Ordinarily, I stay away from controversial topics. This site is here for entertainment, so I can write silly stories about silly things.
But I AM a writer, and I believe in the freedom to express my opinion, and for you to express yours. That is why I find this so upsetting.
Almost a week ago, Deborah at Writer’s Blog Alliance, which I am a member of, posted an entry concerning a situation with a well-known writing web site called Absolute Write.
Absolute Write was forced to shut down after a “literary agent” complained to the site owner’s hosting company. Barbara Bauer of Barbara Bauer Literary Agency is listed near the top of an article titled, Twenty Worst Agents, orignally written by Absolute Write. These “agents” are notorious for charging reading fees, while producing low sales for their clients’ books.
You can find the list at SFWA, and now at a growing number of blogs.
Further reading from Making Light suggests that this might be a coup by a former member of AW and Publish America author, who is trying to build her own writing site. See the backlash she’s received here. If this is true, then this woman robbed 7,000 people out of a much-cherished site.
As for Barbara Bauer, I haven’t seen anyone stand up to defend her. On the other hand, AW and the Writer’s Beware sites have received numerous complaints about her and the other agents listed.
Since then, quite a bit has happened.
Jenna Glatzer, the owner and editor-in-chief of Absolute Write, has resorted to legal alternatives in order to retrieve the AW databases after JC Hosting failed to return them. Boing Boing recently posted an article stating JC Hosting claims he is in a dispute with AW about bandwidth usage and other matters which could be the reason why they are not releasing the databases.
Until the forums are restored, Roger J. Carlson set up The AW Refugee Camp. You will find details about the google caching project. If you choose to participate, you must act quickly.
There are several other ways you can help support Absolute Write. Donations are currently being accepted. Visit Jenna’s blog for details. Dawno, an AW moderator, started OhDawno’s Ebil Library and Gifts with tons of merchandise for you to purchase (proceeds go to Absolute Write, of course). You can also help by simply spreading the word. Matt Dinniman made a few buttons that you can display on your website or blog (please upload the images to your own server).
Any help is much appreciated. Hopefully, this situation will be resolved soon.
Categories: Writing
Posted by Marti @ 
Oh that is quite sad to hear. I hope things will work out well
June 4th, 2006 at 8:40 am
Thank you for keeping your readers informed — every bit helps!!!
June 4th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
that’s a sweet thing you’re doing there
just figured you should know.
June 4th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Thanks, Marti! I’m glad you’re letting us know about this!
June 5th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Well that sure stinks. How does a hosting company get away with stuff like that?
June 5th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
It’s incredible how one person, who appears to benefit from all this, could cause so much grief. Thanks for the info. Hopefully, justice will be served and she’ll get her just desserts.
June 6th, 2006 at 12:06 am
Thank you so much for your support of AW! I guess you know that we’re up and running again. I just found some time to go look around at other blogs tonite and saw your link to mine at Technorati, so I wanted to come by and give you my personal thanks.
I’ll be sure to drop by when I can!
June 9th, 2006 at 1:14 am