Coming Soon to a Bookstore and an Amazon Near You

Today I signed a publishing contract with one of the most dynamic independent book publishers around; a great home for this story. The book about the 23 years I spent in Sharon's cult should be out next summer. The book is basically done but it takes time for these things to get edited, designed, printed, indexed, and put through spell check. (Readers of this blog know that I can neither spell nor right complete sentences.) Many thanks to those of you-who-know-who-you-are for helping me and supporting me on this project. Im tickled that I somehow managed to make this shit experience into something quite good. Also, please be advised that it makes no difference to me that Sharon will not be able to read it. I didnt write this for her or her pathetic lackeys. Its for every victim still in her cult, for survivors of her cult, and for victims and survivors of other cults. This is now a #metoo moment for victims and survivors.

Sharon's Estate is Public Record

Sharon’s will is now public record, on file in the NYS Surrogates’ Court in lower Manhattan. As a public service, we are reporting on some of the highlights and will soon upload the file. Sharon had created a revocable trust in 2015 which held the following assets to be distributed upon her death: furniture, clothes, jewelry, books, cash and her interest in a company called OSG, LLC. OSG is the legal entity for her cult. The value of this trust is not disclosed. In addition, Sharon had a will and listed assets totaling $3,275,000: over a million dollars in annuities, $2 million in an undisclosed LLC, $25,000 in cash, and $50,000 in stocks. Sharon had a provision in her Trust (and a similar one in her Will) which is called “Omission of Children.” In it she said that she “intentionally excluded” her son and his children and her daughter (but not her daughter's children) from receiving anything “for reasons that are known” to them. She also said that she “has deep regret that [her daughter] . . . betrayed her so terribly, and followed in [Sharon's son’s] footsteps.” Sharon was vindictive in life and in death. Sharon was also fickle in life and in death. She could love someone one day and banish them the next, as the following reveals: In June 2016, she was going to leave her jewelry and clothing to Judy Fowler, Mary Terry, Leslie Okladeck, Una McGillicudy and Lianne McNally. But in September 2019, Leslie was cut out and replaced by Rana Glickman. (Mary passed away) In June 2016, she was going to leave her carpets, paintings, and books to Greg Koch, Graves Kiley and Lorraine Imlay. But in June 2019, Graves was out. In June 2016, she was going to leave her ownership in the cult to Chris McNally, Judy Fowler, Greg Koch, and anyone else chosen by Robert Klein. In June 2019, Chris, Judy, and Robert were out, but Minerva Taylor, Lorraine Imlay, and Kenneth Salaz were in.

Thank You, May I Have Another?

Did you ever hear Sharon give a student outlandish, foolish, horrendous or just plain dangerous advice? Personally, I never heard her not, but I know many former members are in a kind of denial that she was a crank. I would love to hear the top 1, 2 or 3 craziest things you heard her say. You can post them or email me. (All inquiries confidential: spencer3000@gmail.com) Here are a couple of my favorites of many: 1) Sharon told a single woman who wanted children to travel to Italy for the sole purpose of hooking-up with a stranger at the Spanish Steps and have unprotected sex. 2) Sharon told a newly married man whose wife (not in School) wanted to know where he was going at night, to tell the wife to "keep your nose out of my private life." (Guess how that worked out.) 3) Sharon told a married woman that unless she left her husband (who had recently left school), she would be kicked out. (This woman never came back to class.)

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Funeral for a Friend

This is totally serious. I think it would be fun and interesting to have a memorial service for Sharon, attended only by former students/members. It will be by Zoom, and I can host. No agenda, no rules, no nothing. Just really an excuse to touch base. A little closure, as if that were possible. No date/time set -- it will be dependent on convenience for participants. There will NOT be: committees, contributions, aims, outbursts, drama, public humiliation, dress code, or dancing with groping teachers. It will hopefully be just some time to see each other (or feel free to mute the camera and/or mike and just listen). Email me if you're interested, but only for former members, please. This will be completely confidential. spencer3000@gmail.com

Strangers

I receive many emails/calls from strangers who have loved ones stuck in School. They tell me that their loved ones cut ties with them, years ago, out of nowehere and for no apparent reason, and they are heartbroken, confused, mourning. For those of you who have survived/escaped, does this sound familiar? Were you in class when Sharon or Fred or Robert would spends months or years wearing members down to cut ties with the closest of friends or family or spouses? It always seemed like a good move (at the time) because Sharon gaslighted us all to beleive that the loved ones were too nosy, not loving enough, too cheap, too dumb, too loving, fill in the blank. As heartbreaking as this is, and how powerless I or anyone is to do anything about this tragedy, I do welcome these emails/calls from strangers and I will continue to honor requests for confidentiality.

Two of Us

My friend and mentor Esther Friedman -- the brilliant author, blogger, musician -- writes: "Just say NO to silence & secrecy! It's toxic." I say to Esther (and to anyone else listening): "The long arm of Sharon Gans reaches beyond the grave, covering the mouths of current and former victims. Its no different than the pedophile priests or coaches who can keep their victims quiet."