Plagiarism is real
Over the last week, I've seen some pretty bad posts regarding a certain author taking from another authors books. I looked over the evidence myself and can concur that the plagiarism is, indeed, real. It's sad to think that another author would take from someone who put their hard work into their baby. I am lucky enough to have started all this in 2010, wrote quite a few books but didn't release them until 2012.
The pressure to put a book out is real, and I know I sometimes feel overwhelmed working my ass off to put out a new book. That's why Jenjo and I take 2 month breaks from it. I don't want to write some piece of shit book just to satisfy the masses, I want it to be good, I want it to pull you in and leaving you wanting more.
The pressure is real, but I can't see myself ever taking from someone else. I have my own mind, my own ideas and respect for my readers. You want a fresh story, a good and well written story and I strive to make that happen with every release.
I met the plagiarizing author at GRL. Will I unfriend her? Probably not but I will remove her works from my kindle since they aren't really hers and I will distance myself. I've never been one to judge, I just can't, so whatever the author is going through right now with masses removing her books and money refunded is probably punishment enough. (I'm sure the legal battle will be soon)
I can assure you all that I will keep churning out to the best of my ability the stories you have come to love. I have always stuck to the rule of "Judge not, lest ye be judged." I'm not perfect, none of us are, but i refuse to cheat my way into a best selling spot. I don't buy reviews (Yes you can), and I stay the straight and narrow. I want my book sales to reflect my writing. I want to know that five star review came from someone who's real and read the book.
This is my job. Al I do is write and I have no one taking care of me but me. I have four kids that even though grown, still need me. You never stop being a parent whether they are 21, 41 or 51. They are still your babies.
So don't worry, I'm not even CLOSE to being done writing. I have mouths to feed ya know....lol
The pressure to put a book out is real, and I know I sometimes feel overwhelmed working my ass off to put out a new book. That's why Jenjo and I take 2 month breaks from it. I don't want to write some piece of shit book just to satisfy the masses, I want it to be good, I want it to pull you in and leaving you wanting more.
The pressure is real, but I can't see myself ever taking from someone else. I have my own mind, my own ideas and respect for my readers. You want a fresh story, a good and well written story and I strive to make that happen with every release.
I met the plagiarizing author at GRL. Will I unfriend her? Probably not but I will remove her works from my kindle since they aren't really hers and I will distance myself. I've never been one to judge, I just can't, so whatever the author is going through right now with masses removing her books and money refunded is probably punishment enough. (I'm sure the legal battle will be soon)
I can assure you all that I will keep churning out to the best of my ability the stories you have come to love. I have always stuck to the rule of "Judge not, lest ye be judged." I'm not perfect, none of us are, but i refuse to cheat my way into a best selling spot. I don't buy reviews (Yes you can), and I stay the straight and narrow. I want my book sales to reflect my writing. I want to know that five star review came from someone who's real and read the book.
This is my job. Al I do is write and I have no one taking care of me but me. I have four kids that even though grown, still need me. You never stop being a parent whether they are 21, 41 or 51. They are still your babies.
So don't worry, I'm not even CLOSE to being done writing. I have mouths to feed ya know....lol
I love what you said about not judging her as I have been one of biggest fans for years and although I too removed her books form my reading devices, I have not been able to bring myself to rant and rage in anger at her. My heart is broken because I was lied to but she is still a human being and Ihave not walked in her shoes to know what drove her to feel she need to steal from someone else. Thank you for your amazing and honest work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle!! BIG HUGS to you. You are a wonderful person and don't let one bad apple stop you from loving the MM world!
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about this, and since I haven't been on here in a while I don't know who this author is, you said you have removed her or his works but I'm not sure who it is or if I want to know, is it that saying ignorance is bliss or maybe I want to know I respect all my favorite authors(by the way your new book fret awesome love it) my heart hurts to know that indeed plagiarism does happen I love romance and happy endings but original stories that come from the heart are what readers want and honestly I'm confused what if this writer is one of my favorites? You, alexa land and so many others have filled my kindle with the best stories ever and thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteThe author is Laura Harner. Thank you so much for all your kind words!
DeleteBonjour Sandrine, juste un petit mot pour vous dire ceci: i feel the same as you when i learned about this author. And like you said, she is being punish enought.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading your book. Continue your great work :)
Thank you!!! <3
DeleteIs she a popular author? I had heard/read about this a while back....who is she?
ReplyDeleteLaura Harner
DeleteP.S. Keep up the awesome work!! I FOR ONE LOVE ALL OF YOUR BOOKS!! CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!! And to answer your other question, I don't know how she wouldn't think she would get caught. It wasn't just a few lines!
DeleteI've read her "work" too and was pretty surprised at the extent of the plagiarism. Did she not think it would be noticed?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, Sandy, I think we might have spoken very briefly about this plagiarist if I am not mistaken. I was devastated by this. I thought only one book was pulled. Now, if it is more that is so crushing. I loved the worlds she built, but to use others hard, blood, sweat and tears, words...I'm more than crushed. I feel like someone took something from me.
ReplyDeleteTo me, plagiarizing work is so much harder than writing your own work. I know sometimes people happen to use common cliches, sayings, or metaphors, or just regular sentences that sound similar. I've made that mistake a time or two and purposefully gone back and re-wrote what I wrote. It happens because some who have minds that remember these words can easily re-word them for their own use. I've seen it with a lot of written work. It's kind of like what they are doing with movies these days, by recycling what's been used.
However, that isn't the case with the book I saw the evidence with. It was atrocious. It was blatant plagiarism all for money. MONEY! Everyone in this world needs money for bills. How she managed to do this and make it seem flawless and stick with the story still baffles me. I have to get lost in my own words to keep up with a story or a paper I'm writing. If you take something that doesn't belong to you it can throw off continuity or flow. It's subtle, but it can happen. If you can see it in the writing it makes sense what I'm talking about. I read every single thing this author wrote...and it's a lot. Now looking back I have to wonder about a lot of her stuff. Generally, some writers have a writing style that is very common to them. In this author's her style is the same throughout and I, unfortunately, have to admit that a good majority of her work could all be plagiarized. I have to wonder if she used numerous other works to help her along. Her worlds were awesome. So awesome in a way I felt like I was in your world or in a world like Sherrilyn Kenyon's. I have to admit that I kept what she has only as a reminder of what she did and is. That is my punishment to her in my own way. Knowing what she did and taking away the favorite part of me "getting lost in a story" was my way of flipping the bird, so to speak. It shatters people. How anyone can do this, I'll never understand. Her fans were many and she devastated us. How is that right? It's not. It never will be. She took from us. And I hope she realizes the severity of what she did. Not because she got caught, but from what she did to her former fans. I can go on...but it was heartbreaking. I hope a lesson was learned. It's not about money! Of course, we need it, but it's more than that. It's the author and their heart that they put on the line to get published. I'm sure she is being punished enough, but in the end she needs to not only own up to it with those she stole from but her fans. She crushed and stole from us too. I'd never bad mouth her, but I'd definitely tell her how devastated I am.
Amazing insightful words Sandy!!! Keep writing, you definitely give to yourself and your fans and we love you for it!
Thank you!! My heart breaks for her loyal readers. :(
DeleteI hadn't heard about this author, but it is the second mm author I like to read in the time span of a few months that this has happened with. The first author was a quick fix type of author, the books were over in half an hour, and whilst good for a quick read, certainly were not able to provide the depth of feeling I get from your novels. I was still disappointed though, I had invested my time and money in this author. I also had books from the author you speak of. Whilst not a favourite, I found her books well written and her characters engaging. I also deleted all books from both authors, not only was deleting them sad, but I will miss their books in the future. A sad situation for readers and the author who had her work stolen.
ReplyDeleteI would just like to say, you are worth every second of the wait for your next release, and I am glad to continue to wait for the quality product you provide, both in the structure of the characters and story, and the high level of editing.
Thank you for continuing to prove that the genre of mm is not only made up of trashy, poorly edited works that are churned out in a matter of days, but also quality authors who take pride in what they are producing. You are one of the rare authors I buy without needing to read a blurb, I have all your novels and not once have you let your readers down.