I had sworn I was going to stay out of this ruckus, but in light of a post I read on The Book Lantern I did make a comment and I think I need to share that with you, in this forum. This is regarding the accusation that Kristi Diehm, a.k.a. The Story Siren plagiarized fashion blogs as stated in this post. Having been plagiarized myself, I feel strongly on the issue.
We are turning against each other and I think that is wrong. It is human nature to pick sides and sometimes it results in unfortunate consequences. This community has made me feel welcome from the beginning. We help each other, we are friends with each other, when we meet in real life we embrace as if we were friends for a very long time. Don’t turn against each other, make an informed decision and base your actions on your decision and then be done with it.
I know where my decision lies and the actions that I will take because of this decision. I will not judge others that stand behind their chosen victim, I will respect their opinion and do what I feel is the right thing.
Here is my comment from TBLs post:
There is one thing about controversy — it brings out the passion in all of us. I’ve been plagiarized. My reviews just copy and pasted within another book bloggers blog and passed off as their own. I’ve had ideas stolen and even my blog name ripped off — yes, when it comes to abstract ideas the person behind it can always claim ignorance. “I had no idea there was a Parajunkee’s View out there when I picked my name Parajunkie’s View” — whatever right? (It made me feel absolutely horrible! Deep down inside its like having a little part of yourself taken, because I know I’ve worked my ass off for that and this person just thinks they have the right to pass it off as their own!) But, it could happen, and with the lack of “new ideas” out there it does happen. Which is why some are defending her. They are quick to jump on her team and not look at all the evidence behind it. It’s hard to see someone you look up to and respect take a fall. And it’s easy to claim the opposing team is the “bad guys” when you have nothing solid to defend yourself with. This is why in an argument when the opposing side starts to throw insults, you know they’ve run out of a defense…
I would just urge people before they take a side to look at all the evidence and make an informed decision. Just like voting — you wouldn’t just vote for the most popular candidate would you?? Don’t call people names, or throw out words like lynching — that has hate written all over it and you don’t want hate to be involved. Plagiarism brings out strong reactions in bloggers because we all get by on our WORDS that is what sells us, that is what defines us and to have one of our own faking her WORDS, passing off someone’s hard work as her own, well that just speaks of duplicity and laziness. Her intentions are made apparent, she cares not on what her readers think of her, but only of the publishers and authors that grace her with free books and advertising money.
I think the apology speaks volumes, in my estimation, but of course it is just my humble opinion. If I were falsely accused of plagiarism I would not have removed my posts.
I would have defended myself to the nth degree.
I would have not written some half-cocked apology that was half apology and half denial. Then come back later and claim that it was just fired off quickly with little thought behind it.
If the allegations were not true you stand up and you say they are not true — here are the original posts — you decide for yourself.
But that is me and I would hope that I am not a coward.
And I think that is what Kristi’s followers have to do with-out her assistance. They have to decide for themselves. Do you believe she did it? If so, will you still support her blog? Will you still read her posts, enter her giveaways? By supporting her as a reader, you are supporting her actions. Her advertisements make her money, they are directly proportionate to her page views. I think this is the best way to handle this situation, stop bickering amongst ourselves, calling each other bitches…because we’ve lost focus on the real issue. Turn your faces to the victims, whether you consider it to be Vahni, Fajr and Jamillah or Kristi – you support the victims and you snub the offender.
This is what I plan to do…
You snub the offender by not letting them be heard, you don’t read their blogs, you don’t enter their contests, you don’t follow them on twitter and you do not participate in their memes. You definitely do not click on their advertising or support their advertising or affiliate links. Without a platform that blogger goes from a media outlet, to a personal blogger.
Stand up for what you believe in people!
And that is my two cents.
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Very Well Put!
Thanks!
I had to say one more thing. Me being someone that also had my review copy and pasted by someone claiming as their own (by a kindergarten teacher), another review of mine copy and pasted on their blog (giving me credit but not asking for approval) had me sick and felt violated. This whole drama thing has caused those feelings to come back and left me with a sour stomach. And with everyone being so vicious (on both sides), that is the reason I stayed out of it and never spoke up or gave my opinion.
I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I’m sadder that these opinions have become bias based off of “who” the accused is…on both ends. It’s understandable that emotions are heightened because of that very reason, but I’m sad that the whole thing has become so nasty and it only makes us all (book review bloggers) look like crazy lunatics.
My hope is that people learn from this…and people will stop being so freakin’ nasty to each other.
Can’t we all just get along! Thank you for chiming in on this one — I appreciate it.
Ick. Mindy, I just cringed when I read that one of your reviews was copied by a kindergarten teacher, since I am also a kindergarten teacher. Even my six-year-olds know better than to copy each other’s work.
Yeah, her blog linked to her class blog that then linked to her school. I wasn’t the only one she did it to. Another blogger found her review lifted by her and then she checked her other reviews and they were all lifted. She only changed one or 2 words. So that other blogger contacted me.
Thank you for this. After spending half an hour going back and forth on different blogs and Twitter last night to figure out what the heck was going on, I was so irritated with the whole thing I had to just close all the tabs and do something else. And, after sleeping on it, I’ve become more irritated, not at what happened all those months ago, but with the blogging community.
Here we are, all of us book lovers and reviewers and friends, and THIS happens to someone pretty much all of us know (or know of), and a bunch of us decide to start a war. Yes, somebody did something that is not acceptable to people in this community. I get that. But did all these people have to go out there with torches and scream hateful things to each other? No. It was sickening. What it comes down to is this: we all have to make this decision ON OUR OWN without hurting others. If people want to keep following her, that’s their decision. If people want to unfollow her, that’s their decision.
And all these people choosing sides, how does it reflect on you? How will it reflect on your blog (if you have one)? How will publishers and authors view you? If you’re not handling yourself in a professional manner in regard to this situation (as you are, Rachel), people may not respect you and they may not want to follow you either.
I’m debating on writing a post about this. It’s just so crazy that one little thing (not that plagiarism is a little thing, but you know what I mean) has created such a huge mess in our community. At least it has taught people a lesson in how to handle themselves when they are confronted with being accused of plagiarism AND how to handle themselves as a fellow blogger.
Well it is because of her notoriety that this has blown up so much. It’s our blogger sex scandal or something…I know I’m freaking myself out. But, I think the very negative posts and name-calling will reflect badly on the blogs in question and the people that are firing back might find they lose followers themselves. It’s a shame –
And THIS is why you are one of my favorite bloggers! You put it very well, especially in that last paragraph.
Thank you so very much!
Dude.
So when all this shit (yes, I have to let fly) hit the fan yesterday, like you- I said I was TOTALLY staying out of it. In fact I promised the hubby I would not get involved… lol Then this morning as I’m perusing my Reader, my GAG REFLEX WAS WORKING IN FREAKING OVERDRIVE with all the “everyone is being so mean to Kristi” posts.
SERIOUSLY. What the F*CK?!
So I wrote a post…. hehe. It’s still sitting in my drafts folder… because I’m still on the fence about opening that can of bullshit. Bottom line- she was WRONG. How hard is it to LINK content from its source? Um. Its not. Do I think people on BOTH sides are getting carried away? Absolutely. Will I ever post an In My Mailbox post again? HELL NO!
Which reminds me… I need too change my button. I think I’ll title it… Brunette Book Boom or something less retarded. The title’s a work in progress!
I love it — Book Boom! With a nuclear explosion!
Oh I LOVE your vlogs, they’re friggin awesome!… *jumping on the book boom bandwagon* LOL!!
I consider you to be a big name book blogger in the community, but I’ve always favored you over Kristi. I dunno, she seems a bit fake to me. Can’t really judge her if I don’t know her personally. That’s unfair. But, I’m going by her perceived blogging image.
With you, there’s no question you’re the Real McCoy. This is how you appear to be. I appreciate that, Rachel!
Thank you Cathy — must be the paranormal in me
And thanks, I know I skew my image a bit — try to make myself a bit cooler – I’m really quite lame in real life. But, I do try to be real. jk
Very well said.
At first, I had no idea what was going on. And then once I found out, I didn’t want to believe it. I’d never heard of or read those other blogs before so I was inclined to believe Kristi. But then, like you did, I did the research, looked at the evidence, and then came to the conclusion so many other people have.
It’s sad that someone so prominent in the community and with so much going for them would ruin it with something like that. And to do that to someone else after speaking out against that very thing? I don’t understand the thinking.
You are also right in that the hate needs to stop. Bullying, even if it’s believed to be justified, is still bullying. And it’s wrong in any form. Instead of giving her the extra time, the extra effort, just stop altogether. Don’t read. Don’t comment. Don’t follow.
I like Bookish Brunettes idea in lieu of IMM. I’ll have to figure out something to call mine.
The only thing I keep on thinking, is laziness. It gets sooooo easy. So very easy to just write a review without really reading the book, just to get the publisher attention. It’s so very easy to just mock-up a post from what you’ve seen on another blog, so easy to just paste in promo copy instead of actually thinking about content…it’s sad really. But it’s soooo easy…
It’s also very easy to hate. Especially when people feel their trust has been broken. That old saying their is a fine line between love and hate, it’s true…a lot of people feel ripped off and lied to. I’m not advocating anyone’s decisions to bully, lie or be lazy, but I guess I can understand all around, I just can’t believe they are letting themselves succumb to it. That brunette broad has some good ideas every now and again, BTW.
oh my GOD! Can I just say I LOVE the name of your blog????? I have GOT to visit it!!
Wow, I must be out in LA LA land because I have no clue what you are talking about, LOL! Your comments, Rachel, have certainly piqued my interest in this discussion and I intend to look into it further. Thanks, as always for your honesty!
LA LA land or not on twitter — LOL. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.
I am so sick to my stomach. All I can say is Thank You!! You said everything that needs to be said!!! Everyone just needs to look at the facts and think for themselves. I’m glad I missed all the tweets… I’m too old for this crap
My pleasure, and thank you for commenting. I love twitter though — it’s like my big fat 5K clique.
Well, I wonder how would Kristi react if it is HER content that is being stolen.
Her minions would flock out through the blogosphere and zap them with their energy rays — I’m sorry it’s too early this morning for me to be commenting with political correctness…
I’m disappointed by The Story Siren’s actions because it really reflects poorly on our community, but I’m hoping that the personal attacks against her stop. I agree, take a stand by unfollowing bloggers that plagiarize, don’t participate in their memes and don’t continue to help them get attention. But fighting with supporters of Kristi, or her detractors, isn’t helping the situation. I’m glad it came to light because it’s always good to have important conversations about plagiarism on blogs, but I wish the community could do it without resorting to infighting.
It’s just one person — just the YA community has been through so much, the bickering has already affected how pubs approach blogs, I have a feeling this might impact it even more.
It’s hard to hold your tongue when someone comes at your with their claws out, so I just keep on telling people, this is my opinion, I respect yours, so please don’t attack just because we disagree…sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. People are passionate about their beliefs.
What bothers me the most is the hate mail that the fashion bloggers are supposedly getting. How horrible that must be! Here you are, having been plagiarized and then a bunch of supporters of the offending blog are sending you hate mail. Despicable. And those people should be ashamed of themselves. Well anyone that sends hate mail should be ashamed of themselves… and they really need to watch out, because I know LA now has cyberbully laws –
I think for me. I only go to Story Siren for the IMM. Now am thinking that I will not do it. I called my IMM the Goodie Bag. People seem to really like it. It’s the day when I get a lot of traffic.
I’ve met her in person and I can tell you she wasn’t very nice to me or some of my friends who were lesser known bloggers at the time. Acted like she was the head of some elite crowd.
You always take the time to give me advice or tell me something that I may have been wrong about. Anytime someone does this it hurts the community as a whole. I remember when I got plagarized. It hurt a lot. I was so angry at the time.
At one point I got off Twitter, because it got downright twistingly disturbing. I will not go to Story Siren’s site or do her meme. Maybe something better will come out to replace IMM.
I felt that you’re BB #101 posts are so informative. I always learn something new and fun. You seem to be genuine, do your homework and research. They are very original.
Also Sarah Wendell and Jane Little didn’t cause the scandal to happen. They happen to research the issue and reached a logical conclusion. I thought they did a good job and used facts to back up the article they wrote. They used the facts they had uncovered and are not libel.
Kristi, did this to herself. She needs to man up or women up for what she did. You do something, take responsibility and don’t make up excuses.
Grace, my sweets, I’ve heard a few stories about similar treatment at BEA — in fact wasn’t their like a small twitter fiasco — LOL?? Oh well, look it is VERY easy to let things go to your head, especially running a larger blog. I never much cared for people that think they are better than others, just because of some abstract line in the sand that has them on one side and everyone else on the other. I can also understand that people might be shy or overwhelmed and gives them the appearance of being snobby or unaware. I always give people the benefit of the doubt but as the information piles up it just makes me shake my head in wonder. Because you know what. We were all that little blog. That blog with one follower that was just me clicking the follower button so it wouldn’t say 0.
Oh well I’m rambling — I congratulate Sarah and Jane on their balls to stand up for what they believe in. If they are getting flak for their posts, what do they care. Sarah was sitting on panels with authors at RT while Kristi was just another one in a seat looking on — talk about lines in the sand…
Eloquently put, Rachel! There has been such a shitstorm over all this, it’s incredible. I’d never been to Kristi’s blog before, and now I never will. It’s a real shame that she decided to do something she claimed to be so set against. Stealing is wrong any way you look at it, whether it’s a physical item, money, or intellectual property. It’s a violation of the person being stolen from, and it feels very personal. She would be extremely upset if it had happened to her.
That being said, the attacks that are going on are childish and unnecessary. General bitching on blogs and tweets doesn’t bother me one bit. Blog posts on the situation are perfectly acceptable but the abusive tweets and comments are useless and only make her defenders more aggravated. Money talks so hit her where it will hurt, the wallet. You said it perfectly: avoid her blog, don’t click on her links, and don’t put any more money in her bank account.
Well, it’s a YA blog — so most of the adult themed blogs didn’t even know who she was. The whole hypocrisy of the plagiarism post probably being plagiarized is what is most likely fueling the issue.
Nobody should send out abusive tweets at all — do people not realize that it is going into the Google Archive forever… something said in the heat of the moment will NEVER go away. Have some tact, some self-control and think before you tweet. Gah — you would think it would be common sense.
Yup, when the pageviews go LOW the perks go away —
Ok I am back to weigh again. I have visited the bloggers she abused and am appalled at the backlash. They back up their claims. What she did is disgusting and I read several of her posts that she lifted from these ladies. Luckily,my enthusiasm for her site died months ago, the poor reviews for one, and I know I am in the minority but I find the IMM meme irritating, now more than ever since she is saying her actions were motivated by her desire to please publishers and ultimately get her access to free books. Deep breath…and here is why I complain…I don’t like the meme because every week she is on the blog showing off these books and encouraging others to do the same and then what? Displaying them on a shelf to show off your gluttony, especially when in reality only a fraction of those books will be read. Do something good with them make a difference, share them, give them to underprivelaged kids and help under funded libraries instead of plagerizing to get books to put on a shelf. Books are at their best when they are being read, not collecting dust on shelves.
Anyway, I fully agree with you Rachel, I will not in any way show support to a blogger who refuses to step up and make a full confession on exactly what she plagerized. Until that happens, I cannot appreciate her voice in the blogging community.
Amen sister. I always thought the IMM meme was a way to show off the books that you might not get to review. Give them a place on your blog because, frankly you can’t read them all. I stopped doing the meme probably a year ago — mainly because I felt like I was just showing off, especially when I started getting the ‘Hotter’ books in. It is what it is — my books sit on my shelf even though I don’t know when I’ll be able to read them. I can’t bear to give away a book that I haven’t read yet. It’s a shame — but I do give away the books I’ve read (except the signed copies).
Hi Rachel,
I shared your post on Escape In A Book’s FB page and Twitter, it was that good
This is the first thing I’ve heard about this drama and it’s made me very sad. Something is just not right with this situation and I will give my support to the side that I feel are the victims in this case. I will not support plagarizm and I have removed the DAC button from my blog. I do not do IMM and I’ve unfollowed TSS some time ago, only sporadic visits there, those are going to end now.
Oh man, I forgot about the DAC! And that was one of my favorite challenges…I can’t, in good conscience, support it though.
I’ll be removing it from mine, too.
Thanks Mari — that is where all my Northern Euro hits came from
I’m glad you are standing your ground.
I agree 100% with what you have said. I know I for one am no longer participating in her memes or reading any of her content. Her behaviour was just disgusting. Her attitude is simply about getting free things and she doesn’t at all seem apologetic for what she has done
I think the worst part are the original 3 authors of those posts have been bullied by sooo many book bloggers, it gives us a bad name, and those three women have every right to be upset it was their hard work being stolen
I do not read Kristi’s blog because I have never felt a connection to her and always felt like she blew me off whenever I tried to talk to her on Twitter. At any rate, I feel that it makes no sense to make an opinion without looking at the facts of the situation. Who wrote what they wrote first? Who knows Kristi’s voice well enough to know if it sounds like her voice in those posts? I hope that she did not plagiarize, and that if she did not, that this will be resolved so that she does not lose any readers.
Ugh… this whole drama just makes me sad and TIRED. Thanks for weighing in, Rachel… I think you’re as influential as Kristi, and your opinion on the matter is valuable… it’s just… yeah. BOTH apologies seemed kind of halfcocked. If she didn’t do it, she would have said ‘I DID NOT DO IT.’ She admits to it… she just admits to it in a roundabout way, to try and save some face.
Honestly? I don’t really… I mean, the drama is the drama. I don’t have a strong opinion on it other than PLAGIARISM IS WRONG.
My only thing is bullying… it’s not cool. And name calling, whether it’s directed at Kristi, directed at people who support her, directed at the girls who were plagiarised and did a KICKASS job detectivising (hehe) is WRONG. THIS is what makes me sad.
Oh gawd, just read Book Lantern’s post… I’m alarmed… Thanks SO much for this post, Rachel. You’re a rockstar <3
Err, uh… I am SO sorry. I didn’t mean to imply for a MINUTE that you were bullying. You are SO not. We NEEDED this post, especially from someone like you, who we all respect. I just meant, well, there *has* been bullying, and it’s uncool. Plagiarism = FAIL, but I’ll defend anyone who’s being bullied. Not their actions, mind, but their right not to be bullied, if you know what I mean?
Not to say that what Sarah from SB or Jane from DA have done is bullying. There’s a BIG difference between bullying and firmly applied pressure to do the right thing. But there HAVE been people name-calling and bullying, and that’s different.
I explained the whole situation to my husband this morning and he was like a dissaproving parent
You know what? He said the EXACT same thing as you: ‘well, she’s the one that’s going to suffer. No-one’ll visit her blog, publishers won’t send her books, and she’ll lose her advertising revenue. Everyone should just ignore her and move on.’
The thing that gets me, and that her supporters have to stop and remember is that while yes, she’s human, and she made one BIG ‘mistake’ (note I’m not saying ‘accident’
), plagiarism is a crime. It’s illegal, no? In Australia, intellectual property and content is automatically protected from the moment of its creation. If you plagiarise someone elses intellectual property, you’re committing copyright infringement, ergo, crime.
A great post PJ!
I’m not a blogger (anymore) but I read a lot of blogs, and I trust in peoples reviews and thoughts. I go and buy books because I believe in the review I’ve read. What TSS did makes me doubt everything she has on her blog, and makes me question myself for believing her.
I can’t understand why some people can’t see what’s happened here. She stole, then lied about it, then was presented with evidence then tried to cover it up with more lies. Her statements on her blog that she calls an apology and clarification, WTF is that! She’s polished over everything, and still has not admitted what she has done, and still she is missleading people. It’s all very sad.
As for the people who will continue to follow her blog, that is a mind fuck to me!.. (excuse my language) I suppose this will all be brushed under her egotistical carpet, was a most awesome and fabulous giveaway HA!
Hey Rachel!
I actually visit your blog regularly (although I’m more of an invisible reader), but I had to say my word on this whole TSS issue. I only came to know what really happened a few hours ago and I’m truly alarmed.
What really bugs me in this whole thing is that it took her almost 3 months to apologize. That’s a really long time in my book. Somehow, I feel that if she had done it earlier, it would have felt more honest and sincere.
I only recently started my blog and obtaining followers in the first few weeks was really tough. I think until I participated in the IMM meme I didn’t have any followers. So, in a way, her meme along with yours and Alison’s and Jill’s have helped generate the 150 followers that I have. Plus, as Alison mentioned above, I’m sure that most people get a whole lot of traffic from this meme.
Honestly, right now, I’m disappointed that I won’t be participating in IMM because I openly admit I love followers, but I feel that all the evidence that has been brought about is against her. Seeing that someone new has followed or commented on my blog makes me feel really special and happy. I have also have no doubt that, like me, book bloggers would love to receive ARCS (although, in my case, it’s pretty impossible because I live in Mauritius). Right now, I’m just blogging to spread my love for books and because I have nothing to do (I’m done with school and waiting for college to begin in August!) Blogging has become a hobby of mine and seeing things like this happen only saddens me. I only hope that TSS’s actions don’t affect the entire blogging community.
Rachel, thanks for being so open-minded in your blog post. I’m really glad that you actually wrote the post with an open mind-set and did not rant. You just became my blogging hero
You rock, chick !
I just realized how long my comment was. :S
Sorry, Rachel :/
Oh and sorry for ranting off about my life
I sometimes talk way too much. 
I actually stopped by your blog to see what you would have to say because I know you have strong opinions (in a good way) so i was curious. You are absolutely right that instead of everyone attacking one another people should step back and make their own decision. You can continue to be a part of her site or not.
Back when I first started blogging a “friend” of mine from a trading website I was part of plaigerized one of my book reviews and I never said or did anything about it and it still bothers me to this day. I wish I had the courage to confront her.
I feel exactly the same way. I can’t in all honesty say that I could ever visit Kristi’s blog again or participate in anything she hosts because I would feel like a thief myself. I feel that the only thing she’s sorry about is getting caught and that just hurts even more because I really looked up to her. Like you, I have made my decision about what to do, and you will definitely not see me on Twitter or anywhere else calling her names or insulting anyone. That kind of behavior was uncalled for. I’m glad to see this post from you because I’ve seen other popular book bloggers support her actions and that has really puzzled me.
Very well said!
Plagiarism is theft plain and simple. There is no such thing as accidentally posting something originally posted on another blog.
The Story Siren has lost all credibility. Nothing she posts can be seen as trustworthy and she is not worthy of our continued patronage.
Very nicely said! I can’t believe people are still trying to defend her when the evidence pretty blatantly proves she did it and she kept it quiet for months. If she had just been honest from the beginning, I don’t know if things would have escalated to this point. It just proves that honesty is the best policy.
YAY for me being clueless!
When I first started blogging, I had no idea how memes worked. I posted my first IMM with no mention of The Story Siren and was so verbally attacked that I didn’t attempt it again until this year. Almost THREE years after I had started blogging! I was so hurt by her followers aggression towards me that I almost stopped blogging until a nice bloggy friend told me to stick with it and helped me work things out. I mean there were some really hurtful things said to me both in comments and emails accusing me of stealing. I wasn’t, I was just clueless. I only participate in one other meme (WOW) since I was invited by Jill who started that one. Mind you, your Blogging 101 posts did not exist at that time, Rachel. Not one of those comments explained what I did wrong and there wasn’t one nice person to explain to me how memes worked. Only attacks. I don’t read reviews anywhere until I post my own review on books. It is funny though when I have exactly the same thought as another blogger and it usually happens when we have similar tastes in books.
OMG! That’s just crazy! I don’t like it when people jump to conclusions and assume, especially when someone is early at blogging. It’s not like there is an official manuel for everyone to pass around and look through with do’s and don’ts. *sigh* hopefully overtime things will catch up to some bloggers who badger and attack another blogger without thinking before hitting ‘reply’ on twitter.
Exactly and Thank YOU Rhiannon!
THANK YOU Rachel for your 101 posts. I send any new blogger here that has questions since they are pretty much covered.
I think the whole TSS thing could have been avoided if she would have originally linked back to the articles where she got her information. It could have just been: “for more information, check out these posts” and list her sources. Crisis averted. Doing a quick search, more than one site had the same information available BEFORE the original blogger had posted and there was nothing ground breaking in their post. It was just unfortunate that TSS copied their words and didn’t use her own.
Well said, Rachel. We have to stop with the name calling and bickering between ourselves. That doesn’t help anyone or our blogging community. I asked to have the bickering to stop and the name calling and was in turn called names. You are right…that takes away from the focus of the whole thing! We should have civil conversation about plagiarizing. Not throw words back and forth at each other. Words hurt — whether you take them from someone else to pass off as your own or use them as insults.
With that being said, The Story Siren was wrong to lift people’s content. The evidence is clear. From this debacle, I did learn how to better protect myself through tracking software. As for TSS, I only visited the site for IMM. Now, I won’t be doing that. I’ll create my own or follow someone who doesn’t lift content. I think there’s something similar to IMM on Mondays?
“My biggest worry was the authors and publishers that I host.”
IE: Like OMG Dont stop sending me a gabillion ARCS!
I adored your post PJ. I have benefited from your Blogging How To’s so much. Thank you. And to be quite honest I HAVE NEVER liked IMM’s. Period.
A good list of upcoming releases will suffice. Thank YOU very much.
I’m sorry but followers and readers made the publishers and authors send you the crap to begin with, FOLLOWERS MADE YOU- NOT PUBLISHERS OR AUTHORS!
I was so completely & utterly shocked by this scandal (as well as quite saddened & disappointed)..
A great post Rachel! perfectly written and I couldn’t agree more with what you say.
x Sharon
First of all, Thank you for being level-headed. I know a lot of bloggers also look up to you, and to see you address this issue with maturity is a positive point for the book blogging community.
But with the plagiarism topic on the forefront of everyone’s mind (and blog and twitter), it raised a question that maybe you know the answer to?
Posting images from other sites on your blog…I follow many blogs that use images (and I use them too), but it has got me thinking…am I also plagirizing when I post an image of something cool and bookish I find via Google Image Search? I am relatively new to the blogging world and don’t really know if there are rules/laws that okay the use of posting an image on your blog or if you have to email every website you borrow from. Do you know by chance?
I just don’t want to be doing something horrible in ignorance… =\
Good question and I figured till she gets around to answering, I would drop this link down for you to check out about plagiarism and such things you are asking: http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_plagiarism_and_the_internet.html
Actually this blog article is just as good: http://jmcolberg.com/weblog/extended/archives/photography_copyright_and_plagiarism/
Hi Rach,
I cannot get this stupid incident out of my head and at around midnight last night I figured out why the situation ticks me right off. If Kristi were being paid to write reviews, as in a professional, (which we all want to be treated as but because of crap like these we are not) she would be fired. She would have legal issues. But because she is a blogger no big deal. She gets to keep on blogging and doing what she does. She may never do it again who knows, maybe she didn’t do it, but because of situations like these book bloggers get a bad name. I feel so badly for the people (like you) that have been victims of plagerism. I also don’t understand how someone “accdentily” highlights, copies and paste something to their blog and then passes it off as something they did. Its a choice not an accident. I guess it comes down to accountability.
That being said, I appreciate your BB101 today – their is no book blog police to make people accountable for their actions. We have to do this ourselves by doing as you suggested, boycotting. Obviously, there are people out there that don’t understand ethics and boundries; who is to say those people won’t contact another bloggers advertisements just out of spite and jealousy? As I said before it just comes down to integrity huh? Thanks for letting us spout off on your post.
Jen
*tackle hugs you* Can we make YOU the new Blogger Queen Bee? LOL
I agreed with every word of it as well as this one. You said what needed to be said and you did it honestly and diplomatically. Without going into the drama, I will say that I was not a fan of hers before and I’ve lost what respect I did have for her now. Not just because of what she did but because of how it was handled. In my opinion, she handled it poorly and the whole thing was mismanaged!
I’m following your lead. The only real way to hurt a blogger is not to talk smack about her, but to hit her where it hurts…in ratings and page views. She’s going to have supporters no matter what and that’s their prerogative, but as for me, I don’t feel the need to support her viewership.
Disregard the first line of this comment…I started this on another post, moved it to this post and then forgot to edit the first line. I swear, I’m not crazy! lol
Just wanted to thank you for taking a stand, for providing all the facts to those of us who didn’t know and didn’t understand what was going on, and for encouraging everyone to do what is right by making their own decisions.
When I first started blogging you, The Book Rat, Literary Exploration and The Story Siren were the first blogs that I had come across. Talk about a wonderful mix of personalities, lol! I was so happy to have found all of these wonderful blogs to stalk and draw inspiration from. It saddens me to lose one, but there are so many other wonderful blogs/people out there, I’m sure I won’t even miss it!
Excellent perspective Rach. I think it’s easy for folks to lose perspective between all the bickering and whatnot. I agree, the proof speaks for itself. Thank you for speaking up on this!
I appreciate the stance that you have taken. I think this is a great post and you make some really valid points. I’m just curious about your thoughts on authors and publishers. Do you think they should expose their brand on a blog that plagiarized other people’s content? How should that all be handled? Will they continue to do to The Story Siren as an outlet to promote their titles, etc. If so, then what does that say?
You can read my thoughts on the subject here: http://darkfaerietales.com/drama-double-standards-deceptiona-bloggers-plagiarism-manifesto.html
People should definitely remember that bulling doesn’t do anything good. Boycotting is the key!
OMG… some people stole your name?
I almost did that once, although I didn’t know it was used before. I wanted my blog tob e named LOST IN BOOKS…. but then, I googled it to see if other people had that name, and it turned out that yes, there was a blog with that name And, even though the blogger behind the blog hadn’t posted for months, I didn’t take it. And, I like FOREVER LOST IN BOOKS better, now that I think of it. ANd so, anyone who says ‘ I didn’t know there was a (blog name) out there when I created my blog’. I mean, Google it!
And, on The Sotry Siren’s topic… at first I was with her… but I am not anymore. Because, her apologies weren’t even apologies, in my opinion. And, people who say that she, at least, apologized… I mean, come on! I apologized when I was little, and sometimes I didn’t mean it. I am not saying she’s that bad of a person, but, in my book, what she did tainted my view of her. I won’t be entering her giveaway anymore, either.
Great post, Rachel.
Rachel,
I always enjoy coming to your blog and reading your opinion on matters. You say what you have to say so professionally and honestly. I agree with everything you said in your post…of course, I’m one of those “if you don’t like it, don’t do it” type people. I won’t make decisions for others, only myself.
When people feed the fire, so to speak, it ends up giving the person in the wrong much more publicity than they deserve. Sure people make mistakes, and I’ve made plenty, but, in my opinion, you take full responsibility for your actions and do what you can to make things right from the get go. And you’re right, if I didn’t do what I was being accused of…I would defend every word I wrote with a passion like no other.
This is a really great post on this terrible subject. Thank you for being professional and advocating against the name calling and general cattiness. Sometimes people need reminded that there are better ways to accomplish a task.
~Krisitn
This is really disappointing because I’ve always liked the Story Siren and participated in several of her memes. Why keep a blog if you don’t want to write in your own voice? It doesn’t make any sense to me. Blogging is an outlet for writing what we want to write, when we want to write it – without having to answer to editors. Perhaps it’s time for her to find a new hobby.
I really didn’t want to get tangled in all this, but after what Rachel @Fiktshun went through (and now knowing you did too…)
I felt strongly as well…I really do care for her as a friend and as a blogger so I commented on The Story Siren’s second try for an ‘apology’ I thought I’d be doing the IMM because I thought really really thought that it was her only original idea but then…I was approached and was told otherwise, the thing is I couldn’t agree more with all your post. And yeap, I won’t be participating in another meme hosted by her…
I’m sorry to hear this happened to you too though. And I really wished that our community would make decisions based on facts and integrity and not in any…other things.
Well said Rachel XD I’ve got to keep my eye on you now…you seem to rock…too much to be true *_____* I really think there’s something about the Rachel name that has to do with awesomeness….so beware of me…I can be a fierce stalker, I mean follower
ps. Can I use that Xplagiarism button you have in this post??? I’d like to have it on my sidebar
Thank you so much for the support, the plagiarism button should be on the website it links back to — that you can just grab.
Rachel (Fiktshun) is made of awesome and I’m proud to share a name with her — I look forward to your stalkings and I just might have to stalk back.
-gasps- OH MY GOD! you sopped by my blog I’ll have a heart attack now, excuse me.
Whatever chick – LOL. You have a great blog.
lol thank you
And thanks for stopping by 
Wow, I don’t know how I am just finding out about this now………
Very well said. At first, before I uncovered the whole truth through investigating, I wondered what the big deal was – but that was going by some angry Tweets that didn’t explain, just called each other names. I also read her first apology and was very confused, but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt as I had NO CLUE what her crime was. THEN I found out what really happened, read everyone’s posts and then posts made by third parties about what she’d done and made the only decision that I felt was right – I stopped following her everywhere and won’t be participating in any of her giveaways or even visiting her blog.
I did see there’s a new meme entitled Showcase Sunday by the lovely Danny at http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/posts/showcase-sunday-1/