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Tough Peer Feedback May Boost a Paper’s Future Impact
publishing6.395 min read

Tough Peer Feedback May Boost a Paper’s Future Impact

5 days agoSource: Nature
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Author Cait Corrain Exposed for Fake Reviews, Loses Book Deal
publishing
4.175 min2 years ago

Author Cait Corrain Exposed for Fake Reviews, Loses Book Deal

Author Cait Corrain has been dropped by her agent and publisher after admitting to posting fake reviews on Goodreads to boost her own book's rating and negatively impact other debut authors. The publisher, Del Rey, stated that Corrain's book, "Crown of Starlight," will no longer be published, and her agent, Rebecca Podos, announced the end of their partnership. Corrain's actions were exposed by author Xiran Jay Zhao, who identified several suspicious accounts involved in the review-bombing. Many of the targeted authors were people of color. Goodreads has removed the fake reviews and emphasized its commitment to maintaining the authenticity and integrity of ratings.

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Online Harassment and Consequences: A Recap of Recent Author Controversies
publishing2 years ago

Online Harassment and Consequences: A Recap of Recent Author Controversies

Author Cait Corrain, whose debut novel was set to be published next year, has issued an apology after being exposed for writing scathing fake book reviews targeting authors of color on Goodreads. Corrain's literary agent, publishing company, and distributor have all dropped her following the revelation. Corrain attributed her behavior to battling depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse, as well as a new medication and a psychological breakdown. She accepted responsibility for the pain caused and acknowledged the delay in posting the apology due to withdrawal while sobering up.

Unraveling the Cait Corrain Controversy: A Deep Dive into Book Fan Obsession
publishing2 years ago

Unraveling the Cait Corrain Controversy: A Deep Dive into Book Fan Obsession

Debut author Cait Corrain has been dropped by her publishers and literary agent after being accused of review bombing other authors on Goodreads. Corrain allegedly used fake accounts to leave one-star reviews on books by authors of color and increase votes for her own debut novel. The controversy unfolded on BookTok and Book Twitter, with evidence and receipts being shared by authors such as Xiran Jay Zhao. Corrain initially blamed a friend but later issued a public apology, citing struggles with depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse. The consequences include losing publishing deals and partnerships, while authors affected by the review bombing express mixed reactions to the apology.

Unraveling the Cait Corrain Controversy: From Goodreads to Book Deals
publishing2 years ago

Unraveling the Cait Corrain Controversy: From Goodreads to Book Deals

A controversy has erupted in the publishing world as over a half-dozen fake Goodreads accounts were found review bombing upcoming authors and books with similar themes, while giving 5-star ratings to fellow debut author Cait Corrain's book. Corrain initially claimed that a friend was responsible for the actions, but many remain unconvinced. The scandal has gone viral on social media platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit. The targeted authors include people of color, and some have accused Corrain of orchestrating the review bombing campaign to gain attention for their own book. Corrain's publisher and agent have ended their partnership, and the book has been removed from publishing schedules.

Controversy Surrounding Jordan Peterson's Book Cover Quotes
publishing2 years ago

Controversy Surrounding Jordan Peterson's Book Cover Quotes

Two critics have accused Jordan Peterson's book, Beyond Order, of using their reviews in a misleading way on its cover. The quotes from the Times and the New Statesman were selectively chosen, omitting negative aspects of the reviews. One critic called it a "gross misrepresentation" and demanded the removal of the quote. Another critic joked about the publisher's work in disguising a negative review. The matter raises questions about selective quoting in the publishing industry.

The Dangers of Review-Bombing for Pre-Published Books.
publishing2 years ago

The Dangers of Review-Bombing for Pre-Published Books.

Goodreads, a social media platform and review site, has become an essential avenue for building readership, but reviews can be weaponized, in some cases derailing a book’s publication long before its release. Review bombing campaigns have caused authors to delay or cancel their novels, and even established authors have been subjected to such campaigns. Goodreads allows any registered user to review or rate a book, even if it hasn't been released yet. While Goodreads has taken steps to improve its ability to detect and remove content that violates the site’s community guidelines, it still faces criticism for not doing enough to protect authors from online harassment.

The Dangers of Review-Bombing for Pre-Published Books.
publishing2 years ago

The Dangers of Review-Bombing for Pre-Published Books.

Goodreads, a social media platform and review site, has become an essential avenue for building readership, but reviews can be weaponized, in some cases derailing a book’s publication long before its release. Review bombing campaigns have caused authors to delay or cancel their novels, and even established authors have been subjected to such campaigns. Goodreads allows any registered user to review or rate a book, even if it hasn't been released yet. While Goodreads has taken steps to improve its ability to detect and remove content that violates the site’s community guidelines, it still faces criticism for not doing enough to protect authors from online harassment.