Will the Real Danielle Steel Please Stand Up??? (Remember that One???)
Hi Everybody,
Well, I’ve just had an exotic ‘modern’ techno experience. I discovered yesterday that there are people out there in Internet-land pretending to be me. Wow!! How’s that for strange?? Apparently with money schemes and all sorts of exotic fare, all pretending to be me. Why would anyone want to do that??
It suddenly reminded me of years ago, way at the beginning of my career, when my face was not yet well known, and my career was just taking off, my publisher got a call that there was a woman on the loose in Southern California, notably having an affair with some radio personality and claiming to be me. We informed him that she was a fraud, since I wasn’t having an affair with him, and the poor guy was really disappointed. She’d been giving him copies of my early poems, and telling him she’d written them for him. I don’t know how it worked out for them, but I was just happy to clear my name. If she was having all the fun, and getting all the flowers and chocolates, no point in my getting credit for it!!! Shortly after that, there was some woman hitch hiking around the state of Virginia, doing interesting sexual things to the people giving her rides, and also claiming to be me. I never knew about any others, and I suppose as my fame grew and people knew my face along with my name, it didn’t leave as much room for people to pretend to be me. I’ve come across a few people over the years, standing right next to me in stores in 2 cases, who were claiming to the people they were with that I was their best friend, although I was standing right next to them and they didn’t recognize me. That’s always a weird feeling, like being suddenly invisible in a bad science fiction movie.
And now, the Internet has opened up new vistas. Apparently it’s a common thing to have people on the Internet pretending to be someone else. I have to admit, it gives me a creepy feeling. They can claim whatever they want, say whatever they want, portray me in any way they want, and if they have all the fun, why should I have all the headaches that go with being Danielle Steel?? (And there are a few).
Anyway, as my publisher announced on the Internet yesterday, the only official Danielle Steel sites are my publisher’s web site at daniellesteel.com, my own/this one, and I believe there is a fan page on Facebook. Anything else, just isn’t for real…..so if someone asks you for a hot date, describes their/my sex life, wants a rundown on yours, tries to bilk you out of money or invites you on a Caribbean vacation as me, I’m sorry to say, it just isn’t me….beware of fakes, in all areas of life…..and the real Danielle Steel is just little ole me, writing to you here every week….maybe we should develop a secret hand shake???? Take care…..thanks for tuning in.
Love, Danielle
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I commented in more detail on Goodreads…great post! Thank you…(-:
BE careful……..people have not managed their money well ANYTHING you say can come at you if it shows you are doing well. I had something like that happen to me. I was talking with a friend and my husband got my attention and I could not believe this guy was saying he knew me and so on. My husband asked him some questions and I wanted to fall off my chair! Then my husband said well meet my wife. The guy was with a bunch of people he was trying to impress. He turned beet red and we bought the group a round and LEFT!!!! The say amazing things… AND I can pick them as well!!!! I just think people were all created honest…..be careful. I have made it so far. And another thing…..it hurts! My heart goes out to you. Do these people know how you struggled??????? I did and I know from your blog and books you have as well. Be careful…even that goof ball who took your money who was with you so long. Be very careful as it is getting harder out there and you and I will just work harder but these people will not. The other day a good friend asked me….when did you know you liked the finer things in life?…..Where was she when I had to work three jobs just to feed my family after my husband left 20 years ago? Well we will make it and just be careful!!!!!
Carole
Incredible! Can’t believe how little self respect some people have for themselves that they’d pretend to be somebody else.I cracked up about the 2 who claimed to be your best friend while you stood there next to them, unrecognized.
There are 2 other women in California with my first name and my married last name, and one has bad credit!! So, after I started getting her calls, I began signing all my e-mails and other things with my maiden name included-which totally differentiates me. It stopped the problems.
Secret handshake sounds good—thx for the warnings.
I just wanted to tell you with lifes ups and downs, I appreciate you and your talent entertaining me. You can always make me feel better.
You are the best!
Keep up the good work.
Your loyal fan
Tamee
Dear Danielle, I am sorry that the internet sometimes take the worst of people. I hope nobody take your name in the future. I am a big fan of your beautiful prose and love to read your books, they make it me feel every steps on your deep feelings. I am writing my first novel (spanish). I share your passion for Paris. I love Paris since I lived there for nearly two years. Thank you for give us all your creativity and the craft of love. All the best for you and your family. From Chile, Carolina Paton.
Danielle,
This is hilarious. You probably don’t think so, but the whole post just made me laugh about the ridiculous people out there. And I think a secret handshake would be awesome!
Scary, eh?
Dear Ms Steel
Why not get a Twitter account ( all the rage at the moment)? Have it verified that way all the fakers will eventually disappear.
I really like your novels so much…i have already read the Jewels,Stars,Full Circle,The Rings,Wandelust and now im reading the Wings.Im always amaze of your novels im hoping that i can read all of it.You are such an amazing writer Danielle Steel.Dont mind people who criticize you.The most important is your still there writing novels and people like me continue to admire every novel you publish…keep up…
Being a famous author does not necessarily mean people know what you look like. I don’t know what the authors of most of the books I have read look like.