Comments on: What It Means to Be a Fan

By: Layne

Layne — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:41:45 +0000

The CE story has conjured up a lot of emotion among readers, but the truth is simple: publishing is a BUSINESS and in the end, it won’t matter if CE plagiarized Jesus himself, as long as her books continue to sell, the publishers are going to release them. Kensington is keeping quiet because they know this controversy will blow over and disappear (as all scandals do), and they’re not going to throw away a “cash cow” – no matter how many bloggers protest.

Plus, this situation has given CE a lot of press and the downside of that is, she will probably sell MORE books now, not LESS.

By: Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary » Blog Archive » YA Honor of Orson Scott Card Controversial in Light of Anti-Homosexuality Statements

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:11:32 +0000

[...] is especially thought provoking given the discussion on Sunday about separating the author from the author’s [...]

By: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:59:54 +0000

JD – robb?!?

Man! How could I have missed that one all these years? LOL!

I seriously love this!

By: Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary » Blog Archive » Defining the Meaning of Plagiarism for the Fiction Community

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:00:41 +0000

[...] articulated something very meaningful in the comments yesterday about plagiarism. She said: Now to me, it seems pretty obvious that if something is important enough to put into your book, [...]

By: MaryK

MaryK — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:45:11 +0000

So, Nora,

JD – robb?!?

LMAO!!

I may have to start buying you new! [Oh no, does this make me a fangirl?]

Seriously,

There are other individuals who justify and excuse away criticisms of Author X's books. These individuals have clearly made the distinction between author and work, but the work is unassailable. These are the individuals I would label as fangirls.

Yeah, this is my brand of fangirl. I definitely tend to be an apologist for my autobuy authors. And, in their case, it does have more to do with their talent and voice than with any particular book. I try not to find out too much about those authors’ personal lives out of fear I’ll find out their siren song is leading me someplace I don’t want to go.

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:32:00 +0000

Kensington publishes one of my very favorite authors, Jo Goodman, but to reissue that Edwards book now, of all times, makes me think they perhaps are not paying attention? And, perhaps, they need to be?

By: Shannon Stacey

Shannon Stacey — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:41:37 +0000

I think Kensington’s in much more of a bind as far as making a statement because they already publish a notorious plagiarist. Any repurcussions against one would effect not only the one but rather two of their “bread & butter” authors, or at the very least open them to some very unsavory questions. I’m guessing they’ve got the corner of the rug propped up, praying for a broom.

By: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:59:30 +0000

~But I do know how I have reacted to the lack of any kind of statement from Kensington. Given their release of a CE ebook this week, the lack of even a general comment strikes me as sloppy, second-rate and very bad public relations.~

I heard you, and can’t disagree.

By: LinM

LinM — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:55:28 +0000

#
~she says expectantly, eyebrows raised, looking in the general direction of New York, hoping for some type of response from the other two publishers~

We may want responses, but they're not obliged to give them. They may, in fact, be advised by their legal department not to at this time.
#

Not commenting may be the safest legal option but it doesn’t do much for the public image. One of the new books on Fictionwise today is a Kensington re-release of a Cassie Edwards title. The SBTB’s pdf document doesn’t list any instances of plagiarism in this book but I was shocked to see it on a new release list. I am angry because of the absence of any kind of statement from this publisher. Kensington now has a reputation in my mind: their ebook department publishes Janet Dailey and Cassie Edwards; and faced with serious queries, they are absolutely silent.

I have never been able to decide how I feel about Kensington’s decision to publish Janet Dailey. I will never read her books again but I don’t know if a plagiarism conviction should be a life sentence. (13 books?? I definitely will never read her books again).

But I do know how I have reacted to the lack of any kind of statement from Kensington. Given their release of a CE ebook this week, the lack of even a general comment strikes me as sloppy, second-rate and very bad public relations.

By: Shiloh Walker

Shiloh Walker — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:19:41 +0000

I might kill people in my books, but I only think about it in real life.

Would you consider making this into a bumper sticker?

By: Patricia Rice

Patricia Rice — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:07:44 +0000

Okay, that’s what I get for typing after my brain has gone to bed. I did not mean in any way, shape, or form by #2 above that one should forgive an author’s plagiarism and read their books if you like them. I was referring to books in general and authors in general. Obviously, CE is not one of the authors I know or read. Obviously, I don’t recommend buying or reading stolen property.

By: Patricia Rice

Patricia Rice — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:24:01 +0000

1) I thoroughly agree with the person who objected to labels. Labels narrow our thinking.
2) I do wish it were possible to separate book from author much as I’d like it if people would not worship movie stars because of the roles they play. The author is not their book. Books are works of fiction. I might kill people in my books, but I only think about it in real life. If I enjoy a person’s writing, I would prefer not let the author’s personality mar my enjoyment. I wish I ruled the world.
3) Plagiarism is wrong. As an author, I view it as theft and a personal violation. Every author I know believes the same, and I know a LOT of authors. But we’re not saints, we have friends, we go off on weird tangents, and really, we’re not worth worshipping. Read our books. They’re better edited than our rants. Including this one.
4) Please, everyone, stop blaming the editors. The book is the responsibility of the author. The editors did not research or write the books, they merely edited out bad grammar, questioned conflicts or pacing, and passed it on while juggling all the other business aspects that clutter their desks. They’re probably closer to saints than writers.
5) Thank you for this intelligent discussion on a higher level than seems to be going on elsewhere. Let’s prove romance readers (and authors) aren’t the raving lunatics the media would like to show us as.

By: JC Wilder

JC Wilder — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:28:19 +0000

I am constantly amazed by the authors and readers who complain about the SB site uncovering the issues with CE’s book. What was the bigger crime, CE copying the work of another or someone catching her?

One reason people would defend her is they don’t want to believe she’d do that. There is a level of trust between the author and reader that comes from someone shelling out their money to buy a book then spending x number of hours reading it. The reader trusts the author to tell them a good story and when they realize it wasn’t completely from the author, that trust is violated.

But wrong is still wrong.

By: azteclady

azteclady — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:56:54 +0000

Robin, I have been wanting to say something about the cat since the post came online. He just looks so disgruntled, doesn’t he?

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:13:04 +0000

Okay, off topic, I know, but that cat is just so perfect for how I’ve been feeling lately that I keep clicking back to this post just to get the laugh when I see that picture and caption.

By: mary beth

mary beth — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:58:05 +0000

Wow, I call myself a fangirl all the time of Deborah Smith, Margot Early, Karen Templeton, and JD Robb. Doesn’t matter what they write, I put it in my shopping cart at Wal-Mart or Amazon or e-Harlequin. :-)
The interesting thing to me is seeing how many people can’t separate the author from the book. I don’t know any of the four authors I mentioned above. The only one I’d recognize if I passed in a bar is Nora and that’s only because she’s so visible. I don’t look at the personal opinions I read from these authors as tied in any way to their books. Of course, I’ve never felt like their words were personal attacks–I’m sure that would change everything.
You know, there’s nothing wrong with debate and discussion. It demands people learn to defend their positions and it makes sure all positions are being covered. In the end it leads to greater understanding. It’s not going to change the minds of those firmly encamped on either side, but the majority of those somewhere in the middle are able to make informed decisions.
As a fangirl of the four authors mentioned above, I’d definitely jump in and say I LOVED book “XYZ” (if I did) and explain why if someone wrote they hated it, but I wouldn’t hate the reviewer for their opinion.

By: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:43:14 +0000

~I think I've been disillusioned a little.~

I’m really sorry if this is so.

My editor is a key person in my career–professionally and creatively. I very much respect and value her. I want her editorial input, and depending on the situation, I want her guidance. My opinion is every writer needs an editor (whether they think so or not.)

But I don’t want a co-author.

Others may, and that’s just fine.

By: DS

DS — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:30:43 +0000

I was trying to think where I developed the idea that the editor was the author’s guide and almost co-author. I think it comes from reading literary biographies of many early to mid-20th century authors such as Tom Wolfe (the Look Homeward Angel TW) where often a particular editor is given part of the credit for helping to guide and develop a talent.

I think I’ve been disillusioned a little.

By: Ann Aguirre » Blog Archive » Separation

Ann Aguirre » Blog Archive » Separation — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:43:13 +0000

[...] been following the post over at Dear Author called What It Means to Be a Fan. I’ve read all the comments, many of which are thoughtful and well-considered. But I’m [...]

By: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:32:18 +0000

I want to address the editor angle again, because editors have taken a lot of heat over the CE thing.

I’ve worked with three publishing houses in my career, and in those houses with seven editors altogether.

Three at Silhouette, though my closest and longest association was with the wonderful Isabel Swift.

Two at Bantam.

Two at Putnam/Berkley, though my closest and longest association has been with the fabulous Leslie Gelbman. (Don’t ever leave me, Les!)

The dynamics, the relationship, the working style between me and every one of those seven editors was/is different. What I might be asked to do, how the editor might approach her editorial input, how we discuss the book or aspects of it. All different.

It’s my style–almost always–to agree to suggested editorial changes. Almost comes in when I just can’t or don’t agree, and this is rare. The editor, imo, is usually right. And the editor will listen to my ‘I don’t think so’ because I’m not arguing every point, every time.

This isn’t every writer’s style. And some editors are very hands-on, some are very hands-off. Some are essentially collaborators (NOT my style), some are tweakers and objective readers/critics. (THAT’s my style)Some may fall anywhere between–and it’s their job not just to try to make the book the best that writer can produce, but to respect the writer’s style.

It isn’t their job to suspect and search out plagiarism. I think it is their job to report it if they happen to find it. (And in one of the cases where I was plagiarized, the report came from a senior editor, when the infringing book hit galley stage. The book was pulled from schedule, and cancelled.)

Edwards’ books reached a loyal audience who appreciated her particular writing style. The editor did her job.