Goodreads Still Keeping An Eye On Me

After all of this time that has passed, I see that the Goodreads staff is still popping in and checking out my blog. The truth is, I hardly ever check out anything on this blog. Once in a while I will come in and share some old posts with my Twitter followers. I still get a lot of views for having not posted in a coons age. (Raccoon, not a black guy. Just saying.)

If you looked at the first line, it told you the story of an organization that for as big as they are, obviously see me as still the "top dog" of the anti-bullying movement. lol

Thanks for making me feel important, Goodreads. 

I'm Carroll Bryant, and this is "The Looking Glass".

(Just wanted to do that for old times sake.)

(And this)

Things We Learned Today:

* Carroll Bryant is still the big cheese. Or maybe he cut the cheese. Jury is still out.

Goodreads, Bullies and Pedophiles

A lot of people talking about how much better Goodreads is becoming with all of these bully bans going on. Hey, good for Goodreads. Good for authors. Good for legitimate reviewers. There's still plenty of bullies that remain on Goodreads, and Goodreads still allows certain types of bullying to continue on authors that they (Goodreads) don't care for. Not everything is so hunky-dory.

However, recently, someone asked me if I would ever get back on Goodreads again. My answer was a resounding "NO"! I will never return to Goodreads for as long as certain other people are a part of that horrible website. Members and staff alike. Besides, I am not complaining about my book sales so, who needs them? Not I.

But there is still one other aspect about Goodreads that keeps me from ever considering to be a member of that site again. And that is the "sexual" role playing groups where adults and the underage interact with each other in an extreme sexual manner.

I know, I know, after I broke the news about it back in the day Goodreads Or Good Pedophilia Patrick Brown and company went right to work to "delete" these groups. However, they really weren't all deleted. All that happened was these groups went off the grid. Stealth. They are still there, you just can't see them.

Anyhow, I would never go back to Goodreads until someone from the DOJ (Department of Justice) announces that Goodreads is no longer allowing adults to interact with children in a sexual manner on their website. Call me old fashioned but, I don't want to be associated with a website that permits child pornography to take place on said website. But that's just me.

And so while it is good that bullies are "seemingly" being banned from Goodreads, there is still a lot of progress that needs to be made on that front, and the child exploitation front as well.

I'm Carroll Bryant and this is ..... wait! I don't do that anymore, do I? 

Goodreads Member Karl Jones Sentenced For Sex Crimes

In September of 2013, I posted an article ( Goodreads Pedo Alert: Karl Jones ) that warned about an active pedophile living in the UK lurking on Goodreads. He was also actively involved in sexual role-play groups on Goodreads.com and interacting with minors. In fact, the very first story I posted here on "The Glass" was ( Goodreads: Or Good Pedophilia ) which covered the high volume of sexually charged role-play groups on Goodreads and the involvement of adults and minors within those groups.

Only later, and most recently, did I learn that this man, Karl Jones, who posed as an "author" was actually plagiarizing author Geraldine Evans. ( Karl Jones Plagiarizes )

Today, I would like to wrap up that story by announcing Karl Jones has been sentenced to 49 months for his sexual crimes of sexually assaulting a four year old girl and for having child porn images on his computer. ( Writer Jailed For Molesting Girl )

One can only wonder though how many other under-aged girls Karl Jones has interacted with on the Goodreads website. Perhaps we will never know that answer. More concerning is: How many other adult sexual predators are on Goodreads right this moment in a sexual role-play group and sexually role-playing with a minor? Perhaps we will never know the true answer to that one either.

When you have a website like Goodreads that caters to readers of all ages, and that site also allows highly charged sexual role-play groups to exist, it is only inevitable that these sexual predators will prey on the young within that website. My article regarding this issue clearly shows that not only could it happen, but it did hapen and is happening right this minute, even to this day.

It is up to the parents to monitor their children's activity on the internet, and their activity on Goodreads.com. This conviction of Karl Jones is proof positive that all of my warnings were nightmares that came true. And the final questions we (you) have to ask is: How many other "Karl Jones" are there on Goodreads preying on children, flying under the radar? And, is that child your child?

When the Pandora Box of sins is opened, this is exactly the kind of thing one can expect. It is up to you the people to make the difference and call for change. It is up to you to contact Goodreads and demand that all sexual role-play groups be banned - PERIOD! And to report this activity to authorities when you stumble across it.

As for Karl Jones, he will be in jail for the next four years. However, what happens when he is released? Will he return to Goodreads again to stalk under-aged girls once more? And if so, who will stop him? Goodreads? ..... I doubt that. They are too busy counting their money. And let's face it, Karl Jones will be released eventually, and he will attempt to join back up on Goodreads - and perhaps under a different name. He will join back up with them because he is a sexual predator. He knows there are minors on Goodreads. He knows there are sexual role-play groups on Goodreads. And he knows there are minors participating in these sexual role-play groups. He also knows that Goodreads is doing nothing to stop him. Only you the people can stop him.

I will do my best to keep you all informed and updated regarding Karl Jones and his release. But in the event it slips my grasp, perhaps preventive measures can be implemented. But if this is to occur, the only people who can ensure this is you, the Goodreads members.

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.

Fickled Bullies, Kara Erickson and STGRB

According to Randolph "Dilda" Carter, another mass exodus has occurred where the bullies are concerned.

Yes, it would appear that the bullies, despite their "promises" of leaving Badreads for good, are returning to their old stomping grounds. Also, as expected, many of them have turned to "Leafmarks", too, to continue their author bashing over there.

I did a post about "Leafmarks" already. I think we have established their connection to "Bully Nation". However, according to this Randolph Carter, the bullies have tired of "Bulllylikes" - despite their warm hospitality to accepting the bullies - and have (or are currently) defecting back to the "enemy" of whom they have accused of violating their "freedom of hate". (I mean, speech.)

Fickle indeed. 

Randolph has also update everyone on the whereabouts of one Kara Erickson. You remember her, right? Maybe you remember this?

Anyhow, it seems she is no longer an GR employee, and hasn't been since November. Kara was one of the secret weapons used by the bullies. She and Emily Finley assisted in banning many of the victims of the GR bullies. Then when public scrutiny got to be too much, and GR had to finally start making it appear as if they actually "cared" about the bullying and wanted it to "stop". Poor Kara had to actually start doing the right thing and turn against her bully pals. I guess she couldn't take the heat and left.

Of course, now that GR has bought out STGRB, STGRB has recently come to her defense in a post titled "The Bullies Track Down Kara". No shocker there. Ever since STGRB and Goodreads became best buds, STGRB is now contractually obligated to "praise" Goodreads at every turn. (Including current and former employees evidently.) It was part of their agreement. (An agreement that I cannot prove, but all the circumstantial evidence suggests.) 

STGRB has also become the official "Goodreads" public announcers too, or so, the evidence would suggest yet again. 

So, if you want to keep up with all the happenings on Goodreads, then you might want to check out STGRB. They are in good cahoots with GR and they seem to know everything that is going on. From enemies to best friends overnight, STGRB and Goodreads, teaming up to help ***coughfightcough*** author bullying. 

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.

Goodreads: Or Good Pedophilia? (The Book)

I have been reading some bully comments lately that have been posted on Booklikes and Goodresds as well as other places, like the bully blogs and such. Much of their discussions revolved around the question of, "Whi is going to give a shit about me being stalked? And author attacks on Goodreads? Carpet bombing, fraudulent API and the like?

That was a very good question. Who will give a shit? Probably not too many.

 

This is when I began to realize that I had to turn the focus away from me and turn it to another direction. But what direction? Then it dawned on me that there are far more important issues that I could focus on, one of which is the sexually explicit role play groups involving adults and minors on Goodreads. I mean, I still have plenty more screenshots on file that I never used for my articles covering that issue. I could use some of those shots for the book. I could also tell my personal story within the book, and still mention all of the other things going on, but only reveal those things as a secondary backdrop to the real problem. The real issue. The most important story of them all. The dangers that children face on Goodreads to online child predators. I could even use the Karl Jones story as a prime example to my point.

 

And so, I have decided to change the title (and the focus) of my book from "Goodreads: Meet Your Next Stalker", to, "Goodreads: Or Good Pedophilia?".

 

Basically, it's the same book telling the same story only, with a much more enticing title for all of those who still haven't heard about the sexual role plays on Goodreads. I figure anyone who stumbles across that title would be more inclined to read the book than if it was just a book about internet stalkers and bullies. Not to mention, it would also bring more interested and concerned readers to my article of the same title. Pretty clever, huh?

 

So I am sending out my thanks to the Goodreads / Amazon / Booklikes "Bully Nation" for giving me something to think about. I totally agree with you in that no one is really going to care about me being stalked or bullied or any other author for that matter. But people just might be interested in the dangers children face from online child predators that are lurking on Goodreads in sexual role play groups. It is, after all, way more important than everything else that is going on. Wouldn't you agree?

 

I also believe that the ads and promotion I will be putting behind this book when it is released will draw much more interest too. Thanks again bullies, I knew I could count on you to steer me in the right direction. Well done.  

 

 

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.

 

 

 

Goodreads Bullies Protest Wikipedia

Here we go, just another day in psycho land. In a recent development, it would appear that the Goodreads bullies have discovered Wikipedia. To make matters more insane, they are taking issue with what Wikipedia has posted in regards to the policy change over on Goodreads. Check it out.

It would appear that "Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship" has a problem with Wikipedia using the phrase "Anti-bullying" and "abusive" comments. But why? Why does she have a problem with this? This is exactly what GR explained when it "updated" and began "enforcing" their policy.

It's simple, a book review is supposed to be about a book, not about the person who wrote it. There are other places where a "hater" or "bully" can do that, and a book review is not one of them. Or at least, it shouldn't be. But these people just can't comprehend this for some unknown reason.

Another thing that bugs me about "Emma's" complaint is, how does she know that the Wikipedia article is talking about "her"? I mean, in no where on the GR Wiki page does it mentions any names or points any fingers. So why is she, and Bully Nation on Goodreads, so up in arms about it? Or is it like that old saying, when someone mentions a word, the person (or people) themselves automatically know that it is referring to them?  They know who "they" are?

I could understand if I used the word "bully", or if STGRB or any other person who has picked up the cause to fight cyber bullying and stalking used it, then everyone who has been keeping up with the situation would know exactly whom we are talking about. However, when a place like Wikipedia uses the word, how would these bullies know that Wikipedia was talking about them specifically? I guess the "bullies" know exactly who they are to think that an unbiased company like Wikipedia, when they use the word, would be referring to them directly.

Oh, the guilty mind always knows, doesn't it?

I'm not the least bit offended or outraged over anybody using the word "bully" because I know I am not a bully, and it is not talking about me, but check out some more comments to the Goodreads Wikipedia page, it gets more interesting.

"Thalia" seems to think that Wikipedia should be more objective. WHAT? How much more objective can Wikipedia be? It's only telling the truth, and I know for a fact that Wikipedia wouldn't put that on the GR page without GR's approval. They only put up what Otis Chandler approves. (Like I said, I know this for a FACT!)

I suppose if I used the phrase "stupid people" and someone was upset by it, then that person who was upset by it must think of themselves as "stupid"? Using this analogy, I can see why the "bullies" are so upset over Wikipedia using the word "bully".

"Karma Bites" must be upset that Wikipedia referenced Mercy Pilkington's article. 

Then "Emma" contributes some more bully wisdom in her comment by saying: "Even Goodreads itself didn't announce it as an 'anti-bullying' policy. It was a 'don't use review space to talk about author behavior' policy.

First of all, yes, Goodreads did announce it as an "anti-bullying" policy. In fact, they already had that written into their ToS before they "updated" it. It just so happens that they finally got around to somewhat "enforcing" it. Secondly, when you talk about someone's behavior in a "book review", then guess what? It is BULLYING! 

The reason it is perceived as bullying is because, why else would someone do that in the first place? People looking for a book to read don't care about an authors behavior. Not "real" readers anyway. They couldn't care less. Also, what does an authors behavior have to do with the book? .... Nothing! Not to mention, when the bullies do this, they claim they are doing the "world" a great favor, but when I, or anyone else, write about their "behavior" in doing it, they call it "bullying". 

You can't have your hypocrisy cake and eat it too! 

But it gets much better, check it out. 

"Emma" still wants to make it "fair and balanced". SMH It already is fair and balanced "Emma", it's just in your guilty mind, you know you're a bully. This is why in your mind it's not "fair and balanced". 

Take a look at some more of the responses.

This next shot is my personal favorite. Take a look.

Yes! Someone thinks I am a person of "repute", yet because of this, that person is obviously of a "partisan" view. 

As opposed to what, "Cruth"? A person like you who dislikes me doesn't have a "partisan" view? Really? I mean, what evidence do you have that shows I am not a person of "repute"? Do you have any proof that I ever complained about a legitimate bad review? Do you have any evidence showing that I stalked and harassed anyone? Do you have proof that I am a pedophile as so many of you bullies claim? Do you have any screenshots to provide us with that shows I am doing anything "wrong" or being "bad" in your "not so humble" opinion?

The answer to all of those questions is a resounding NO!

But this is the bully mentality. When they "hate" someone, it's not "partisan" or "biased" at all. But then someone doesn't agree with them or share the same sentiments, or better still, even "likes" me or places me in "repute", then obviously, it's a "partisan" view. 

That pretty much sums up the bully mentality right there. That and the fact that "they" (the bullies) have a problem with Wikipedia using the word "bully" or the phrase, "anti-bullying".

Here are some more responses.

(Pay special attention to "Fish Lips", I have a "shocker" for you at the end.)

Go already! ... All of you! ... Stop threatening and just do it for Pete's sake. Geesh.

And now, remember "Fish Lips"? Well, to understand this last screenshot of the post you first have to reflect back to all the times the Goodreads bullies accused me and people at STGRB and many others of using sock puppets, and in the same breath, claiming that they never do that despite the many times STGRB has proved them to doing it. Well, here we have some more evidence that these bullies do indeed use sock puppets. Check it out. 

Of course you're "Petra", "Fish Lips", and of course you're using a sock puppet. You're a bully. That's the bully way. Thanks for the disclosure though. 

(Roll. My. Freaking. Eyes.)

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.

Things We Learned Today:

* The bullies are always offended by the word "bully" no matter who says it

* The bullies know who (and what) they are

* "Fish Lips" is a sock puppet of "Petra"

* Someone thinks Carroll is of repute

* To like Carroll or think he is of repute, is to be "partisan"

* Bully is as bully does

* Carroll said "hypocrisy cake"

* Wikipedia only writes what Otis Chandler approves

* The bullies do not understand how Wikipedia works

* Wikipedia only writes what can be basically proven or the facts

* A bullies work is never done

Goodreads Family Portrait

I thought it would be nice to post the "Goodreads Family Portrait". Every family that supports, endorses, condones and allows bullying on their website should at least have a family portrait to commemorate their position, wouldn't you agree? Well, this is Goodreads Family Portrait day. All the people who works for GR, supports a website that allows bullying, stalking, harassing and libelous comments against other people on their site.

I know what you're thinking: That these are just people who are doing their jobs and trying to earn a living. - Yeah well, so was Colonel Klink on "Hogan's Heros". That still didn't stop him from being a Nazi now, did it?

Please note: This was taken from the Goodreads website and is publicly accessible to everyone.

Goodreads Founder Otis Chandler Lies

I saw this video and it almost made me want to puke. But in keeping up with my streak of nearly 15 years going without upchucking, I was able to hold it off.

Otis Chandler, founder of Goodreads, lies out of his arse in this video interview. While the idea of what he describes that Goodreads is may have been the dream, the reality of Gooodreads is quite different. I think we all have seen evidence of that a-plenty!

Be that as it may, here is Otis Chandler, founder of Goodreads trying to convince the world that Goodreads is a place where book lovers can meet in peaceful harmony to discuss books. You'll notice, of course, he, like Patrick Brown, fails to mention that Goodreads supports, endorses, encourages, and fosters a hostile environment towards authors and protects bullies. And is a death sentence to authors and their careers.

Just don't eat anything yet if you haven't already. If you have eaten recently, wait about an hour then watch the video. LOL

The Word Is Out: Goodreads Bully Nation Crumbling

The word is out ya'll. Is that a light at the end of the tunnel that I see? 

CNN Money

GIGAOM

The Washington Post

Media Bistro

Good E-Reader

Good E-Reader (Again)

Goodreads Fires Kara Erickson?

An interesting comment made by "N" has many asking questions. It would appear that Kara Erickson, Director of customer care for Goodreads, has been relieved of her duties. It has been widely speculated by yours truly that Kara was assisting the bullies in their attacks against authors in book reviews and comments. My recent post, "Goodreads Staff Bullies: Kara Erickson, Emily Finley" called into question their participation and or assistance with the Goodreads bullies in attacking authors and honest readers/reviewers. No word if that post, and others mentioning their possible involvement, contributed to Amazon looking into their behavior and led them to any evidence that supported my suspicions. However, this is yet another step in the right direction for Goodreads. It is my hope that more of those who are responsible for so many senseless and pointless attacks against authors and those who showed support for bullied authors on Goodreads, are held accountable for their actions.

While I hate to see anybody lose their job in such a bad economy, I also have to think about all the pain Kara Erickson may have assisted in causing by supporting those who have shown time and time again that they're only ambition is to destroy reputations and careers with their needless attacks.

Good job, Amazon, I am glad to see real action being taken in an effort to make Goodreads a better place for everyone.

As for Kara Erickson, all I care to say is, shame on you. Shame on you for protecting people who get cheap laughs off of hurting others. You had a responsibility to help those who needed it and instead, you took sides. Worse than that, you took the wrong side. So if indeed this comment on Goodreads is true, then you have no one else to blame but yourself.

And so it would appear that the bullies on Goodreads can add yet another victim to their total. Because of these people. many have lost accounts, book sales, blogs, and now, someone's employment. I anticipate more fallout from the damage that these bullies have caused through the years and through their actions. I'll keep everyone informed as best I can.

My thanks to author Rick Carufel for supplying this screenshot. 

 I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass. 

Goodreads: State Of Affairs

Ever since Goodreads made their announcement to "clean" up the negative stuff in hopes of making their site more friendly, the bully revolt has been in full force. They have been going around and demonstrating exactly what I and STGRB and now, many others, have been saying for so long, that these people we dubbed "The Goodreads Bullies" are indeed not real reviewers, but bullies. This following screenshot tells the tale.

I know we all like to think that at some point, we stand for a cause. We fight for that cause with everything we have inside and believe in it whole-heartily. But then there comes a time when we have to take a step back and ask ourselves what it is exactly we are becoming. What are we really doing here in the middle of the fight?

Even General Patton eventually became his own worst enemy when he got addicted to war, and forgot about the cause. In the end of his life, General Patton made enemies of friends. Not because he turned mean, but rather, he forgot the cause and became addicted to the fight. To the war. In the end, he didn't care what the cause was, he just wanted to fight somebody, anybody!

I'm now beginning to see this is some people from both sides. For a select few, it's not about a cause anymore, it's about the fear of the war ending.

I myself look forward to the day when I can shut down The Looking Glass. That day will come when I see Goodreads enforcing their ToS fairly to both authors and reviewers. And when I see those authors who were treated unfairly in the past by Goodreads staff, and allowed the opportunity to return to their GR author pages that they were banned from, then I will see the opportunity for me to shut this blog down.

And I long for that day. 

You see, I'm not addicted to the fight. I am sticking to the cause. When the cause is no longer there, neither will I be. 

This post is a message to all on both sides of the battle. (Some of them know who I am talking about) Have you turned into General Patton? Are you still fighting for a cause or have you become addicted to the war? 

Hate destroys and divides. If you are someone who feels that you need to make a list of some kind, or even book shelves to keep track of all those you hate, those you have never met personally, then it is you who needs to look into the mirror and ask, "Why do I hate so much?"

Love, and civility, on the other hand, brings about peace. If you have nothing nice to say about someone, maybe it's best to just be civil and say nothing at all. Not even in book reviews. That is what brings about peace. 

To not practice this could mean, you're not fighting for a cause, but rather, you could be addicted to war. 

Is that how you really want to live your life?

I'm Carroll Bryant ..... and this is The Looking Glass.

Amazon: The Clock Is Ticking

A couple months or so ago I went to the Amazon Facebook page and left them a one star review. I'm not sure why I did it. I guess my frustrations regarding their "review policy" on their Kindle Forum Boards finally wore on me. Sometimes, you just have to say your peace, and get it out. Well, much to my surprise, I got a response from them, someone by the name of Chey. Check it out.

As you can see, I have yet to get another response.

As I have reported last month, Amazon Kindle Boards Alexa rankings have plummeted in recent months. Over 190,000 spots. That's a lot for a site such as theirs. Perhaps this is the reason why a few months ago, there was talk on the forum about Amazon considering to get rid of the forum. It could have just been idle talk on their part, you know, say you're thinking about taking the forum down and then word gets out and everybody starts to panic a little and people come back to the forum in hopes by participating more, they will reconsider. 

I also attributed their falling numbers to the fact that real readers don't want to risk having to deal with the bullies and trolls lurking on the forum. Just like with the Goodreads decline. It doesn't matter if you have 20 million members when only a few hundred thousand are participating.

These bullies/trolls are like cockroaches. Once they infest your house, it is hard to get rid of them, but if you act swiftly in the beginning, you have a good chance to clean house. Amazon and Goodreads failed to do that and instead, actually endorsed it. Once cockroaches get out of control, the only way to get rid of them is to take down the house, burn it. Burn it all. Then maybe rebuild. 

But the fault isn't just in the roaches, it's sits on the shoulders of those who looked the other way when they showed their little heads. When you operate with inconsistency in upholding your own rules, and ToS like Goodreads and Amazon, this is what eventually happens. When you don't have any morality to stand on, people are quick to notice. And when you constantly remove legitimate reviews and allow known fake reviews to stand, you send the wrong message to your customers. Such is the case with this next screenshot. A review written by one of the bullies/trolls that clearly violates Amazon Fora review policy by mentioning another book in the review yet, despite this review being flagged repeatedly, it remains as of this writing.

Here is a shot of their review policy.

Actual proof of why Amazon Kindle Forum Boards is failing.

So if when Amazon actually does decide to take down the Forum, it would be easy to blame the bullies/trolls. It would be a lot easier though to just blame those in charge for allowing the cockroaches to take over their house in the first place. After all, these roaches are filled with a nasty disease called hate. And let's face it, hate loses every time.

If Amazon doesn't learn this lesson, then how long before we see them pull the plug on Goodreads? I mean, the very same thing is happening there too. The clock is ticking.  

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.

Things We Learned Today:

* Cockroaches are bad

* Goodreads is on the clock

* Hate loses every time

Goodreads: Smoke And Mirrors

There certainly appears to be a lot of celebration going on lately. Ever since the "big" announcement on STGRB that Goodreads is "cleaning house" by way of deleting author bashing book shelves. I think there are a lot of people suffering from concussions by way of hitting their heads on their ceilings from jubilation of the news.

What the hell?

Really? This is exciting to you? Goodreads starts deleting author bashing book shelves and you're pissing your pants over it? 

Here's the thing; I'm not buying it. And no, it's not because I'm some disgruntled old man who simply enjoys chasing the unruly teenagers off his lawn either. I'm not buying it because, in the scheme of things, it's small potato's. There are a lot more important things than author bashing book shelves. 

While I might bend just enough to say it "could" be a step in the right direction for Goodreads, let's just call it what it really is; a miniscule step at best. 

I, more accurately, refer to it as simply smoke and mirrors. A dog and pony show. While everyone else seems to be elated to accept Patrick Brown's table scraps, I will reserve my elation until I see actual efforts of goodwill. Meaning; when it comes to doing the right thing, you're either "all in" - or your not. 

Goodreads, Patrick Brown, is not "all in". (Not yet anyway)

So, you're probably asking, "What do you consider to be "all in" Carroll? What is it that you are waiting to see from Goodreads and Patrick Brown that will finally convince you that Goodreads is now finally starting to "change" their ways in regards to this bullying issue?"

Very good question. Allow me to answer.

I will be more impressed when Goodreads starts to delete author bashing reviews. I give those higher priority. Let's face it, if author bashing book shelves are an issue, then why isn't author bashing reviews an issue? See where I'm going with this? 

If calling an author an asshole is wrong for a book shelf then how is it not wrong for a book review? To me, it's more of a priority to delete that as opposed to the book shelves. 

Yes, the book shelves should be deleted. Yes, it's a nice little gesture, but then again, so is opening the door for someone, but who is to say the person opening the door for you won't slam it shut on you once you start to walk through? 

If I were to be given the choice of what to start deleting first, author bashing book shelves would be last on the list. The first thing on it would be, delete the author bashing reviews. 

Then there is account deletion. Yesterday, in all the excitement of the "big" news, many have overlooked that three, count them, three member accounts (at least) that I know of were deleted by Goodreads staff. One account was of Mary Shelly, who saw her account get deleted after she made a comment on STGRB. A second account was deleted of a member who showed support for bullied authors. Her account name was "Sugar Sinn". And finally, another member account was deleted when a girl flagged the reviews on my books that are bully reviews. 

Doesn't sound like Goodreads is doing anything good to me. It sounds like Goodreads is still up to their same old shit. I would be really super-duper impressed if Goodreads actually started to delete the accounts of those who are in fact violating their ToS. You know, the ones leaving those author bashing reviews. People like, "All Hail Gimlock", "Steph Sinclair", "ETA:Soon", "Mrs. Joseph", "Belle", "Ade", "Pete Morin", and the like. 

Instead of stalking my blog and STGRB looking for comments by our supporters, and deleting their accounts, why isn't Goodreads deleting the accounts of those who are actually violating their ToS and bashing authors? And while we're on the subject, why is Patrick Brown and his staff going after people who comment on sites outside of GR and deleting their accounts for simply speaking their opinion and or disdain for GR? Those comments are not being made on Goodreads. Nobody is violating GR ToS by speaking about the matter on an outside blog or website. Talk about attacking people who are exercising their right to free speech. It just looks to suspicious to me, and very unprofessional there, Patrick. Do you have "soft skin"? Well, maybe you should take the bullies advice to authors and grow some thick skin there yourself big boy. 

So yes, instead of deleting membership accounts on Goodreads of members who are not violating GR ToS, how about Goodreads start deleting the membership accounts of those who are? 

And finally, for goodreads to go "all in", maybe a good gesture in that direction would be if GR offered to reinstate those authors (and other former members) who were attacked by the bullies and banned. You know, since no evidence has ever been shown that the people who were banned had ever violated the GR ToS in the first place. You see, that would be a reason for celebration. That would be the miracle. Kind of like watching Jesus turn water into wine. That's what would impress the shit out of me. I would risk my own concussion for that occurrence. 

So you see, while I am happy that, on the surface, some progress appears to have been made, the cold hard fact is, it's not. Not yet anyway. So excuse me if I don't carelessly jump into the pool on this one. There's still more evidence pointing to this as being nothing more than smoke and mirrors. A dog and pony show. A public relations stunt from a website that could use the slightest uplifting story to try and counter balance all the negative ones preceding it. 

And no, I don't see anything that would even remotely suggest to me that Amazon, Goodreads, or Patrick Brown is "all in" when it comes to righting the wrong. Or doing the right thing in general. I'm sorry, I just don't see it. 

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.


Update:

Well, that didn't take long at all. Shortly after this article was posted, I got this email. The identity of this person has been covered.

My thoughts EXACTLY!



Update: 09-24-2013:

I just found out recently that Mary Shelly was really Rick Carufel. Do I feel a bit humiliated about it right now? Yes. But I'm a big boy so I guess I'll get over it. However, the other people who had their accounts deleted on Goodreads, to my knowledge, were not socks. If I learn different in the future, I'll update this post again. 

Things We Learned Today:

* Deleting author bashing book shelves is fine, but what about the author bashing reviews?

* My supporters and those of STGRB are still having their accounts deleted for things they say away from Goodreads

* The Goodreads staff are still stalking my blog and STGRB 

* The GR bullies accounts are not being deleted

* Dog and Pony shows are cute, but this one being performed by Patrick Brown and Goodreads is not

* Concussions are bad for you

* Carroll Bryant isn't buying that Goodreads really wants to put an end to bullying on their website, or are enforcing their ToS fairly and evenly 

* Goodreads bullies are still getting preferential treatment from the GR staff 

  

  

Goodreads Staff Bullies: Kara Erickson, Emily Finley

As everyone knows by now, I have taken on the fight against cyber-bullying and stalking. Just as the website STGRB has. The fact is, I didn't really have much of a choice in the matter seeing that I was recruited to fight this battle by the bullies themselves.

The biggest battleground, for me, started on Goodreads. Not to take away from what is happening on the Amazon forum boards. Most of the bullying taking place on both of these sites are done so primarily by the same people. The fact that Amazon has bought out Goodreads hasn't lifted any spirits of these bully attacks being stopped any time soon.

These bully attacks started out against primarily Independent authors. Recently, however, the bullies have started to attack reviewers as well. But only those reviewers who write poor reviews or rate poorly, books written by the authors who run with the bully crowd. In many cases, reviewers have seen their accounts on Goodreads get deleted because of this.

One of the biggest questions being asked is; Who are the people deleting these accounts? Obviously, the bullies are in cahoots with someone at the top of the Goodreads chain. (And I'm not just talking about bully supporter, and Goodreads community manager, Patrick Brown.)

My advice to Indie authors and reviewers would be, if you are targeted by the Goodreads bullies, don't expect help from Goodreads. Today I am going to introduce you to two people that perhaps at first glance, you may think they will be able to help you if you are attacked, but in reality, are in cahoots with the Goodreads bullies.

Many times, when reading articles on STGRB where people are reporting their Goodreads accounts being deleted, and them receiving some kind of email response from a Goodreads employee, that response is coming from Kara Erickson or Emily Finley, two Goodreads employees. In some cases, their name appears on the "deletion" notices.

My point is this, do not be fooled into believing that these two women will be able to help. Or willing to help you, because they can't, and they won't.

So if you are a member of Goodreads, and you get attacked by the Goodreads bullies, or if you witness an attack and think you can get some kind of assistance from any of these two women, or Patrick Brown, know this - you won't. If anything, going to them may only worsen the situation. And / or get you banned from Goodreads.

The best course of action is to just block and ignore these bullies. Most of them don't have a lot of friends anyway because many of you have caught on to who these bullies are, and already are staying away from them. But for those who have yet to figure out who's who in Bully Nation, and you cross paths with these people (which is a nice way of saying, if you are targeted by them) then you might want to refrain from contacting any Goodreads employees. Especially, these two females.

You may also want to be careful about contacting any Goodreads librarians. A good majority of the bullies are Goodreads librarians so, be careful. If you are friends with any Goodreads librarians, and you get attacked or witness an attack, do not complain about it to them, but simply, ask questions like, "I saw such and such going on and wanted to know what you think I should do to help the victim and or prevent this kind of thing from happening again."

Just remember that many of these librarians are friends with other librarians too. Make sure you are confident that your friendship with a Goodreads librarian is stronger than their relationship with another Goodreads librarian. Other wise, you might find out the hard way that you got profiled as being an instigator and the next thing you know, your Goodreads account is deleted and you are banned.

I'm not saying you have to back down or roll over and run away from these vile individuals, but if you choose to stand your ground, do so as respectively as you can if you value your Goodreads account.

I hope this post has helped you in some way. I think the key to having the best experience possible on a website that is filled with such nasty people such as Goodreads or Amazon Forum Boards is to know who to avoid and to know your best course of action once they decide to target you or someone you know.

As for Kara and Emily, this next screenshot is a response they sent to author Eve Thomas telling her that she had been banned from Goodreads after the bullies attacked her on her GR blog and her books. (STGRB covered it) And when Eve tried to reach out to them and apologize, what did the bullies do? They contacted Eve's charity and tried to get her into trouble. This is how criminal these bullies get.

In this next screenshot, we see TinaNicole mentioning something interesting. Take a look. 

It certainly paints a picture that Angela Horn is in deep cahoots with Kara and Emily. Or at least they were until finally, Angela got the boot. Then again, Patrick Brown knew that this post was coming. He may have done this to try and discredit the notion that he and his staff don't support the bullies. However, there's still way too much evidence that suggests otherwise. The thing is though, Angela Horn didn't get the full boot, her sock account, "ETA:Soon", is still very much active. Nice try, Patrick, but you're not fooling me any. Thus, you're not fooling my readers either.

Eve tried to explain the situation to Kara and Emily but obviously, Kara and Emily (like Patrick Brown) are in cahoots with the bullies. Poor Eve didn't stand a chance.

You have been informed. What you do with this information is now up to you.


Update:

In a recent STGRB POST - it was reported that Goodreads is now in the process of deleting "author bashing" reviews. They show screenshots of Kara explaining their "new" rules or "policy". However, this is a false claim. (Not STGRB's fault) Because the truth is, Goodreads is only removing author bashing reviews / bookshelves, and member accounts of those people who show signs of supporting either myself or STGRB. Or from bullied authors who have yet to show their support for me and or STGRB. In other words, if you're an author and they (Goodreads staff) like you, you're safe. But if they don't like you, then they are not going to enforce their ToS. 

I got an email the other day from a girl who showed support for me and other authors by listing books in bookshelves of those authors who are a part of Goodreads Bully Nation with nothing more than "Will Not Read" titles. And she listed those authors who were bullied in positive shelves. This girl also informed me that she rarely commented on the site for fear of retribution. Meanwhile, none of this mattered. But because she showed support for me, her account got deleted recently once this new "policy" change was posted by Kara.

Another friend of mine flagged the reviews of my books that "talk about me and in return, her account got deleted.

Also, Mary Shelly made this comment in response to the Goodreads announcement on STGRB's post. Take a look.

And what did Patrick Brown, Kara and Emily do in response? Take a look for yourself.

That's right, they deleted Mary's account.

Nothing has changed. Goodreads continues to side with the bullies. Patrick Brown, Kara Erickson, and Emily Finley continue to target those whom they do not like. Or those the deem to be supporters of myself and STGRB. Anything they say to the contrary is a smoke-screen and utter bullshit. Which is why anyone who stands against the bullies must continue to hide anonymously for fear of retribution, not only from the bullies themselves, but from the bully staff on Goodreads. (Patrick Brown, Kara Erickson, and Emily Finley) 

I am sorry for you, Mary, in what Patrick Brown and his bully staff did to your account. And to the girl who emailed me her story. 

So in short, please do not believe Kara or any staff member on Goodreads when they make such announcements on the site that might indicate they are doing something about the bully problem within. The truth is, they are not going after the bullies, they are going after those who stand against the bullies on Goodreads. And why? Because it's simple, Patrick Brown and his bully staff do not see the real bullies as bullies, nor themselves, but rather, they see anyone who supports me and STGRB as the real bullies. So it would stand to reason that those would be the ones they would target.

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.

Things We Learned Today:

* Just because they are Goodreads employees, doesn't mean they are "good" people

* Goodreads continues to support / protect the real bullies

* Patrick Brown, Kara Erickson, and Emily Finley (and the rest of the Goodreads staff) are bullies themselves.

* If The Goodreads staff don't like you, you're gone

Goodreads Pedo Alert: Karl Jones

It's a fine line between freedom of speech and libel. Take for instance - myself. There are a lot of Goodreads bullies who accused me of crimes I have never been convicted of. Crimes ranging from being a pedophile to rape. And just about everything in between. Freedom of speech is the right to express your opinion where as libel is accusing people of things that can't be proven or are just downright false. Now, have these bullies on Goodreads had evidence to support their claims, then we wouldn't be talking about freedom of speech or libel anymore, but rather, a simple fact. Which is where we begin with this post. I am not posting my opinion here, nor am I libeling, I'm just presenting the facts in regards to an author who resides on Goodreads. An author that just might scare the bejesus right out of you, and because of these facts, I ask the questions that need to be answered.

Remember back when I started The Looking Glass and I reported on the sexual role plays going on over at Goodreads? Remember how I showed adult men interacting with minors? Remember when I showed you a profile of a man in his 50's claiming that he keeps girls panties as trophies, right on his own profile? Remember how I feared that those sexual role plays could entice possible pedophiles? Well, meet Karl Jones, a Goodreads author.

And oh, by the way, a convicted pedophile in the UK.

You can read about it HERE

As you can see by the date listed, his legal troubles are very recent. he was found guilty of storing child pornography images on his computer. Kind of scary, isn't it? Well, there's more. I also took a peek at the groups he is a member of on Goodreads. Perhaps we can take a look at that. 

If you noticed, he has a couple of BDSM groups listed. One of them is "Erotic Enchantments". Interesting.  

Their group picture sure gets my juices flowing. Very sexy. 

Karl is also a member of a group called "Kindle Smut".

I see for this group that a very well known bully, Angela Horn, is a moderator of "Kindle Smut". Of course, Angela is hiding behind one of her famous sock puppets, "ETA:Soon". Very nice. 

Now, ever since my report on these sexual role plays that cater to both adults and minors, many of these groups went private. Some went completely stealth. Which means, we can no longer see if these groups continue to have adults and minors interacting in some sexually explicit manner. Stealth groups don't show up in any searches and can't be seen on people's group listing on their profile by non members. You would have to be a member to see their members list and to read the posts inside the group. But because we already know for a fact that Patrick Brown and the rest of the Goodreads staff doesn't do a good enough job policing this, how can we know for sure that online sexually explicit conversations are not taking place in these groups? And with that in mind, how do we know that Karl Jones, a convicted pedophile, isn't interacting with minors in these groups? What are these hidden and private groups hiding from the rest of the world? More importantly, is Karl Jones a member of one of these stealth role play groups that do not show up in any search? And if so, is he participating in sexual role plays with minors? Only a Goodreads staff member can answer that question. They are the only ones who can see what the rest of us can not see.

Getting scared now?

Further research into Karl Jones has revealed that his blog has been removed by Blogger.

But there's more. 

On November 6th, 2012, Karl Jones, a convicted pedophile, released a book titled, "Shattered". A story about two 14 year old girls being raped and murdered. The suspect in the book is an author. 

Now, if this was something that occurred with Karl years ago in his past, I might not have given too much concern over it. After all, people can change. But this conviction was recent. And he is listed on the sexual predator registry in the UK.

For anyone who thought that my fears of sexual predators using Goodreads as a playground to fulfill any of their sick and twisted fantasies, where minors are concerned, were fabricated, I guess now we have some kind of actual proof that registered sex offenders are on Goodreads and these sexually charged groups that have minors in them does indicate that, indeed, child predators do have access to them. And yes, Goodreads helps to facilitate by allowing these groups to exist on their website, allow minors to have access to them, allow adults to interact with them, and worse of all, they now allow these groups to be hidden from the public. Or maybe the worst part is, Goodreads does not monitor this like they should be. 

Perhaps now my warnings to parents in regards to the possibility of child sexual predators being on Goodreads will be taken a bit more seriously. I know this is only one man, and he is an author, but how many more are lurking about on Goodreads? How many of them are in hiding because they are not authors? 

Here's the thing, when you allow highly charged and sexually explicit role play groups to exist in the first place, like Goodreads did for so long, and seemingly continues to allow it, and within those RP groups, you have allowed adults and minors to coexist in them, and to interact sexually in those role plays with each other, then this is the kind of garbage you invite into your playground. 

I'll let you all contemplate this discovery. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a comment that Karl Jones left back in April of this year, right about the time his legal troubles were in full swing. This is also the last known comment that he made on Goodreads.

I'm Carroll Bryant .... and this is The Looking Glass.

Things We Learned Today:

* Karl Jones is an author

* Karl Jones is a convicted child sex predator

* Karl Jones is listed on the sexual predator data base in the UK

* Karl Jones is a member of BDSM groups and "Kindle Smut"

* Child sex predators are members of Goodreads

* Your child is at risk to sexual predators on Goodreads

* Carroll Bryant warned you back on February 1st, 2013