com. All comments (now removed from
the blog) were submitted in response to the same post at the book-blog, although the comments had nothing to do with the subject of that post. All five comments were purportedly written by different authors, yet all five comment authors were writing in with the same agenda, to sing the praises of books written by the same woman, author Rochelle Moore. The five comments were submitted from three different IP addresses, which means that, at the least, two pairs of commenters happened to be using the same computers.

comment 1: Comment From: ------------- Name: ROXANNE DONNAY Email: Roxy_Donnay@hotmail.com URL: http://www.amazon.com IP: 86.42.156.123 Comment: -------- WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS by Rochelle Moore I wanted to add this book to the blog as it is the author's 3rd self-help book and I have bought it direct from the publishers www.mandala-press.com Rochelle Moore is a wonderful self-help author and much more. Mrs R.Donnay

comment 2: Comment From: ------------- Name: Mr F Dunwoody Email: m.sheil.bal@hotmail.co.uk URL: http://www.mandala-press.com IP: 86.42.156.123 Comment: -------- AROMATHERAPY & HERBALISM by Rochelle Moore My review for this book would be 10 out of 10 Rochelle Moore shows her readers with great ease how to self-treat ailments both physical and psychological by the use of essential oils,herbs, flowers etc., Im getting quite good at it myself The book covers anxiety,acne,agraophobia,guilt,hostility,fears,flu,right through to worry and warts. Excellent book

comment 3: Comment From: ------------- Name: KATIE WILSON Email: K.WILSON62@AOL.COM URL: http://www.amazon.com IP: 86.42.135.44 Comment: -------- SNODVARK THE NAUGHTY DRAGON by Rochelle Moore As a parent of 4 (4-9 year olds) I have to blog about this beautiful fairytale about a lost baby dragon who gets into all kinds of trouble. What I like about it is that not only is it really magical and the character adorable but it teaches my children a morals as well - in this book the moral is IT IS OK TO BE DIFFERENT. Beautiful story and great book Katie

comment 4: Comment From: ------------- Name: celine Email: c.draper@aol.com URL: http://www.amazon.com IP: 86.42.140.68 Comment: -------- Hi brought here through lulu about SNODVARK THE NAUGHTY DRAGON which i bought darn brilliant book

comment 5: Comment From: ------------- Name: alison Email: ali1961@aol.com URL: http://www.amazon.com IP: 86.42.140.68 Comment: -------- My favourite book has to be AROMATHERAPY & HERBALISM by Rochelle Moore It is just so well written, so easy to follow and she is an excellent and very talented writer. alison

I removed the comments from the book-blog immediately, as I regarded and regard them as comment spam, i.e., remarks introduced in order to promote a product using my blog as free advertisement space, and not introduced so as to engage me or my readers in legitimate conversation. I suspect that most people would agree with me that they are not legitimate comments, noting the unlikelihood of five separate people using at most three separate computers over the course of two days to rave about one particular author's oeuvre.

In my original post I did not name the author whose books were thus being promoted, because I did not want to wind up inadvertently promoting her books myself. However, in the comments section I did finally quote one of the spam comments--which of course included the author's name and book title--because I wanted to make the point that the comments were not the sort of thing that could have been generated automatically.

I also implied in my post and in the comments that I thought the person responsible for the spam was the author herself, because it is the simplest answer to the question, cui bono? Who stands to benefit from the comment spam? The author. It's true that alternative explanations are possible: someone connected to the author, with an interest in helping the author's books succeed, may also be responsible for the spam. I do not rule this out. Mostly I was interested in exposing this sort of commenting practice as spam and as an abuse, and as an ineffective promotional strategy.

This morning, things took an interesting turn. A certain T Share, the managing editor of The Mandala Press, commented thus on the original post, demanding an apology from me:

Comment From: ------------- Name: MANDALA PRESS USA Email: info@mandala-press.com URL: http://WWW.MANDALA-PRESS.COM IP: 86.42.149.4 Comment: -------- DEBRA, I have been directed here by one of my authors who happened upon your blog site. Firstly, Mandala-Press is NOT a self-publishing company Secondly, The author that you refer to is one of our bestselling clients in the self-help (metaphysical) genre in the USA. Thirdly, Please retract your statement immediately and post an apology to our author on your webblog and/or send your official name and address to the following address so that the matter may be resolved legally: MANAGING EDITOR MANDALA PRESS FELIX STREET ST JOSEPH MISSOURI 64501 USA. Awaiting a very early reply. T Share

I posted the following comment in reply:

Comment From: ------------- Name: Debra Hamel Email: debra_hamel@earthlink.net URL: http://www.the-deblog.com IP: 4.245.173.243 Comment: -------- Shall I also post the five pieces of spam that I received over the course of two days raving about that author's books? All from "different" commenters but from only three separate IP addresses? In my view, the preponderance of the evidence supports the opinions I expressed in my piece.

T Share responded as follows, requiring that I supply my particulars, apparently to make the job of suing me that much easier:

Comment From: ------------- Name: MANDALA PRESS USA Email: info@mandala-press.com URL: http://WWW.MANDALA-PRESS.COM IP: 86.42.158.164 Comment: -------- Please foward your Business Name, Address and contact telephone number as outlined in my initial correspondence. Neither Mandala Press nor the author are going to allow this liabelous accusations stand without legal retort. T Share

I did not answer that comment but received another, T Share having done some homework. Strangely, T Share found it appropriate to refer to a legal practice I write about in my book: the punishment of sexual offenses in ancient Athens by rectal penetration with a radish--which hardly seems pertinent to the matter at hand (source of the quote):

Comment From: ------------- Name: MANDALA PRESS USA Email: info@mandala-press.com URL: http://WWW.MANDALA-PRESS.COM IP: 86.42.158.235 Comment: -------- PLEASE CONFIRM THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION NAME: DEBRA HAMEL AGE: 42 LOCATION: NORT HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, USA OCCUPATION: AUTHOR - GRADUATED JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Quote: "INCLUDES NUGGETS ABOUT THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES ON THE LOSER OF A LAWSUIT" Please confirm the above information. T Share

And this is where we stand. I maintain that the most likely person to have spammed the book-blog is the author of the books that were thus promoted, while acknowledging that alternative theories are possible: the author's friends and associates, publisher, etc. would likewise have cause to do such a thing. I am if nothing else open-minded. I invite my readers to weigh in with their own theories.

Tags: comment spam, legal intimidation, legal threats, Mandala Press, radishes, Rochelle Moore, sock puppet, sock puppetry, spam

Comments

[Eric Barelka]

I think T. Share clearly has issues that he/she is struggling with. I suggest they read "Aromatherapy & Herbalism" by Rochelle Moore, which (apparently) shows readers "how to self-treat ailments both physical & psychological by the use of essential oils, herbs, flowers, etc. The book covers anxiety...guilt....hostility....fears...right through to worry and warts." Excellent book.

I read about it on the web, so it must be true.

[nrkii]

I was going to comment on T Share's terrible spelling, but Eric beat me to it in the other thread. Sigh....

What idiots these people are. And if they're really so righteously indignant, perhaps they should go after the person who posted the comments in the first place. Oh wait, that would be like a dog chasing his own tail.

Debra, if you get a moment, please email me. I do have one other thought to add, but won't add it here.

[Tom]

So a comment in a blog egts them in a snit so they decide to sue? Ar they so stupid that they don't realize that a suit will publicize their stupidity for all the world to see? This is actually good beause I needed something to blog about. Now I can blog about how stupid the people at Mandala press are. :D

[Susan]

Barking Dogs - Ignore them - It's simply not worth your time or energy.

[Rick G.]

Here are some more curious coincidences:

The IP addresses of comments 1, 2, and 3 coincidently all map to Dublin Ireland, even though they're purportedly from three different individuals. Comments 4 and 5 both map to Brooklyn, NY. Notice that comment 5 uses the British spelling for "favourite."

And the comments from Mandala Press... Where do you suppose their IP addresses come from? Dublin, Ireland.

[Rick G.]

Doing a little more research...

I find that your first impartial, unaffiliated commenter, Roxy Donnay, thought so highly of the book that she started a one-entry blog about it:

http://depression--roxanne.blogspot.com/2006/10/rochelle-moore-self-help-author-by-mrs.html

Such dedication by a casual commenter!

[Debra Hamel]

Thanks, Rick G.! Coincidentally, another person, a certain PJ, was moved to start a one-post blog about Rochelle Moore here: http://amazonbooks.blog.com/ I wish *I* had such fans!

Tom: looking forward to the contribution. And Susan, I'm surprised at your insouciance! Seriously! But good, I say. Thanks.

[Debra Hamel]

Our author, by the way, hails from Wicklow, Ireland (http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976823501), just south of Dublin (http://www.wicklowway.com/). For what it's worth.

[Maxine]

I think these tactics are intimidating and unpleasant. Whether or not these people have a leg to stand on, and I can't imagine how they could, this is horrible behaviour.

I recentl got embroiled with some people (anonymous, of course) calling me racist and other horrible epithets on their blog as a result of a posting by Lynne Scanlon, the wicked witch of publishing, and my comments there. The anonymous bloggers were unfairly rude about Lynne on their blog, so I put in a mild comment pointing out an error or two in their logic. I was then subject to accusations and completely made-up suppositions about myself which are completely untrue (I provided a link to my web page which was ignored).

Although a legal threat was not involved, this kind of experience is deeply unsettling -- one becomes aware that there are some ignorant and nasty people lurking around on the Internet. May they disappear up their own Athenian practices!

[Bill Liversidge]

If it wasn't so unpleasant, what these guys are saying would be laughable. I would ignore them. If they want to take legal action (on what grounds I'm not sure) let them. You can then respond in kind.

This sort of thing is upsetting - but only if you let it get to you. Don't. If you need any help with this you'll find my e-mail address on my blog.

[Debra Hamel]

Thanks, Bill! I appreciate it.

I also am happy that my discovery of your blog didn't result in its premarture end after all. It would have been a great loss.

[damain]

Debra, I agree with Bill. Wearing my lawyer hat for a moment, the fact that they're asking you to confirm your personal details is quite laughable because lawsuits just don't commence like that.

Amazing the mileage one can try to get out of a radish! I wonder if we could develop bio-fuel from them

[Clare]

Very sad. Very desperate. In the meantime would just like to say that I have come across an exquisite little book called 'Dublin radishes: New varieties for the Metaphysical Self-Help market'. It is a best seller in the Metaphyscial Self-help radish market - which as you might guess, is huge. I recommend it highly.

[The Oracle]

Roxy Donnay has started at least three one-post blogs. Such dedication!

http://roxydonnay.blogspot.com/
http://rochellemoore.blogspot.com/

Equally impressive are the 48 individuals who all gave Rochelle Moore's books five stars in their Amazon reviews, and who all vouched for each other's reviews. Judging from the user names, Moore's loyal following (perhaps we should call them minions?) includes at least one PhD holder and one reasonably well known Irish author.

[Susan]

My comment on ignoring the barking dogs comes from a battle-weary lifetime. This scarred veteran's advice is to keep your back to the wall and save your sword arm for the tigers. Dogs you can handle with a boot.

Incidentally, my father was a lawyer and I recall him saying (thirty odd years ago, and in Canada, but perhaps it's still true..) the mere *threat* of a lawsuit is 'actionable'.

[nrkii]

Oooh, oooh, oooh, do a preemptive countersuit! I am sure you deserve a hefty settlement for all the anguish, loss of productivity and sleep, and psych visits and meds that you've now incurred as a result of this threat of legal action.

[Ian]

This is all very annoying, Debra. Let us know if there is something we can do, like boycott their books or something.

[Debra Hamel]

Thanks, Ian! I suspect your are already unwittingly boycotting the books. Lots of self-helpish sorts of things--aromatherapy and so on.

[Ian]

Excellent. I've got them right where I want them.

[Melanie]

Interesting stuff. On another subject, in re: Mandala Press, they were supposed to publish my brother's book last year and STILL have it as a pre-order. Meanwhile, he is counting on the proceeds to literally keep him alive in India. They do not communicate, and many of us have pre-ordered the book with no idea when and if it will be published. What kind of company is this??

[Debra Hamel]

I don't know anything about the company other than my experiences as described above. But I'd be worried if I were your brother.

[Donette Smock]

Today while surfing the internet I came acrosss this blog and was highly shocked to find this post by Mandala Press. No one from the Mandala Press EVER posted this comment . I do not know who T-Share is but this post supposedly by our company came as a surprise to me .

Please accept my apology from our company . We would NEVER threaten legal action for something like this. It appears that our author or someone has used our name without permission to make this post.

I sinncerely apologize fro ANY distress that this has cause you or anyone else . I intend to get ot the bottom of this if possible .

Donette Smock
Publisher
Sun Rising Books
Mandala Press

[Debra Hamel]

Thanks very much for the comment, Donette. I'm writing you off-blog....

[MARK]

With regard to Donette from Sunbooks this is a complete scam anyway. I have dealt with mandala/sunrise books and they are a shameless rip-off merchants who do every author they come in contact with. Furthermore I would say that the first letter you received was written by Scott from Mandala Press as this is exactly the sort thing he would do and has proven so in the past. The people that I feel sorry for here are the authors who deal with this fradulent company, the person who all the writing is about and yourself for having so much trouble when your site has nothing to do with mandala or sunrise books.
I actually doubt that this author even knows this entire fiasco is going on at all.
Mark

[Debra Hamel]

The original notes, though, mapped to Ireland, which is where the author lives, which suggests she was involved.