In a shocking revelation reported by the New York Times1, featured debut novelist Cait Corrain lost her book deal after resorting to creating fake Goodreads accounts to disparage fellow non-white writers. While the incident is alarming, it sheds light on the prevalence of sketchy and fraudulent practices within the book publishing industry, where success is hard won, and marketing remains a challenging aspect for many authors.
While there are numerous strategies and shortcuts to gain a competitive edge, creating fake accounts to post negative reviews of competitors while boosting one’s own book reviews is a line that should never be crossed. Even more disturbing is the fact that Corrain targeted members of the BIPOC community. In an industry where people of color already face significant challenges, this act adds yet another layer of adversity. The most disheartening aspect is that Corrain attributed her actions to mental health issues.
I will not debate whether mental health is to blame, but I will say that the case of author Cait Corrain serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical practices and honesty for published authors. The incident highlights several key takeaways:
- Integrity and Professionalism: Authors are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Engaging in deceptive practices, such as creating fake accounts to manipulate reviews, undermines the trust of readers, publishers, and the literary community as a whole.
- Respect for Peers: Respect for fellow authors, regardless of their background, is essential. Unfairly targeting and undermining the work of other writers, especially on the basis of their race or ethnicity, is not only unethical but also perpetuates harmful biases and discrimination.
- Consequences of Unethical Behavior: Corrain’s experience demonstrates that unethical behavior can have serious consequences, including the loss of publishing opportunities and damage to one’s professional reputation. Authors must be mindful of the potential fallout from engaging in dishonest or malicious actions.
- Personal Accountability and Seeking Help: While Corrain cited personal struggles as contributing factors to her actions, it is important for authors to take personal accountability for their behavior and seek help when facing challenges. Open and honest communication, as well as seeking support for mental health and addiction issues, are crucial.
The case of author Cait Corrain underscores how imperative it is for authors to uphold ethical conduct, show respect for their peers, and recognize the ramifications of dishonesty and unfair practices in the publishing industry. These principles are fundamental to maintaining trust and credibility as a published author. Unethical practices can significantly impact an author’s career in several ways, from the loss of credibility to legal repercussions.
I would like to extend a HUGE congratulations to New York Times bestselling author Xiray Jay Zhao who not only exposed this scandal but released 31 pages of receipts in a publicly available Google Doc. You can click here to check out the New York Times article for the link & receive more information that I did not cover in this article.
Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services®
Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine™
Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Film Producer
1New York Post. (2023, December 12). Author loses book deal after creating fake Goodreads accounts to slam rival non-white writers. https://nypost.com/2023/12/12/news/author-apologizes-after-creating-fake-goodreads-accounts-to-slam-rival-non-white-writers