Comments on: A Guide to Ethical Self-Promotion

By: Matt (Same poster as #60)

Matt (Same poster as #60) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:50:42 +0000

Okay, here’s the skinny. We discovered that SSgt Robert Stanek was a member of the squadron and he did fly on the airplane. There is no verifiable record of him receiving any Distinguished Flying Cross but he may have received it due to being in the right place at the right time on the right crew. One crew did receive the medal but it was for the actions by the crew and not a single individual. This guy still is a delusional self-promoter and fraud who trolls his own Amazon book reviews. He has been duping people out of their money for years and not offering returns on the product. His actions are very sad and duplicitous.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:12:08 +0000

I was an aircrew member in the squadron he said was a part of. He never was a member of our squadron and he never flew on our aircraft. His military history is made up. Nobody by the name of Robert Stanek has ever received the Distinguished Flying Cross. His assertion lessens the value of the actual medal.

By: The Fox

The Fox — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:30:45 +0000

after seeing one of Roberts books for sale. i thought “hmm.. maybe an audio..” *for work* checked itunes then listened to the preview.. “GHAH!!” listen to it sometime. It’s HORRIBLE. how is he a writer.. but i don’t really like insulting someone so maybe its his reading skills that are bad.. i don’t know. but listent to the preview of his work on itunes.. *sorry for the terrible writing i’m VERY tired* just had to write this. Thanks for saving me money..

By: Lunamoth

Lunamoth — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:44:23 +0000

Errrr maybe I overstated that (slightly). I like your article on Guide, by the way, and posted it to a discussion list for memoir writers (and self-publishers) at Amazon.com

By: Lunamoth

Lunamoth — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:58:16 +0000

I’ve watched this particular person in action for years. She’s a phenomenon. Primarily an organizer/operator and secondarily a writer who desperately craves acclaim. At any price. She can actually be quite ruthless in going after people she thinks are standing in her way

Add to that, a Mother Theresa complex. Or maybe I mean an “Annette Funicello complex.”

Possibly a dangerous sociopath… ? You think? Ever met anybody like this?

By: David Louis Edelman

David Louis Edelman — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:52:10 +0000

Lunamoth: Just a stab in the dark here, but I’m guessing you’ve run afoul of a writer like this before…?

By: Lunamoth

Lunamoth — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:39:27 +0000

I’m particularly annoyed with writers who use “networks” and “community projects” to advance their careers. You didn’t mention that one! Here’s what I’m talking about. A fairly mediocre novelist with real organizational savvy starts up an arts magazine, publishes theatre, book, and film reviews. To review for her magazine, you have to take out a “membership” in the magazine ($30). You are then also expected to attend arts events and fundraisers — it stands to reason, right? When her latest novel comes out, and garners luke-warm reviews, she organizes a reading from her work, sends out invitations, and offers attendees a 30% discount if they buy her novel — PLUS she says $10 from each sale will be donated to keep her arts magazine going.

So buying her book is tied to supporting the community project. If you don’t buy it, you’re letting the whole “community” down.

This is marketing-by-guilt. Or possibly “guilt by association” because if you go along with one of her projects, you inevitably get pulled into a chain of compulsory activities that end up making her look powerful, while you look like a follower.

And the funny thing is, it seems to work for her. People go along, just like (I guess) once they join the Mafia, it’s healthier to stick around than to quit.

By: David Louis Edelman

David Louis Edelman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:36:18 +0000

Troy: Funny you should mention it... see this article of mine.

By: Troy "fireSpeaks" Pearsall

Troy "fireSpeaks" Pearsall — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:03:50 +0000

Even though I never considered any of those things, as a person completely new to writing I wonder what can we really do to promote our book and ourselves?

By: Amy L.

Amy L. — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:37:12 +0000

Is it a fluke that many of the reviewers who gave raves for two of William R. Stanek’s newest Microsoft windows books, also have left positive reviews for his self published fantasy series (written under the name of Robert Stanek)?

10 out of 20 to be exact. And don’t believe Amazon “real name” badges – you can enter any name you want after you provide a valid credit card number on your account:

http://www.amazon.com/Windows%C2%AE-7-Administrators-Pocket-Consultant/dp/0735626995/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Definitive-Essential-Resource-Professionals/dp/0596800975/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259861342&sr=1-5