Thank God I...can tell you not to fall for this scam

here in the universe of bookpeople, there are many who love to write, and would love to be published. That's good, natural, admirable. We love that impulse. That's why we were so completely appalled to see this scam being publicized on myspace today.

Two chutzpah-packing "writer-consultants"  have dreamed up something called the "Thank God I..." book series, and they're asking for 300 bucks to publish your personal stories of thankfulness..."Thank God I Got Raped'  for example...(though don't try to write THAT story...they've already copyrighted the title!), or whatever "triumph over adversity" story emerges from your life experience: "Thank God I Lost My Finger in a Woodshop Accident," "Thank God I Got a Bad Perm." The people behind the "Thank God I" book series (it's gonna be 127 books they say...127!!)  are concerned that your motives are pure:

"Please note that ALL STORY SUBMITTING AUTHORS will be required to participate in our three month thankfulness course to ensure that your story is coming from a place of thankfulness and presence in order for your story it to qualify for our series."

But...they also promise that you'll "have the opportunity to earn money for the lifetime of the book!" Up to one-percent of the profits, people!

We at Bookburger are hard at work on our submission, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" ("Well I got me a  wife, I got me a fiddle, When the sun's comin up I got cakes on the griddle")...

Check out their pitch for a laugh, if you like...but don't you dare give them your credit card number!

Comments

[Soso]

Good for you for spreading the word on these people.Preying on desperate types who've had bad stuff happen to them--and who are desperate to be writers too! Now that's low.

[Akuseru]

"Thank God I Got Raped" doesn't seem to be a registered copyright. Johnny-boy over there HAS registered "Thank God I" as a trademark, however.

They make it sound like the books are going to be printed, but the trademark says their offered services and goods are e-books. I emailed asking for clarification, but I have yet to hear back from them.

[Theodore Sawchuck]

I vote for Thank G-d I'm Jewish.

/thankfulness?

[dj]

Hey, Akuseru, thanks for the reportage--and congrats--you're officially in the running for bookburger's investigative journalism award, the Pullet Surprise. As for you Theo, you're just too f-nny.

[Kristen King]

Thank God I...Am Not That Dumb, and thank God people like you are warning the folks who might not know better!

[ikaros]

Thank nonexistant-invisible-father-figure-in-the-sky I'm an atheist... is it just me, or does that 'thankfulness course' sound like "Cult Indoctrination 101"?

[Akuseru]

Speaking of surprises, I still haven't heard back from anyone over there about the printed book/e-book thing. It's too bad, really. I had $300 burning a hole in my pocket, but it looks like that's getting put towards less useful things like groceries and kitty litter... :(

[Lisa Logan]

Thank God I....found someone intelligent enough to post a warning about this! First I thought it was a joke, then I thought the people were nuts. Then I saw how many desperate writers were actually BITING and I had to go searching for answers. No amount of ketchup slathered over THIS burger will make it smell any less like bologna to me!

[Janna Crew]

How can she teach stuffs about spiritual renewal when she (kroetsch) one of the co authors was a stripper for 2 years in JAPAN!
all her pictures in the net are naked! haha!
is that how she sells?
Thank God were not stupid!

[Inqwow]

How do you know that what they do won't work? Where is your proof of their scam?

[jordache]

What a shame people can take their valuable time to criticize something they know Absolutely nothing about! Have you offered any proof whatsoever that this is a scam? NO! If any of you did your research you would know that one of the co-founders is the author of Chicken soup for the soul and its series! NY Best-seller for 20+ weeks! Thank God I realize that everyone with the initials dj doesnt always stand for dumb jerk. Only this time...Know your facts b4 rolling up to the keyboard!

[noname]

For those of you got scammed and became a victim like I was .. please report FTC right away at http://www.ftc.gov ..

please don't be fooled as I was , they will get your money and run away .. they were going to launch the first book on august now its January and blah blah .. help me get this people

[noname]

For those of you got scammed and became a victim like I was .. please report FTC right away at http://www.ftc.gov ..

please don't be fooled as I was , they will get your money and run away .. they were going to launch the first book on august now its January and blah blah .. help me get this people

[Aaron]

Well your comments are lovely and very appreciated.
I would love each one of you to have a look at our website (www.thankgodi.com) and see why this book series is making an impact globally.
Folks like Oprah, Jack Canfield, Bernie Siegel and many others have seen our first book and fallen deeply in love with the project.
Its time to apply gratitude and thankfulness to every situation in life.
Go ahead come check us out, we are there to give you a big hug and assist you in equilibrating the charges in your own life. :)

Sincerly yours
-Aaron Kleinerman

[Linda Crossley]

Now that two books in the series have been published, with much gratitude, may I ask if any of the original 'posters' have read the first book . . . or maybe the fresh off the press second book? As one of the published authors, this is not a scam . . . it is a repeatable process you can apply to all experiences in your life to stay connected to the power of perfection with gratitude. For more details, simply go to the web site for a 'reality' check. Namaste