Thanks to John Elliott

[Lincoln Wonk]

The nice thing about the symposium and the Surratt Society is the way everyone is so helpful. John Elliott saved me days of research with a phone call today. (Thanks, John) It's great to share and not have each of us reinventing the wheel.

[BettyO]

I most certainly agree! Back in the day, our "Masters" Messrs. Hall, Brennan, Keesler and Tidwell never kept their "cards close to their chests" and freely shared whatever they had and found. It was a different world then. If I can help and assist those who need info then I feel as if I'm passing on the great lessons that these fine gentlemen scholars taught us. John and Barry both also show the very same qualities.

[Lincoln Wonk]

I most certainly agree! Back in the day, our "Masters" Messrs. Hall, Brennan, Keesler and Tidwell never kept their "cards close to their chests" and freely shared whatever they had and found. It was a different world then. If I can help and assist those who need info then I feel as if I'm passing on the great lessons that these fine gentlemen scholars taught us. John and Barry both also show the very same qualities.

Betty, You are always very willing to share and help newcomers navigate the publishing world. We're all lucky to know you. Thank you.

[John E.]

Thank you for the kind words Kathryn and yes, Betty is not only willing to share, she's enthusiastic about doing so and very encouraging to others.

[BettyO]

Kathryn and John -

Thanks ever so much for your faith! We all deserve a "pat on the back" for being willing to share and help - it's what keeps history alive!

[SSlater]

Betty O, et al. I agree with your description of the generosity of Hall, Brennan, Tidwell and others - I have benefited from their help, but that was back in the good old days. However, times have changed. I have been warned , repeatedly, by Generous members of long standing in this Forum, to consider carefully, to whom I am being generous. I wasn't careful and I have been burned. It is a very sick feeling when you read an "Assassination" story being presented by someone else and in one case - copyrighted by them. Man. that hurts! Some names I do not recognize, because they can read our work on Google - and they consider that to be Public Domain.
I will share all I know, including Sarah Slater, directly with the person who asks - but not in the Public Domain. Even then, I will withhold my source - in an effort to protect my ownership. I must admit, that I have given "modified" information - on purpose. Sure enough, the the erroneous data is on Google by night fall. I am not clever enough to control this practice, so I have stopped being Generous.
I regret that there is a need for this post, but in a sense I am being generous, in another way.
If anyone has a question on Sarah Slater, write to me directly and I will reply directly. Use spycamp1865@yahoo.com

[L Verge]

Mr. SSlater is very accurate in what he says and warns of. Unfortunately, there are a few people in the Lincoln assassination community who are using other people's research, knowledge, and writing skills to advance their own cause of building a reputation as an expert in the field.

I'm sure that this happens in many fields of interest, but it is very disheartening to see someone else claim credit for your hard work. It's even worse when they get caught doing it and then attempt to discredit the character of the real student/expert. I'm afraid that I have lived long enough to see our society's values change from "what's good for us..." to "what's good for me..."

[Lincoln Wonk]

This is frightening to someone new (me). How do you know whom to trust?

[L Verge]

Kathy,

I don't think there is any set rule as to how to detect a "user/taker/faker" in the field of history. It comes from practice - i.e. getting burned enough times to be wary of anyone who comes on too strong, someone who becomes an instant wonder overnight (thanks to stealing ideas and writings - and even conversations - from other people), someone who is always bugging you for information, and someone who doesn't produce in the best degree when finally put to the test.

I can honestly say that my education and years of experience with middle school students was one of my best training tools for spotting adults who try to fake their way through history. I'm not sure this is bragging, but I had the knack of knowing pretty much what to expect out of my 200+ students each year after the first two days of class in the fall. I have been pretty successful in transferring that into the limited surroundings of my field of history. I have at least three big burn scars and a few blisters from people that slipped under my radar, however.

[Lincoln Wonk]

Thanks, Laurie. You allayed my fears a little. Having sent my manuscript to several agents, many of whom didn't respond, I wonder if the information I gave them to get them excited about representing me is now fodder for their current clients' books.
I guess all you can do is keep your fingers crossed that professional agents and professional writers act professionally.
That's why the symposium is such a great resource, because I never would have even thought historians would steal. It['s great to be around people with more history experience.

[L Verge]

I have never been in the role of an author giving up my work to a publisher. However, I have been in the role of giving peer review to a few authors before they send to a publisher. In a few cases, I have signed a confidentiality agreement with the author that I would not disclose their ideas before publication. Can an author asked that of a prospective publisher?