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?