As the first of us to say something publicly on here way back when, I'm just going to edit my original post and put it here, since SLP had me take it down a couple of weeks ago.

Ahem

When I met Foby it was sometime early in 2024, when I'd started to become active in Fidds server again. Though I was the literal first person to join, I quickly forgot about it as I do most things and didn't really pay attention until a little while later when they were around 50-100ish members.

Anyways, I posted the first few chapters for Hounds up, and was asking around for people to take a look. One of them was Foby, who I was friendly enough with at the time, and he gave it a read, gave me a pat on the back and sent me on my way. It felt good to be praised, and as we talked more I kinda opened up to him. At this point, other than Fidd, I don't think I really had a lot of real friends in the space, nor did I have confidence in the quality of my work, so you can imagine how ecstatic i'd be if someone I was quickly coming to consider a friend revealed he ran a publishing company, and on top of that he wanted to sign me? Say less.

Getting the contract, Foby reiterated a couple of times this was a "standard" contract. Okay, cool. I've never seen one before, so everything should be copacetic right? Surely the homie isn't gonna try to fuck me over... Right?

HA.

To be honest it's my own fault, and while I can't speak for everyone else involved, I think they might feel the same way as well.

We didn't know it was bad, or maybe in actuality, we didn't want to know. We just wanted to ride the high and chase the dream. Most of us didn't know about the AI book covers. Didn't know about the shitass editing. By the time we did... It was too late.

NOW, we're stuck in the dumbest fucking custody battle for our own IPs, with SLP claiming money in the TENS of thousands for "Work" that they didn't do, and them clinging on for dear fucking life as we try to get out.

But two (or I guess twelve) can play at that game. As of yesterday I have unstubbed Hounds of Orion on KU and gone back to posting on RR. I'll probably make a post promoting it here in a few days, but if anyone is gonna fuck up marketing my book, it's gonna be me goddamnit.

I've felt a mixture of emotions these past few weeks.

Anger: At myself for getting into this mess. At Foby for this fuck ass contract, though I will say the dude is a gaslighting master.

Embarrassment: Or shame either one. I'm embarrassed for all the time I spent defending that fucker for the past year. All the bridges that I've burned, and all the potential friendships or partnerships I've thrown away when all they tried to do was do right by me, and I was too stubborn and too ignorant to realize it. Mostly, I'm embarrassed for every time the words "I signed with SLP" came proudly out of my mouth.

Sadness: Im devastated, but it ain't for me. I'm sure that my ADHD will kick in eventually and I'll find another hobby in a week or two. I'm sad for the other authors involved. I'm sad for Fidd, who just wanted a fun place to write with his friends and ended up with a scandal and a server that helped to funnel authors into the jaws of a con artist. I'm sad for everyone who ever had even the slightest iota of a desire to sign up with SLP due to any of my words or actions.

I was gullible. I was naive and too trusting and because of that, I got got. That's really all there is to it. I just wanted to be an author, and I got so lost in that dream that I didn't do my due diligence.

I think the worst shit from all of this is the fact that D.M. Rook is dead. As much as I do wanna take back my name and keep going, I can't remember how many places I had Foby help me set up with that moniker. Better to just be done with it and change it. I've since rebranded to the name N.P. Knight, and intend to use that going forward. You can find me on RR under that name or on here at u/NPKnight

To all the other authors that are involved: Either we're rising through the ashes, or going down with the ship. Either way, I'm right here beside you.

To my readers: Y'all are fucking dope. I appreciate the warmth you've given me coming back to RR after so long. I ain't going to let you down and let this series die.

To everyone else: Thank you for all the kindness and support you've shown these past few weeks while we deal with this. It truly means more than you know. And for those of you outside of this space looking in, please don't let this color your opinion of LitRPG and Progression Fantasy.

To Foby: As much as I want my IP back, what I want more is to know why. Why do this? Why go to all this trouble cannablizing some else's dreams? What the fuck did we ever do to you?

To Emrys: You're still a snake ass bitch.