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2000

Abstract

/cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*fgtjjme2TuJkI_O_GWq1RA.png"><figcaption>Canva graphic and screenshot by author</figcaption></figure><p id="f501">OK, so, sir, let me get this straight. You want me to click on your Acorn link (which likely earns you money), get my own account and deposit my own money, then screenshot you my information on my account…all of this shouts SCAM so loud I can hear my ears ringing. Perhaps you’d prefer if we just sent you our banking information, email address, and ask you about our car’s extended warranty while we’re at it?</p><p id="5e84">I’ve seen similar job postings where people want you to go to their Amazon page, BUY THEIR PRODUCT, leave a thorough review, and then they’ll compensate you after screenshots of proof. Sorry — I am here to make money, not spend my own money to help you with your products.</p><h2 id="cd4b">The creepy stalker…</h2><figure id="5f84"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*eKbrEYqXcB1tsYsVYVSOlQ.png"><figcaption>Canva graphic and screenshot by author</figcaption></figure><p id="8e0b">This happens a lot. And it’s scary the level to which stalkers, angry exes, and jealous partners will go to make sure the person they are after has no privacy or sense of safety.</p><p id="af21">One other similar post I saw a few months ago was a man who wanted to hire someone to write a public “shaming” post to make their ex-partner look like a lying cheating you-know-what. They specifically requested the post be written in such a way that it pointed out how “fat and gross” this poor woman was so they could make her look as bad as possible.</p><p id="0c59">No. Just no.</p><p id="8ef6">And shame to any writer who would try to make a buck or two off of the suffering of another person. Double shame to any person who would do this to get back at an ex — and to be willing to pay someone to do it!</p><h2 id="8723">Lonely much?</h2><figure id="ad4c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com

Options

/v2/resize:fit:800/1*ku4_CHoMvqaYTfqvl_zFsg.png"><figcaption>Canva graphic and screenshot by author</figcaption></figure><p id="b07e">I admit — I have no idea what is going on here. I think this person might just be really lonely, have a crush on some dude named James, and really, I mean really, want to act out this fantasy? As much as I feel empathy here…isn’t this, well, unhealthy?</p><p id="a816">Or is there something else going on here? Catfishing? Stalking? I have no idea.</p><h2 id="1888">Erotica or crime fiction?</h2><figure id="7248"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Q1e-ZJJJqbV2yjtIG7nEoQ.png"><figcaption>Canva graphic and screenshot by author</figcaption></figure><p id="795b">Check out both the screenshot above and the following quote, both of which in my opinion fetishizes criminal behavior:</p><blockquote id="f106"><p>“I collect erotic stories. I specifically like to collect true stories from authors past experiences. I would like to hire a female author to write a story about a past nonconsensual experience. Please respond with a brief overview as Generic responses will not be considered. 2500 words.”</p></blockquote><p id="2eb1">I get that erotica often crosses lines. I get that erotica has a flavor for every person — but to me, violence against women is not acceptable. At least, I’ll never take a job writing this type of material. Maybe there’s a market for this kind of thing — but I’ll pass. I have my branding, my reputation, and my dignity to maintain. I won’t send a message to women everywhere that violence against women is ever ok with me. Besides — as writers, we often have no idea where the materials we write will end up. Or if they will use OUR names attached to the work — yikes!</p><p id="d81f"><i>Thanks for reading today — stay tuned for more tales from this crazy freelance writing life. I’d also love to hear your tales of similar experiences. Comment section’s that way! </i><b>⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇</b></p></article></body>

WRITING

Super Creepy Writing Job Offers

When job offers have a creep factor

Job boards and sites are common for writing work. Many of us freelancers cruise these job boards looking for filler work opportunities or potential long-term clients. Most of the time these requests for work are laughably low-paid — and other times, they’re downright creepy.

Note: To protect the identity of these job posters and the sites on which they are posted, I am using screenshots with any identifiable information covered.

But folks…check out these super-creepy and somewhat alarming requests for hire that I found just today on popular job sites.

“I have a friend who…”

This one isn’t creepy until you read between the lines. Is this person truly looking for help for their friend? Or is this a boyfriend or husband looking to have even more control over a partner’s weight and looks?

I’ll let you decide what you think — but for me, it’s the latter.

It seems to me this person is looking to “help” their partner to rise up to meet their own personal standards. I’ll pass on this job.

Just give them your banking info…

OK, so, sir, let me get this straight. You want me to click on your Acorn link (which likely earns you money), get my own account and deposit my own money, then screenshot you my information on my account…all of this shouts SCAM so loud I can hear my ears ringing. Perhaps you’d prefer if we just sent you our banking information, email address, and ask you about our car’s extended warranty while we’re at it?

I’ve seen similar job postings where people want you to go to their Amazon page, BUY THEIR PRODUCT, leave a thorough review, and then they’ll compensate you after screenshots of proof. Sorry — I am here to make money, not spend my own money to help you with your products.

The creepy stalker…

This happens a lot. And it’s scary the level to which stalkers, angry exes, and jealous partners will go to make sure the person they are after has no privacy or sense of safety.

One other similar post I saw a few months ago was a man who wanted to hire someone to write a public “shaming” post to make their ex-partner look like a lying cheating you-know-what. They specifically requested the post be written in such a way that it pointed out how “fat and gross” this poor woman was so they could make her look as bad as possible.

No. Just no.

And shame to any writer who would try to make a buck or two off of the suffering of another person. Double shame to any person who would do this to get back at an ex — and to be willing to pay someone to do it!

Lonely much?

I admit — I have no idea what is going on here. I think this person might just be really lonely, have a crush on some dude named James, and really, I mean really, want to act out this fantasy? As much as I feel empathy here…isn’t this, well, unhealthy?

Or is there something else going on here? Catfishing? Stalking? I have no idea.

Erotica or crime fiction?

Check out both the screenshot above and the following quote, both of which in my opinion fetishizes criminal behavior:

“I collect erotic stories. I specifically like to collect true stories from authors past experiences. I would like to hire a female author to write a story about a past nonconsensual experience. Please respond with a brief overview as Generic responses will not be considered. 2500 words.”

I get that erotica often crosses lines. I get that erotica has a flavor for every person — but to me, violence against women is not acceptable. At least, I’ll never take a job writing this type of material. Maybe there’s a market for this kind of thing — but I’ll pass. I have my branding, my reputation, and my dignity to maintain. I won’t send a message to women everywhere that violence against women is ever ok with me. Besides — as writers, we often have no idea where the materials we write will end up. Or if they will use OUR names attached to the work — yikes!

Thanks for reading today — stay tuned for more tales from this crazy freelance writing life. I’d also love to hear your tales of similar experiences. Comment section’s that way! ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇