Chris proudly shows his new book!

[Darlene Conner]

I look at these pictures and think, what a difference two months makes.
Because of Diane's involvement with Chris, so many things have happened, both to her and to him. I have seen her out and about, I have seen her letters to the editor in the St Paul paper, I have seen articles about her in the St Paul Pioneer Press, I have heard her on the radio in Minnesota...Chris.....where are YOU????? What happened, dude? Why has it been so quiet on your end? Fame doesn't find you, YOU have to go find IT! Come on, man...her latest book is sitting at 72,000 on the Barnes and Noble list, yours is near 400,000. Get off your duff and make it happen, show her and the world that you have what it takes also!

[Diane s advocate]

So why does insecurity play such a big role in your life, Chris Swanson? Why must you blackmail Diane Ganzer until she needs to cry "uncle," and you keep putting the screws to her anyway? Case in point...your trailer was broken into, things were taken. You accused Diane for it, she was nowhere near it. She has been receiving e-mail threats from you/your friends. Do you think this will make her any sweeter? Hardly, I think you are digging your own hole deeper by your/your friends actions. Knock off the bullsh*t, grow up and realize that Diane has moved on. She has a new book, a new guy in her life and new horizons to meet. Get a life of your own and know that for all the sh*t you did to her, she is once again whole and growing. whatever "fame" that you had, died when you dumped her. Say goodbye to your Lady Di....face it...you will never make it. You said one year...you gave it six months. Cut your losses and get out now.

[Heather]

Diane s advocate wrote:

So why does insecurity play such a big role in your life, Chris Swanson? Why must you blackmail Diane Ganzer until she needs to cry "uncle," and you keep putting the screws to her anyway? Case in point...your trailer was broken into, things were taken. You accused Diane for it, she was nowhere near it. She has been receiving e-mail threats from you/your friends. Do you think this will make her any sweeter? Hardly, I think you are digging your own hole deeper by your/your friends actions. Knock off the bullsh*t, grow up and realize that Diane has moved on. She has a new book, a new guy in her life and new horizons to meet. Get a life of your own and know that for all the sh*t you did to her, she is once again whole and growing. whatever "fame" that you had, died when you dumped her. Say goodbye to your Lady Di....face it...you will never make it. You said one year...you gave it six months. Cut your losses and get out now.

I have been following some of the stuff that is written on a few of the sites and found that is all one sided. I have not seen amy bad remarks from Chris. I have read some things written by Diane that are hard to follow. One time she is sorry for all the bad things she's done, and then wants to crucify him the next day on the same web page. If he is that bad, why don't we see anything from him. Is Diane keeping this going alone for attention? Is she playing the martyr or savior? It is difficult to say. She seems like she has a bi-polar disorder. They have medication for that. Maybe all this would seem trivial to her then and she truly can move on with her life. But right now it is apparent that she doesn't want Chris out of her life. I guess bad atention is better than nothing.

[Diane s advocate]

nice to meet you, "Heather," I do believe that it is finally time to meet the one who desecrated Diane's book reviews on the Barnes and Nobles site- never fear...the majority of them WERE removed. As for the "diagnosis" of bi-polar disorder- nothing is further from the truth. Diane told him right off the bat, that if he did anything to hurt her, that hell has no fury like a scorned Aries...he knew that. She is getting back at him, for...what??? Every time she relents, and gives in, Dan Kanan has to stick his nose in where it does NOT belong!.....let's just say that Chris has his "watchdog" on point...of which the Luck police dept is fully aware...this is NOT sitting well with them at all. In fact, Diane has turned tables, becoming an informant of his illegal drug activity as well. Do you think she is stupid? No, she calmly and rationally told them that she has been receiving harassing website submissions, she has saved each and every one for evidence, of which they and her town police dept have copies of. Plus, she sweetened the pot...oh, I made a joke...POT! get it...Chris IS doing it...and they are aware of it and are watching. So, you see, the "watchdog" had better arrange to have better visibility...he can't be everywhere all at once. I also noticed that Menahga is just down the road from...what do you know...BERTHA!!! good job at giving yourself away...this must be TWEET who did this. At least you can spell....Dan can't to save his soul. So, tell Dan to back off and Diane will also back off. Tell Chris also that his X has a new guy in her life, one who treats her better than anything Chris ever did...and she reciprocates...yep, even THERE!!!(when he called her a F****** whore, how many of them had he hung around to know what he was talking about....?)

[OhComeOn]

I don't understand much of this either. From what I gather, Chris and Diane were in a relationship at one point but aren't any longer. I have no idea what went on between the 2 of them, but it appears to me that Diane feel he used her. Happens all the time, and if this is the case, karma will take care of it. I do believe a "real" author doesn't have a book signing at a local dive bar. I was kind of intrigued by what I read of his book UNTIL I learned he was doing a signing at the dive. Lost interest immediately after that.

[Diane s advocate]

thank you, oh comeon....I am glad that someone finally understands just what this poor gal has been through!!! Yes, they had a relationship...at first it seemed made in heaven. Two creative souls at work to make the literary world a better place. Except that Chris became greedy. He thought that writing was like a lottery ticket: you write a book, it gets published and the world beats a path to your door. Except that in real life, a "serious" author does NOT do that...they grab the world be the reins and say "giddy up and GO!" So, Chris has had nothing but bitterness towards her when he realized that despite her hard labors, putting her own writing aside for a bit to promote him- he was going nowhere very fast. Going to the Rendezvous in Grantsburg last October was Chris's idea. Diane had signings lined up for him in Minnesota at places which included the Taste of Minnesota and small radio stations, including an internet station. he mocked her that he "would need more than those silly stations and events" to market his book. It was all about him. She took him to the Marine on St Croix Arts and Crafts event in September- a very classy place indeed...he spent thirty minutes criticizing her for WHY he was there, that he could have made more money going to work that day.
So you see, she really had her work cut out for her. Chris's lack of appreciation is what killed off any feelings of pride that she had, it was back to serious business. her last book is doing extremely well in the rankings check out her site at www.writeinyourearproductions.com . Unlike Chris, Diane will never be caught in a bar promoting her work, she was just featured in the St Paul Pioneer Press as well as two well known radio stations...one in the Twin Cities and one in Mora. All Chris has is " a book." What Diane has is a reputation for writing with the intent to help others. Chris admitted he can't write without a "buzz" from marijuana. His undoing. Quality works shines, guess who is shining and who is just transparent? Thank you again, Oh Comeon for your words.

[OhComeOn]

Any person who uses another is not worth my time, no matter who it is. As I said, I am not really aware of what went on between the two of them and honestly, there is always 2 sides. In my experience, Karma ALWAYS rectifies things. If he did Diane wrong, it will come back to him ten fold.

I do want to state I do not know Diane nor do I personally know him. I may know him on sight, but that is it.

That being said, he was known 20 years ago as a drug user and still is as far as I am aware, but I may be wrong and it may just be small town gossip, but....when I read he was doing a book signing at the DIVE bar, that totally dissuaded me from buying any book by him. Frankly, a real author does book signings almost anywhere appropriate, but a dive BAR?? Hahahahaha, what a joke. I wouldn't waste my money on it.

[Diane s advocate]

the drug thing is still going on in his world, possibly why he wanted the "big payoff" from his "writing." He still dresses like an aging rock star, in his mind, he is Motley Crue band member Nikki Sixx's brother, by his own admission! For all those who knew him and knew Diane, she was told to get out of his life both personally as well as professionally, because he would bring her down. She is such a sweet lady, she only wants to help others. The various foundations that she has worked with, including the Ronald McDonald Houses across the country, the St Jude Children's research hospital and now Changing Gaits as well as Sober Way Living, all have been recipients of her books and audio works, which she has freely donated. She also has mentored other would-be authors to propel themselves into the writing world. She has class. Personally, I am glad that it is over and yet, he is making his presence felt in her life by accusing her now of "breaking into" his camper in Shell Lake and vandalizing/stealing, exaggerating the cost of the damage done just to get yet even more money out of her. She was nowhere near it on the day in question.(That camper sits on property that anyone has access to right off hiway D by the lake, it was also left unlocked!) By more money, she has also given Chris approximately one thousand dollars to set him up as a published writer. Yes, her heart was in the right place and when one is blinded by love, it is hard to see what is real and what is just a phony show by one who is out seeking his own gain.
thank you again for your insight.

[OhComeOn]

Diane, he fits the profile of a sociopath...you will never change him and the way he thinks. Take is from someone who knows, move on. Sadly that is not so easy when dealing with these people....but honestly....he will destroy himself. Honestly, Diane, please take it from someone who was married to someone such as Chris for 15 yrs...they DO NOT CHANGE....EVER. God bless Diane.

[Diane G speaks]

I was just shown the page of this site by a dear friend of mine...oh my goodness...I am grateful for your words of wisdom! I have received nothing but hateful e-mails from Chris/and or/his friends for several weeks now, full of profanity and hate! They blame ME for his lack of success, when in reality, he did nothing to further himself.
I hope that your life turns out for the better...feel free to email me if you'd like to "talk" more...I am at [e-mail]. My latest book, "walking in God's Shadow" has inspiration that may help you through the memories of your marriage. You are a blessing!!! If I can help you in ANY way, please, feel free to contact me!!! I look forward to hearing from you!!!
signed, Diane Ganzer

[Becky Malstrup]

I have read this book and Diane did a great job of describing what happened between her and Chris. It boldly states the facts and how she received help through the recovery program called Changing Gaits. This program is not just for addiction recovery, but for many issues that pin us down. I have recommended this book to many people and I thank her for speaking up. Diane, you have done a great job and don't let the psychopaths that cross your path get you down. You were meant to go through that pain and look at what happened...you have a book that is selling very well. I look forward to your next story, according to your site, it is due out in just afew months! Good Luck! Good things DID come from Luck, maybe not directly, but you survived and that's what counts!

[Diane]

The book, "Called to Serve," the final book in my "Patrick the Wayward Setter" series, was nominated for the Minnesota Book Awards, the decision of winner will be decided in April at a huge gala event in St Paul. Sadly, this was the book that Chris, whose poems made up the book's ending, decided to have his work and his name removed. This book is doing well in sales and the reviews have been extremely positive. This book is also in the hands of military personnel in the Mid East, Germany as well as the US. It had been decided that Chris and I would go to Germany in May to promote this book, all expenses paid. He refused to go, in fact; he wanted as little to do with the book as possible. Chris, you cut your nose to spite your face there pal. Your decision cost you the chance to be on live TV, on radio interviews and to be seen by many everywhere. Maybe when "Celebrity Sins" makes it somewhat big in that trailer park of yours, some child someday will ask you for your autograph, or at the very least, to fix his bike chain for him. Good luck and so long....I wish you hadn't gone off the deep end and wanted it all at once. I had said, "it takes time." I guess the drugs were calling you louder than common sense. Take care...

[Sharon Anderson]

he shot himself in the foot, that is for sure. I was at the book signing back in Sept. 2008 at Marine on St Croix, MN. When Diane introduced me to Chris, i frankly was shocked. There she was, looking classy: long skirt, pretty top and there he was; long hair, ragged looking clothes, looking like an aging hippie rockstar wanna-be! Why did she align herself with him, I wondered. Of course, I made small talk, but even in carrying on a conversation, it was embarrassing. He spoke of a "five page website," he said how HIS poems were funny, he reminded me so much of a back woods hillbilly. I bought one of Diane's audiobooks, I did not get anything of Chris's. WHY? I paged through his book and was stunned by the F words, as well as the other cuss words in it. It was a total disregard for the common thinking person. OhComeOn, the reason he did his signing in a DIVE bar...is because his book won't fit in ANYWHERE else! It is just too low to be at a book store or even a WALMART! I am sure that Diane meant well by including him in on "Called to Serve," but now that his work has been taken out of that, it will only be for HER benefit, so it is no great loss. By distancing himself from her, this will allow her to rise...and someday even HE will scratch his head...(other head, Chris! NOT the one in your jeans, there little buddy) and wonder..."Chris, who?"

[OhComeOn]

Sharon Anderson wrote:

he shot himself in the foot, that is for sure. I was at the book signing back in Sept. 2008 at Marine on St Croix, MN. When Diane introduced me to Chris, i frankly was shocked. There she was, looking classy: long skirt, pretty top and there he was; long hair, ragged looking clothes, looking like an aging hippie rockstar wanna-be! Why did she align herself with him, I wondered. Of course, I made small talk, but even in carrying on a conversation, it was embarrassing. He spoke of a "five page website," he said how HIS poems were funny, he reminded me so much of a back woods hillbilly. I bought one of Diane's audiobooks, I did not get anything of Chris's. WHY? I paged through his book and was stunned by the F words, as well as the other cuss words in it. It was a total disregard for the common thinking person. OhComeOn, the reason he did his signing in a DIVE bar...is because his book won't fit in ANYWHERE else! It is just too low to be at a book store or even a WALMART! I am sure that Diane meant well by including him in on "Called to Serve," but now that his work has been taken out of that, it will only be for HER benefit, so it is no great loss. By distancing himself from her, this will allow her to rise...and someday even HE will scratch his head...(other head, Chris! NOT the one in your jeans, there little buddy) and wonder..."Chris, who?"

I so agree. An author that signs books at a dive bar is not an author in my book, but merely a wannabe. I think you hit that one right on the head.....an aging rock star wannabe. Diane, try your best to not let him and the other sociopaths drag you down. That is what people of this ilk do....use, use, use until there is nothing left to gain and then they move on with no remorse or even genuine feeling. You are so much better than that Diane. God Bless.

[Ben Thompson]

Sharon Anderson- he shot himself in the foot, that is for sure. I was at the book signing back in Sept. 2008 at Marine on St Croix, MN. When Diane introduced me to Chris, i frankly was shocked. There she was, looking classy: long skirt, pretty top and there he was; long hair, ragged looking clothes, looking like an aging hippie rockstar wanna-be! Why did she align herself with him, I wondered. Of course, I made small talk, but even in carrying on a conversation, it was embarrassing. He spoke of a "five page website," he said how HIS poems were funny, he reminded me so much of a back woods hillbilly. I bought one of Diane's audiobooks, I did not get anything of Chris's. WHY? I paged through his book and was stunned by the F words, as well as the other cuss words in it. It was a total disregard for the common thinking person. OhComeOn, the reason he did his signing in a DIVE bar...is because his book won't fit in ANYWHERE else! It is just too low to be at a book store or even a WALMART!
I was at this signing in Grantsburg. Oct 18th, 2008, it was at the Rendezvous bar. Those in attendance included a gal named Debbie, who admitted to being drunk and was going to go home to become more drunk, her admission! There was a guy named Rick, he too become intoxicated, as did several others in Chris's entourage. Sure, he sold books, but to HIS clan. Several times he left out the back door, leaving Diane to her own mercy. and when one gal stopped in, from a very well known organization that supports the veterans, he snubbed her. She waitied so patiently , with Diane trying her best to make conversation, attempting several times to get Chris's attention. It was Diane who set up the bar for his signing and Diane who took everything down. She did her best to keep the energy level up, complimenting Chris at every turn as well as making favorable remarks ABOUT him to the ones who came. A true lady? You bet! I have lived in Grants burg for many years, going back to visit friends on this weekend. I had heard the buzz that a celebrity was coming to sign books. After what I witnessed, I can honestly say, yes, there WAS a celebrity there that day.
It was NOT Christopher Swanson.
Good luck, Diane, you deserve every good thing. If your book has won an award, I will be certain to get a copy from Barnes and Noble. Thank you!

[MN troop supporter]

Just heard that Called to Serve is being read by General Nash....if this is true...WONDERFUL! Get the kudos from the highest people who can do this book justice. The Marine Corps has a "Commandant's Reading List" as well, of which Called to Serve is being considered for that honor as well. Go for it, Diane, keep raising the bar higher, you deserve every good thing!!! Chris Swanson, once again has proved himself unworthy by having his name removed from the work that Diane so generously gave him.....why???If he was smart, he would have stayed by her side instead of demanding that what he did was worth millions. What he did would not have seen the light of day if not for Diane! Good thing they have parted ways, he was an anvil around her neck anyway!!! If anything is mentioned about so called "copyright issues," Diane owes it all.

[Scars N Stripes]

to thank our many troops for their fine service, I present the following poem, excerpted from Called to serve, by Diane Ganzer (Avid Readers Publishing Group 2008)

Now look at what they've done;
They took my only son.
Shipped off to war,
To see the horror
And die for everyone
Now look at what they did
This war where no one wins.
With guns and bombs,
The dads and moms
Pray for all our sins
Now look at what they said;
This war must go ahead.
To fight for others,
Our sisters and brothers
Soon might all be dead
Now look at what they do;
This nightmare can't be true.
If I'm just dreaming,
Then why am I screaming
Till I'm red, white, and blue?

[Diane Ganzer]

Charges have been trumped up against me by my "former co-author," Chris Swanson. If anyone believes in justice...stand up now and speak out. He is claiming I have defiled a harassment order during December,destroying his property, which is false. I have NOT set foot in Wisconsin since Nov 15th, 2008. I am in need of witnesses who will put an end to this madness and clear my good name.
Thank you

[Patty Levi]

I can verify that Diane Ganzer has NOT been in Wisconsin...she turned down not one, but two book appearances....she said it was for personal reasons. Now I understand why, after reading all of this.
Diane, hang in there, sunny days are ahead!!

[Dave Mortensen]

Dave Mortensen USMC says:
this one is for Chris Swanson

Handshake for heroes…you’ve got to be kidding me, right? I mean, in all my years in the Marines, no one has ever done that for me. Or us. I have a copy of Called to Serve with your poems in it. I admit, I have to say, that after what you did to your coauthor, it means absolutely nothing to me. I have thrown that book out. I will order one from amazon without your name on it. It is absolutely facetious to even consider that your words mean anything at all. My two brothers, who have also served in the Corps, stand behind me when I say this:
Because of the shit you dished out to Diane, you stand alone. Take your so called compliments and jam them. We don’t need it, the military doesn’t need it either. You never served, so you have no idea whatsoever what we went through. None at all.