Neil Gordon, co-author of “Behind the Doors of Justice” has announced he’ll donate his most recent proceeds from the book to the scholarships in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
In late December, Gordon discovered his co-author, Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill, had plagiarized the book’s preface, and he announced his intention to immediately stop selling the book.
Unfortunately, as first-time publishers, Gordon and Hill didn’t realize removing a book from Amazon wasn’t a simple process.
“When Becky Hill’s husband ‘unpublished’ our book, kindle, and audio book online Dec. 22nd, we were under the impression that sales would cease immediately,” Gordon said. “When sales continued, we examined our publishing agreement, and discovered it takes more time to remove a book from circulation.”
According to the agreement:
“You may withdraw your Digital Books from further sale and your Print Books from further on-demand printing in the Program at any time on five business days advance notice by following the then current Program procedures for Book withdrawal or unpublishing. We may fulfill any customer orders completed through the date the Books are available for sale and we may continue to sell any inventory we have of Print Books. All withdrawals of Books will apply prospectively only and not with respect to any customers who purchased the Books prior to the date of removal.”
Consequently, as of January 8, 2024 nearly 900 copies of the book have sold since Gordon went public with Hill’s plagiarism.
Gordon’s net share of the royalties comes out to $2.50 per unit, the December and January proceeds of which won’t be available until February and March.
Once the Gordons receive the net proceeds from their share, they will donate 100% of the money to Lowcountry charities.
“We want this money that came out of a bad choice to be used for good.”
