Each year, Supernatural costar Misha Collins hosts a massive world-wide scavenger hunt called "GISHWHES," or "The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt The World Has Ever Seen."
Thousands of people around the world participate in teams of 15 members each year, with the winning team being treated to an all-expense paid trip to see Misha Collins.
Hey kids! Me and #GISHWHES contest winners having dinner in Vancouver. @mishacollins we are rockin' without you! XO
This year, two of the items on the list required the involvement of published and/or bestselling authors.
78.Get a previously published Sci-Fi author to write an original story (140 words max) about Misha, the Queen of England and an Elopus: 59 POINTS.
178. Get A NYT best-selling author or Tony-award winning actor or actress doing a dramatic reading of a section of this [the California Driver Handbook]: 112 POINTS.
After multiple requests, YA author Lauren DeStefano took to Facebook to explain why she wouldn't be writing stories for anyone.
Soon after, her Facebook and Tumblr were flooded with mean-spirited messages.
Bestselling author Tamora Pierce's assistant posted a similar message on her official Facebook page...
...with mixed reviews from her fans.
YA author Victoria Aveyard also declined to participate.
On Twitter, other writers posted similar disclaimers.
Repost #2: Dear everybody doing the GISHWHES scavenger hunt: thank you all for asking me to help, have fun, & you can do it without me. Neil
For fairness: nobody nohow. RT @myqroft: For clarity: you won't help *anymore* #GISHWHES participants, or you won't help *any* participants?
I've received many requests to make a video for GISHWHES, but I won't be able to help out this year. I'm really sorry and I feel bad!
Followers, I am not participating in Gwishes. I donate to Random Acts yearly, & will double it if you will leave me alone. #notateamplayer
Science fiction author John Scalzi initially wrote that he wouldn't participate...
Guys, I won't be participating in this GISHWHES thing. I'm swamped by requests and can't possibly fulfill them all.
But he later tweeted this frustrated message:
MISHA COLLINS WAS CONSUMED ALIVE AND SCREAMING BY A ELOPUS WHILE QUEEN ELIZABETH LAUGHED AND CLAPPED THERE THAT'S YOUR GODDAMNED STORY
In response, the GISHWHES team updated their rules Tuesday and promised to dock points from any team that exhibited harassing behavior:
Commandment 4 – Harassment – It's come to our attention that a number of teams have been verbally harassing authors and politicians to achieve items. If someone doesn't want to help you, this is no reason to verbally attack them. We are trying to create art and change lives, not hurt people. Your team will be docked points if we determine that you are breaking Commandment 4. Perhaps more importantly, you are dinging your karma credit. Be nice to people. Remember, you are representing the global community of GISHWHES and that community believes that through art we can change lives – not hurt them.
The contest, which ends August 9th, has already broken three Guinness world records through group events.
I hope everyone has recovered from our Guinness GISHWHES event yesterday. We broke 3 world records, but had some heat-exhaustion heroes.
In summary, don't make Misha Collins sad. Be nice to one another!
