Kristi Studts, Disgraced Ex-Owner of Triskelion Publishing Rumoured To Have Opened Up New E-publishing Company
Thursday, April 10, 2008Posted in: E-publishers Behaving Very Badly, Kristi Studts, Mystical Moon Press, Triskelion
Rumour has it that the disgraced ex-owner of the now defunct Triskelion Publishing, Kristi Studts has opened a new publishing company. Of course, she’s not listed as the owner of Mystical Moon Press, but apparently she may be using several pseudonyms to hide her identity.
I got this e-mail from an ex Trisk author:
We (ex Trisk authors) have discovered that Kristi Studts has started up again. Or at least has something to do with this set up:
Mysticmoonpress.comShe is Magickal Media, the cover artist there (I think Dear Author did an expose a while back when she displayed our Triskelion covers on Magickal Media as her work, which they were). However, nobody I’ve been in contact with knows any of the authors there, and there are some names on the owner and author page that seem – a bit familiar. Perhaps you can get someone who knows a bit about computers and stuff to find out more.
What is annoying us, (the ex-Triskettes) is that Kristi isn’t coming out and telling people who she is. Nothing wrong, legally, with her doing this and trying to make a living, but unethical not to tell people who she is?
There are some very unhappy authors who never want to have anything to do with her again (yours truly included). But if she hides under pseudonyms and other names, we won’t be able to tell.
Does anybody out there know if A, she is actually the owner, and B, who the hell is submitting their work to her?
A fine week for the e-publishing industry isn’t it? Will this madness ever stop?
Methinks not.
heather (errantdreams)
April 10
1:13 pm
It’s sad that there’s enough double-dealing going on to support the need for so much digging. You’d think some of these folks would eventually at least move on and try to scam another industry and a new group of people.
bam
April 10
2:12 pm
Now there’s some triflin’ shit, if I’ve ever heard it.
Rowena
April 10
4:27 pm
LOL, ditto to what Bam said!
CJ England
April 10
4:34 pm
I had several friends go through the Trisk debacle. It broke a lot of people’s hearts. God help us if this is a repeat of that. *sigh*
Jennifer McKenzie
April 10
5:29 pm
Is there any GOOD news this week in epublishing?
Bernita
April 10
5:55 pm
It’s GOOD news when cheats and creeps are revealed for what they are, IMHO.
SHayne
April 10
8:00 pm
What? That an epub company might have hired a former epub owner as a cover artist?
This is a scandal how? Unless somebody proves she actually owns the company and isn’t just a cover artist, I don’t see the scandal.
Karen Scott
April 10
10:26 pm
Did you even bother to read the post? Because I’m pretty sure I was asking if anybody had any further information.
The clue as to the purpose of the post can also be found in the title.
Another kick in the guts from e-publishers « The thing is…
April 10
11:22 pm
[…] Here’s the link if you’d like to read about it; Karen Knows Best. […]
SHayne
April 10
11:56 pm
Karen, I wasn’t commenting to your post since I could read that you were asking for information on the situation.
I was stating there’s nothing bad here unless it’s proven that the woman owns the epub. If she does, then it is a problem. If she’s just a cover artist, then there wouldn’t be.
J.C. Wilder
April 11
1:40 am
It could very well be a reincarnation of Kristi – the Trisk site was f-ugly and so is this one.
Lesson learned – if you eyes start bleeding when you’re looking at a publisher website, you might want to submit somewhere else.
KyAnn Waters
April 11
5:32 am
LOL – Amen to that!
Karma
April 11
7:17 pm
“Lesson learned – if you eyes start bleeding when you’re looking at a publisher website, you might want to submit somewhere else.”
Yet authors continued to flock to them and sing their praises, even for a time after all hell breaks loose. What does that say? Authors had better stop “jumping on bandwagons” so quickly and happily until the publisher is tried and tested. And the reason many of these publishers last as long as they do is because of these very authors who praise them and put them on pedestals even before the first royalty checks are due. It’s insanity, and the reason these e-pubs have so much praise and power from the get-go is from the authors, so people had better smarten up, or this will continue to happen.
December Quinn/Stacia Kane
April 11
11:35 pm
A-fucking-men, Karma. Amen.
Lena Austin
April 12
3:56 am
Magickal Media’s covers bear a striking resemblance to Kristi’s style. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I want nothing to do with Kristi in any way, not even as a cover artist.
Esther Mitchell
April 12
4:13 am
Me, either, Lena! As a former Trisk author who got shafted in the whole mess that was its demise, I’m not about to go ANYWHERE I can’t do market research and author research on.
Lynne Connolly
April 12
8:54 pm
There’s no reason Kristi can’t do this, now the bankruptcy case is over.
We know she is behind Magickal Media because she displayed our Triskelion covers (including one of mine) on the website before we protested and she took them down.
But – she should tell people who she is and what her connection with this company is, so that people dealing with her can do so in full knowledge.
Just business ethics, that’s all.
I know that once someone pointed this out, my interest in the company zeroed, because I don’t want to deal with Ms. Studts again. If I had discovered it after the fact, I would have been furious.
Jennifer Mitchell
May 25
9:57 pm
Hello My name is Jennifer Mitchell, I am the CEO and owner of Mystic Moon Press.
All I can say is that Kristi “Magickal Media – if it proved to be” has nothing to do with our company other then she is a cover artist. It saddens me to know that by hiring a cover artist who claims to be male and involved with a woman I have garnered bad press because of it.
Those that doubt please feel free to check out my personal writing webpage http://www.jenniferraemitchell.com
or by all means go to Writing.com which is where I got my start http://www.writing.com/author/gen13
both places have pictures of myself and my family and my book covers.
I originally started this company with a good friend of mine, who has passed away, her name was Keeley McGreggor, to help me run the company now is an author by the name of Kristina Chartrand.
I am offended that I have not had one query to the matter of the real identity of Magickal Media – to myself or Kristina, there is no fact to base this on other then that Kristi “Magickal Media” is a cover artist for me and my company. At this point without knowing the truth I will stand behind my employee, but if I do find out that I have been decieved then I will take the appropriate actions.
It saddens me that things in the E-publishing business have gotten a bad name. Mystic Moon Press, was a dream of my dear friend and one that I want to continue to share. We are small, new and family like. We endevour to treat our authors fairly and I will go to bat for any of them.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Mitchell
CEO of Mystic Moon Press, LLC
jen@mysticmoonpress.com
Charlotte Holley
May 25
10:26 pm
Hi everyone,
As one of the authors at Mystic Moon Press, I can attest to the truth of what Jennifer Mitchell has written above. I don’t know anything about Kristi Studts or about Triskelion, but I have come to know Jennifer and many of the other authors at Mystic Moon Press since my first book was accepted last fall for publication.
Speaking for myself, I would hate for MMP and the many authors who have signed with MMP to be damaged because of something we didn’t know about and weren’t a part of. All I can say is I am sure Jennifer will be faithful to her word and do the right thing. In the meantime, I welcome you all to take a look at the work we as authors and artists (other than Magickal Media) before you make any snap judgments about MMP.
Thanks!
Charlotte Holley, Author/Artist/Designer
http://www.beadedlegends.com
http://www.theactorsguildseries.com
ana star
May 26
12:14 am
Hi everyone,
My name is ana star and I’ve been a published author for almost a year with mystic moon press. I never had any problems what so ever with this company. Alot of the authors at mmp came from writing.com and some others came from other companies. As I was reading the comments, there is absolutely no proof as to what you are accusing. Also I am not sure why this post is even here in the first place…sounds like rumours of people who have nothing else better to do than start bs.
Who ever this kristy is, she isnt in your life anymore so be a grown up and move on…
As for the covers, all covers of every company look alike. If you go to fictionwise, you have the largest example of similar covers. Everyone uses the same images and same programs to make them…
KSeriphyn
May 26
12:25 am
Wow coffee and gossip this morning! Not sure where you’ve gleamed this information from but rest assure that MMP is uniquely run by Jen and a few others, and is doing very well as an ebook publisher. Ebooks are alive and kicking alright!
PS: I’m one of the cover artists and my name ain’t Kristi. :0) I also know a few of the authors there, one of them being Kate Smith who is a *real* person.
I hope this clarifies the conspiracy theory.
AztecLady
May 26
12:44 am
Isn’t this that much easier to say when you are not one of the people who have been scammed/victimized/defrauded/fill in the blank, by the person in question?
ana star, comments like yours don’t help clarify anything, nor do they stem any rumors. Accusing people who want to know the truth, many of whom have previous (and quite negative) experience with this person, of immaturity is a sure fire way of derailing any sort of civil debate.
Jennifer Mitchell
May 26
12:56 am
ana star, comments like yours don’t help clarify anything, nor do they stem any rumors. Accusing people who want to know the truth, many of whom have previous (and quite negative) experience with this person, of immaturity is a sure fire way of derailing any sort of civil debate.
I agree and want you all to look to my post it is honest, and in defense of Ana Star, she is one of our authors at MMP and thankfully is loyal and willing to find out the truth before she makes accusations.
Like I previously stated not ONE person emailed me to find out the truth and now I find it through much search.
I am an honest woman and willing to answer any and all questions; about myself or the company, I disrespect the slander and false accusations I have found on this site, and for myself MMP is a good business and more honest then most out there. I will persevere regardless of this incident and will address any slander towards my name.
Just so you know I have asked “Magickal Media” who and what they are… I have been mislead on so may levels but all will right itself in the end. I will take the appropriate measures but as of now with no response I can only say this and everything on it from my point of view is gossip and understandable a lot of bitter authors!!
Just so you know I was an author at Silk’s Vault and well with any searching you can see what happened there.
I want everone to know I am a person with feeling and an author; and will not stand by and let my company and my friends dream be slandered!
Jennifer Mitchell
CEO at Mystic Moon Press
jen@mysticmoonpress.com
ana star
May 26
12:58 am
really? I guess what I said hit a nerve. I know what I am talking about because I was too taken advantage by a company who turned out to be fraudulent. I dont go on starting rumours unless I am certain of my facts.
Starting rumours have consequenses. All I said is to be an adult about it. All I did was point out that this thread is nothing more than gossip and hope for revenge…
I’m sorry if the truth offends you. I stand by what I said and unlike the author of this thread, I didnt accuse anyone. I only stated what I see…and from all the people who commented their oppinion on this thread, I stated my oppinion…
AztecLady
May 26
1:17 am
A) The truth doesn’t offend me.
B) If a post/comment/article/statement is based on fact, then it is not a rumor.
C) I didn’t see Karen accusing anyone–she stated clearly that “rumor has it.”
D) Karen didn’t start any rumors–see C) above.
Ms Mitchell, I have no dog in this fight–I’m not a writer, have never been a writer, have no interest whatsoever in being a writer.
Take my comments and opinions on that light–or not :shrug:
Frankly, other than the entertainment value (which is tempered by the knowledge that many authors are actually hurt when these fireworks happen), I could not care any less about the periodic implosions of epublishers that make claims about ‘being like family’ and ‘having feelings.’
And I won’t even go into the ‘thankfully she’s loyal’ bit.
Jennifer Mitchell
May 26
1:28 am
Frankly, other than the entertainment value (which is tempered by the knowledge that many authors are actually hurt when these fireworks happen), I could not care any less about the periodic implosions of epublishers that make claims about ‘being like family’ and ‘having feelings.’
Honestly then why are you posting?
AztecLady
May 26
1:36 am
Honestly? If you are sure you really want to know…
Right this moment I have really nothing better to do than blog hopping, and it so happens I visit Karen’s blog often (I even contribute the occasional review or opinion piece, if that matters any).
On top of that, I have lots of opinions on everything and I share them whenever the mood strikes.
As long as the forum moderators / blog owner / whichever applies don’t indicate that I have violated any posting/commenting rules, I take it that generating comments and discussion is why the posts are up and forums exist.
And there is also that entertainment value I mentioned before. Only in certain cases–like with the periodic epub implosions–it is more of a morbid fascination thing.
You know, the one that make people rubberneck at accident sites?
Like that.
Jim Richards
May 26
1:48 am
I think it is time for a new voice to step in and set things straight on some issues.
I am an author for MMP and currently have two titles and one printed book completed, with a second printed novel due for release in three days. My first book is an actual, living, breathing piece of literature that I have on my shelf as this message is being posted. In fact, I have two copies of the same work; because Jen is the type of publisher that wanted to ensure a quality product went out with her company’s name on it.
When the first print copy did not meet the standard, Jen, my co-author and I all agreed that it was better to delay its’ print in order to get the quality we wanted. Even if this meant going to a new printer. Jen took the time, and made the effort, to go that extra mile. I have yet to hear of any publisher working so diligently to make their authors happy.
Jen is there to listen to us when we have questions, and she has the patience of Job when dealing with “newbie” questions about the writing and publishing business.
I understand that the e-publishing business can be dangerous, and risky, especially to a new writer. But I can assure any and all reading this that when dealing with Ms. Mitchell, my co-writer and I have never received anything but the utmost respect, support and honesty. It is her ethics and integrity that have made a nerve-wracking and scary enterprise not only palatable but enjoyable as well.
These are the types of comments and opinions I am more than willing to put my name to.
Jim Richards
“Whirlwind”
“Anonymous”
“Chocolate”
“Huntress”
Shiloh Walker
May 26
5:40 am
For some odd reason, I feel the need to point out that any epublisher that plans to make it in this business should understand professionalism.
Anybody that understands professionalism should realize it’s a bad, bad, BAD move to insult/belittle/mock etc…etc…etc… those whom you rely on ~namely readers~ to stay in business.
Aztec is a reader.
We like readers.
Aztec is a die-hard reader.
We REALLY like those readers.
The info regarding MMP came up, where Karen got the info, I don’t know but she felt the need to share.
Considering the crap I’ve seen happen in epublishing over the past few years, I find it a good thing that she lets people use her blog to share such info. It’s probably saved a few new authors from being burned-and I’m not speaking of MMP, but of others that have indeed turned out to have questionable practices. Again…I’m not saying MMP is one of these. I don’t know anything about the place other than what I’ve read here.
And considering that…chances are this is the first exposure to MMP that some readers have probably had and with that being the case, what do you think will impress potential readers more…strident disavowals of any wrong-doing? Or calm, and considerate discussion?
There have been level heads commenting here-level author heads, and I so love to see level headed authors. But then some not so level heads and a few of the comments have had this stident -oh, she said what, oh now she didn’t, get her!- tone.
That tone? Lacks professionalism. That tone coming from a publisher would say to me it’s a publisher I don’t want to mess with.
Just my two cents, others might have, and probably do, have a different outlook but it’s one I wanted to toss out there.
Ana, I think you mean well. I think you respect and love your publisher. Since I’ve got publishers I love and respect, I understand the sentiment.
But since you weren’t one of the ones that got screwed sideways, you really have no room to state this.
To be clear, I never had any trouble from Kristi and I did write for her for a short period. Never any trouble.
But others did have a great deal of trouble from Triskelion and it’s trouble that has cost them money and time. Money because of legal issues, time because they have books tied up that can’t be sent elsewhere because of said legal issues.
Until you’ve stood in their shoes, you really should show a bit more understanding, IMO.
Again, just in general, folks… you get faced with something that stings, how you react is to it is going to determine what sort of professional you are.
Emotional outrage has little to no place in business. It wins no arguments. It settles nothing. It proves nothing.
Calm, considerate objectivity-or that lack of-proves everything, though.
Karen Scott
May 26
11:05 am
Because, A, she has an opinion, and B, she’s a writer on this blog.
You’ve never been here before have you?
Happy days for me, because I now have a new pet project.
Shiloh Darke
May 26
1:47 pm
Hello everyone,
My first novel was published with Mystic Moon Press in Oct of ’07. The coverart for the book was done by Magical Media. It turned out to be a beautiful cover.
I cannot comment on the identity of Magical Media. I have never met the person. But I do know Jennifer Mitchell. She was the editor who asked me to submit my novel to Mystic Moon Press. She is a woman of integrity and I can understand her distress at finding her company’s name slandered.
I understand that the rumor is just that, a rumor. But did ANYONE think to check the rumor out before spreading it further? So much drama could easily have been avoided if facts had been checked first.
I mean NO offense to anyone. I understand that certain people were hurt by this person. My heart goes out to them. It is terrible to have your dreams and faith crushed.
That said, I have faith in my publisher, and I count her on my list of close friends. Ana and Charlotte and Jim all do as well. Can anyone blame us for coming to the defense of the publishers that have given us a chance to follow our dreams?
Respectfully,
Shiloh Darke
Karen Scott
May 26
2:04 pm
Shiloh, (God calling you that feels so wrong, no offence or anything) did you actually read the post? Or have you and your cronies just flown in here with no clue about anything just to wag your fingers?
Anyway, I’ve addressed some of these comments in my most recent post.
Word of advice, try to look at the bigger picture before wading in with your size twelves. This will save you from being mocked by the likes of me.
Lynne Connolly
May 26
2:10 pm
“I understand that the rumor is just that, a rumor. But did ANYONE think to check the rumor out before spreading it further? So much drama could easily have been avoided if facts had been checked first.”
Erm, it’s not a rumor. it’s fact.
Fact one – Kristi and Ron Studts used to own Triskelion Publishing, which went bankrupt last year owing thousands of dollars to computer companies, printing companies, authors and editors.
Fact two – Kristi Studts also ran a company called Magickal Media, producing websites and cover art.
Fact Three – Magickal Media designed covers for Mystic Moon Press
Now possibility one, something only the owner of MMP knows – Magickal Media may have misrepresented themselves to the owner of MMP, so she might have been unaware that the owner of Magickal Media was the same person who left a large number of people in the lurch last year. Legally, I have to add.
Question – Can we know a little more about Kris Chartrand, Chief Editor & Web Mistress of Mystic Moon Press? We’ve heard a lot from Jennifer, but I’ve googled Kris Chartrand and asked around and nobody knows her. Just for interest, you understand.
Lynne Connolly
May 26
2:11 pm
Erm, it’s not a rumor. it’s fact.
Fact one – Kristi and Ron Studts used to own Triskelion Publishing, which went bankrupt last year owing thousands of dollars to computer companies, printing companies, authors and editors.
Fact two – Kristi Studts also ran a company called Magickal Media, producing websites and cover art.
Fact Three – Magickal Media designed covers for Mystic Moon Press
Now possibility one, something only the owner of MMP knows – Magickal Media may have misrepresented themselves to the owner of MMP, so she might have been unaware that the owner of Magickal Media was the same person who left a large number of people in the lurch last year. Legally, I have to add.
Question – Can we know a little more about Kris Chartrand, Chief Editor & Web Mistress of Mystic Moon Press? We’ve heard a lot from Jennifer, but I’ve googled Kris Chartrand and asked around and nobody knows her. Just for interest, you understand.
Shiloh Darke
May 26
2:15 pm
Karen,
LOL… Shiloh has been my pen name for the last 6 years. Ms Walker just beat me to the book shelves. (Not that I mind. I love her work.)
As I said before, I meant no offense. And in answer to your question, YES I DID read your post before I commented. Actually, I spent half an hour reading each and every post on the blog in reference to this before I said anything.
Oh, and I don’t wear size 12…
Throwmearope
May 26
2:19 pm
People, people, people. “Slander is spoken, this is libel.”–J Jonah Jameson. (Of Spider-Man fame, for the socially sheltered.)
If you publish e-books, you want to inspire confidence in readers that you are professional enough to protect our credit card information from cyber thieves.
Professional behavior would include grammar, punctuation, capitalization (particularly of proper names, unless you are channeling e e cummings or archy and mehitabel). Understanding the definition of the words slander and libel and not misusing them freely would help, too.
As a devoted reader who spent the long weekend reorganizing and dusting my thousands of books, you have not inspired me to visit your site. And I would think you want to attract not repel readers.
See, if you can’t even write, how are you going to run a website? You’re so new to Romancebloglandia that it took you six weeks to find this? But I should give you my credit info? Not.
Not that Karen or Aztec can’t take care of themselves. (Off to the Rec Center to work off yesterday’s meal.)
Karen Scott
May 26
2:45 pm
Surely you’d want to change your name seeing as people looking for the Shiloh Walker that is better known, may land on your website by mistake?
Karen Scott
May 26
2:50 pm
By the way Shiloh, music on your website? Biggest romance website no-no going. Bad music on your website? Even worse.
Giving people the option of turning the music off, doesn’t undo the initial impression.
Just sayin’.
Shiloh Darke
May 26
3:00 pm
ROFLMAO!!! I hate that frickin’ music! I have just had no time to go fix it. My bad, I know!
Shiloh Darke
May 26
3:17 pm
Karen,
Although I am not known to the people buying books, I do have a followig of my own, from when I first started writing. Those people know to look for Shiloh Darke.
I did consider changing the name. But so many of them said, not to change it, I went with their suggestion. I realize that Shiloh is a unique name. But if my name was Nina Ivy, couldn’t I just as easily be confused with Nina Bangs, or Alexandra Ivy?
Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kerrilyn Sparks might be just as easily confused simply because they are strangely similar as well as uniquely beautiful. (Their names as well as their writing.)
If I’ve offended Mrs Walker by keeping a name I’ve used off and on all my life, then it is completely unintentional. I just love the name.
Shi
Karen Scott
May 26
3:29 pm
Not to be rude Shiloh (using Shi is beyond my ability, sorry) but you’ve had the website since 2007, and yet you’ve only had 380 visitors there?
Those same followers obviously aren’t going to your website. Or if they are, there’s a very small number of them.
You may want to consider acting quickly and taking the music off the site, it really is off-putting, and may be one of the reasons your visitor stats are so low.
Shiloh Walker
May 26
3:39 pm
Eh, I hadn’t ralized there was a race.
I don’t think I’ve commented one way or the other on this, Ms. Darke. It wasn’t until very recently that I was even aware of you or your writing.
Shiloh Darke
May 26
4:09 pm
When I first started writing, it was just for my own thrill. Later, I got into Fan Fiction. I have a few of them on sites around the internet.
I have Neil Diamond to thank for my love of the name. My mother is a fan of his and I liked the song. ShilohDarke was part of my email addy long before I ever read your first book.
Honestly, I never really thought there would be much issue over the name. On a bookshelf, we wouldn’t even be placed anywhere near each other since they go by last names.
It is however becoming a more popular name now that Brad and Angelina gave it to their child as well. Who knows? Maybe she’ll decide to write instead of act?
I am new to the published world. That’s true. It has been slow-going. That is to be expected with new authors. The site has actually only been active since Dec. ’07.
If I was free to just write and promote my work, then I would most likely have better exposure. But a full time job on top of a wife and mother… Well, I do the best I can.
You can call me Shiloh if you like, Karen. Or you can call me Dark-E. I won’t be hurt. I’ll accept it.
S
Ann Somerville
May 27
1:11 am
You’ve got time to write numerous comments on this and other posts, you’ve got time to yank that reader annoyance off your site.
Same goes for promotion. It’s a pain in the backside, but if you want to be published, you have to make the time to do it. Plenty of people in this industry hold down jobs, raise families, write and promote, so it shouldn’t be impossible for you. It’s about what’s important. Clearly, you don’t think your writing is worth making your website user friendly or promoting to the best of your ability. You shouldn’t be surprised if readers decide they can’t be arsed either.
OT: people who use ‘fricking’ instead of the actual swear word, drive me fucking nuts.
M. Mitchell
November 24
7:28 pm
I have looked into Mystic Moon Press. I loved the sound of the name. Then I looked at what kind of books they published and when I saw their covers… I really think they look cheap. They are no better than what anyone with a laptop could do in a couple of hours.
I think it is perfectly possible that one person is doing several things under one name.
I read some of what they have put out. Editors they are not.
Mary Frances
December 29
4:35 pm
Ahhh…mystic moon press….owned by none other Than
Keeley McGregor, aka Jennifer mitchell. Keeley was the invisible queen. MMP was owned and run by Kris Chartrand of New York and Jennifer from New Mexico.
All facts, all true. Now defunct, MMP left a number of authors in the lurch. Personally, they owe me thousands. One Shot One Kill hit the top three on Fictionwise. My book! Did I see any money? No. But I did a lot of digging…Mitchell and Kris killed McGregor off…there never was a McGregor…just a ruse. Then when we exposed them, they shut down MMP. One day, kris and Jenn, you will pay. One shot, one kill!