Gemotions

She tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for the book signing to start. It was finally happening! After years of reading and rereading Iris Blackwood's novels, she was getting her book signed! She kept fiddling with the covers in her head. She had brought all of her books, and a notebook, filled with questions.

The author was everything she had imagined, kind, and generous, and took the time to talk. They spoke of the craft, of inspiration, of where Iris got her ideas. She felt like she was floating in a dream.

Later, a notification popped up on her phone: a link to a blog post, comparing Iris Blackwood's latest novel to a collection of short stories by an unknown author. She felt a jolt of shock, then disbelief, then a cold, creeping dread.

She couldn’t catch her breath. The air seemed thin. Her own creativity, her passion, stolen.