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In my previous blog, I discussed the woes of Kaavya Viswanathan, Harvard sophomore and teen author of the novel How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life, which bore numerous passages that were similar to Megan McCafferty's novels Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings. Viswanathan has come forward with a statement of apology, which McCafferty's publisher is not accepting.

In her apology regarding the more than 40 passages in question, she acknowledged the similarities between how own novel and McCafferty's but insisted that it was unintentional and that she didn't realize how much of McCafferty's work she had "internalized" and revisions will be made.

Internalized? Maybe one or two passages might be believable, but 40? So we're to believe she inadvertently memorized someone else's work, and it accidentally made it's way into her novel? Now, mind you, I'm trying to be open-minded here, but it's looking more like she's lying to avoid whatever consequences follow. Apparently, McCafferty's publisher Crown, a division of Random House, isn't buying it either, calling it an act of “literary identity theft.�

Now, other than the obvious fact that literary crimes will come back to haunt you, there is probably another lesson for writers here. Assuming this was unintentional for a moment, this would be a good argument for joining a writing group, preferably one that focuses on your particular genre. Somebody in the group would probably recognize a favorite author's writing.

Unfortunately, I'm not convinced that this is unintentional, not with that many similarities. It's looking more likely that legal action might be taken unless the two publishers can settle on a resolution that will satisfy both parties.

Posted in apology | author | Kaavya Viswanathan | Megan McCafferty | plagiarism Musings of a Wordsmith | | | | 287 reads