I questioned whether or not to post anything on this, but seeing that I ran ads for this person on my blog, supported “him” in other things, and he was featured on our book of the week and month, I guess I should at least say something.
The story is pretty clear. As I have learned today it is called Catfishing ( I didn’t even know the word).
E.S Skipper (or Emmett Skipper or Dylan Skipper whatever) doesn’t exist. A woman used this fake personalitly to create a person with a life and family writing a book using people to gain money ( I assume) and attention. This persons hurt me, my friends, people I don’t even know, but also someone who I call a dear friend.
I am feeling devastated for him! For me I am hurt, angry, sad and confused. This isn’t the first time it has happened to me and I am not that naive that I don’t know that not everything on social media is real. The first time it happened was back in my fan fiction roots where a so called family played a lot of people. The second time was something I will never forget because it came so close as I talked to this person every day, because he got cancer and died. We cried and grieved over a fake person. I mention these two situations just to show that it happens, to show how sick people really can be. In this current situation, the person made up an entire family, with family deaths, the need to take in a minor sibling, a brain tumor and brain surgery. Using sickness and even death, creating a whole fake life and family is still beyond my belief.
Yes people use synonym names like pennames. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you are open and honest about it. I am who I am, what you see is what you get, far from perfect with a lot of issues but at least I am real! This has rocked my ability to trust, as I’m sure it has many of you.
I hope my friend and his close friends who got affected in a very severe way can bounce back and move forward. My heart is reaching out towards you. I know I, and a lot of other people, are there to offer support or just comfortable silence.
To this “person”, if you are reading this, I believe you will get yours. There is a limit to how much is tolerable and this is beyond cruel and evil. This is harming people to the depth of their soul, feeding from their love, kindness and generosity and ooh yes I will believe you will be punished for that one way or another.
Obviously everything related to this “character” is been removed and deleted from Love Bytes.
There are different post you can find on fb or even on blogs that you can check out if you want .
Dani
I didn’t know what the term ‘catfish’ meant either. My 17 year old daughter had to explain it to me. But I agree. This was beyond cruel.
Dani Elle,
As you point out, this does happen and we all get taken in at some point. I know you’re real because I’ve hugged you, but I also believe most of the people I ‘know’ on-line are real too. This person is sick, there is no other explanation for what she did. I’m sorry you got sucked in too. A lot of good, kind hearted people got sucked in by her story and that’s sad that she took advantage of so many. Hang in there.
-AQG
Man, I have a physical copy of one of this person’s books I ordered from Amazon. It sounded like a good story and I was planning on reading it soon. Guess I will just toss it in recycling. Can’t bring myself to read something by a hurtful, dishonest person- whether it’s good or not. Very disappointing!
Makes everybody a little (lot) less trusting. Not sure if that’s good or bad.
It’s so hurtful to find out when people deceive you, for whatever reason. My heart goes out to the people who have been affected by this latest example. My hugs and heart and with them
If SHE is reading this, know you are no longer welcome in this community, your books, you, anything to do with you. Seek a therapist because there is something wrong with you.
To our friend, we love and adore you. You have plenty of real people with real hearts and minds who are devastated for you and are here for you always.
To everyone else, take what you’ve seen and learn from it, but do NOT let this “person” (I use the term loosely) shake your faith in everyone. They have stolen enough. Don’t let them steal that too. Hugs to all hurt and all those pulling together for them!
This whole situation makes me ill. I have only communicated with this person briefly on Facebook, but I’m glad I didn’t invest any more of my time and money into him/her and his/her books.
To everyone she hurt and deceived, I am so Sorry especially to the person they deceived the most! To her… People would have liked you, had you been a honest person, you had no right to deceive and manipulate so many. May you get what you deserve.
It’s really sad that this person had to hurt a sweet guy . If you can’t get by on your talent then don’t call yourself a author. I will never buy any books of yours because of your dishonesty. You are truly a despicable person
I’ve know very little of Catfishing only because of one of the stories I read from DSP last year. I’ve bought an anthology with this author it and after reading some of the reviews left on amazon about the this person I know that I won’t be able to enjoy it. Thank you for sharing this with us all so everyone can know and won’t fall for the lies and buy her books out of sympathy. I wish all the best to those who were hurt and deceived by this person.
I heard about his today and was so saddened to know a good friend was hurt because he is trusting. This sickens me.
*hugs*
Agh, how awful! I just hope you’re not blaming yourself for anything, because all the onus is on her. (I’ve always been a little wary of the ‘net in general, and it stinks to have another reminder why…) I’m so sorry this happened to you!
To friend someone and fall in love or come to love them as a good friend over time, then to find that person has lied about their whole life is devastating. What and who you thought you knew is gone. That person ceased to exist, never had existed, and in a sense, it feels like they’ve died.
I, too, was a friend of this person, but I’m not here for me. I want to express my sadness to those who were taken in by “her” and her lies.
As Dani said, I hope everyone bounces back in time.
To discover someone you thought a friend only to find everything about them is a fabrication is heartbreaking. To our friend and to you guys here at Lovebytes I hope you can move forward knowing you did nothing wrong but extend the hand of love and friendship. To the person who perpetuated such a series of lies and deceit – I don’t know how you sleep at night.
im so disgusted and I’ll from this evil suck coniving bit** I am so sorry for the ones she hurt especially the one person hurting the most ive met him in person and have nothing but redirect for him please know we are sll here for you hon
As for this sick individual you need help fast you are a disgrace to the human race
It is sad that something like this happened and in the midst of it all people got hurt by some cold b!tch’s actions!
Though most authors write under pen names, we don’t fall under false identities or wrap up others in our deceit and lies, and I hope that this person’s actions do not taint the “community” as a whole. For now, we will come together as friends do and hold each other up and be strong for those who were hurt!
I can’t imagine how mentally unbalanced someone must be to do this. My heart breaks for those who were hurt by her lies. And if she’s reading this, know that “karma’s a bitch and she’s coming for you!”
I am so sorry you are going through this I have gone through some thing like this 4 years go.Did the the whole ling thing was going to get married only to find out it was all a lie and I broke it off. I you need some one just to give you a hug just poke me and i’ll poke back with best wishes you can also just vent to me. Hugs M and every one else she hurt.
What she did was totally and utterly disgusting…I’ve spoke..over fb with the people who were affected by this sad excuse for a person and my heart breaks for them..especially the one who thought was in a deep relationship….I can’t believe that there are people out there that would do this…..why…..she could have been a good author with real friends and fans..there was no reason to do this….x
Sending you all love and healing hugs and Yes…. What you dish out returns to you ‘tenfold’. Everyone take heart…. She/He will not escape retribution.
I won’t forgive this woman for hurting my friends. They have big hearts and don’t deserve to be abused like this. Our bruised community will heal, as it always does, but I hate the way it drains the trust from us. Much love to you,
Dani.