I wrote this article about authors behaving badly to help you avoid becoming one. It’s about several writers whose unusual antics got them into hot (make that boiling) water with the publishing industry (including literary agents), the media, and their fans.
Even if you’re 100% straight-laced, you’ll benefit from—and enjoy—this article. Okay, maybe “enjoy” isn’t the right word, since these authors behaving badly were involved in literary train wrecks. But, at the very least, you’ll find their stories fascinating. They’ll validate your decision to do things differently. And, you’ll experience that guilt-inducing sense of relief that comes with not being part of the carnage.
Authors Behaving Badly
Most authors know it often isn’t easy to capture the attention of top literary agents, publishers, and readers—even if you’re talented and you’ve paid your dues. The problem is that, as a result, some authors conjure up “too creative” ways to get noticed. Ways that get them in trouble. Sometimes, their methods are unethical and/or even illegal. Although the shortsighted grab for glory sometimes works, it’s often short-lived and the authors’ careers are destroyed or severely damaged in the end.
Book karma can be a beast.
Most authors understand that one of the basic tenets of great writing is telling the truth; but that doesn’t mean those authors always tell the truth (in their writing, or their lives). Part of me understands why that might be difficult. Especially if you’re a fiction author. After all, as a fiction author, it’s your job to make stuff up. And, if you’re a published fiction author, you’re essentially getting paid to tell lies. If you’re an unpublished author (any genre), and you’re desperate enough, you might be tempted to make things up as well. Things that make you and/or your writing sound more interesting. Or, you might manipulate the truth until it becomes (well) no longer the truth.
Not a good idea…
We’ve all told lies in our lives. That’s a fact. If you don’t think you’ve ever told a lie, you’re lying to yourself. We’ve all done it. Told lies. There are those “little” white lies, lies of omission, and big fat whoppers. Those “less offensive” fibs we convince ourselves are okay because we only say them to “protect someone” or “for the greater good” also count. Other times, we console ourselves with the fact we’re just bending the truth, not breaking it. Whatever. I’m not going all the way down that philosophical-spiritual rabbit hole with you in this article. I just want to make sure you don’t put something in your book or pitch materials that gets you in trouble.
Or destroys your writing career.
So, here we go…
Examples of Authors Behaving Badly
Authors behaving badly can compromise basic ethics or common sense in many ways; this article focuses on three of them. They might seem obvious (at least I hope so); but, even if they are obvious and you’d never do them, the stories that go with them are worth reading.
Gaming the System – Authors Behaving Badly
Most authors behaving badly don’t have the insight or ability required to “game the system” to improve their position or advance their publishing careers. Some do. But that doesn’t mean they should. One of the most recent instances of this involves Lani Sarem, whose book Handbook for Mortals was slated to appear on the New York Times young adult hardcover bestseller list, but was then abruptly removed. The author allegedly identified some of the bookstores that report their sales to the New York Times, which helps determine which books appear on the NYT bestseller list. Sarem then (again, allegedly) had people on her team make bulk purchases of her book at those stores.
Even if it’s true, it’s not illegal.
But…
Was it worth it? They say all publicity is good publicity. I’m not so sure. I think we can sometimes be too clever for our own good. No one wants to believe you did something shady to gain an unfair advantage over others. So, when you’re contemplating a “creative strategy” to help increase your odds of getting what you want with agents, publishers, and/or readers, don’t just ask yourself if it’s legal. Ask yourself if you’d be okay with (or embarrassed by) the world knowing you did it. That’s a higher standard, one that’s more likely to help you make good decisions. To learn more about the Sarem story, click here to see a full-length article at Huffington Post.
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Misrepresentation – Authors Behaving Badly
This is the category with the most authors behaving badly. As someone who’ve been involved with marketing most of his life (as a former literary agent, former Marketing & Licensing Manager for a well-known publisher, and, now, as an author coach) I know how important positioning is. How you present yourself and the people, products and/or services you represent is critical to your survival—and success. So, it’s natural (and smart) to look for every possible opportunity and angle to get people’s attention. But there are also things you simply can’t do; or, I should say, there are things you simply shouldn’t do.
Lying and twisting or perverting the truth is one of them.
Don’t get me wrong. More than most, I appreciate the art of finesse and nuance when it comes to words. That’s one of the things that makes writing so powerful and—for many, such as myself—so enjoyable. You can express a single idea or sentiment many ways, with different shades of emphasis, to achieve slightly different, or significantly different, effects and outcomes. After all, that’s what makes an irresistible query letter and/or book proposal… understanding all your options when choosing your words and crafting your pitch.
It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.
But…
Please think twice before you say things that aren’t true, or your stretch the truth so far that it no longer resembles the truth. Accentuating the positive, making the most of what you have, and putting your best foot forward is one thing. I’m all for that. You can, and should, milk what you have for all it’s worth. 100%. Just make sure you’re clear regarding the difference between market-ing and ly-ing. Clear and confident self-promotion is expected and appropriate–and often required. False statements and puffery are not.
Don’t say things that could come back to haunt you.
The most recent controversy I’ve seen in this area happened just this week, with author John Smelcer. His novel Stealing Indians was named as a finalist for the PEN Center USA prize. Now, everything about the author is being questioned. Smelcer has been accused of lying about his education, credentials, and heritage. Click here to see an article about the whole brouhaha here at the LA Times. I don’t know if Smelcer lied or not (people are often too quick to rush to judgment), but I see stories like this in the media too often. Well-known people (not just authors) falling from grace because they made up or embellished parts of their background.
Don’t do it…
Don’t make things up in your books, either—unless you’re writing fiction. The most infamous nonfiction (memoir) author I know of who did this is James Frey. His book, A Million Little Pieces, appeared on, and remained on, the New York Times bestseller list, after Oprah cried about his book (in a good way) on national television. It later came out that parts of his “real-life” story were partially, and, in other instances, completely, bogus. If you’re not familiar with Frey’s account, Google his name and “The Smoking Gun.”
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Plagiarism – Authors Behaving Badly
Although I understand (but don’t endorse) authors behaving badly by misrepresenting themselves or trying to game the system, I can’t at all comprehend authors plagiarizing. I mean, if you copy another authors’ writing, don’t you think, at some point, someone’s going to figure it out? Forget ethics and morality for a minute. It’s just plain stupid. After all, if you’re a writer, your target market or target audience is readers. So, it’s pretty likely (don’t you think?) that someone, at some point, is going to connect the dots and realize that phrase, paragraph, scene, chapter, or entire book of yours… well… isn’t yours?
I’ve seen articles about plagiarism pop up consistently, and increasingly, every year for quite some time. There’s an uptick of authors behaving badly in this way because the Internet makes it easier to find and copy content; and the glut of self-publishing options makes it super easy to slap your name on someone else’s work and start selling it online. Clearly not a good idea. I’m not sure what you’d say in court if you were an offender in this category to attempt to defend yourself. Probably best to go to the courtroom with a contrite heart and a big fat apology–and, of course, your checkbook to pay for damages.
Laura Harner is just one of many authors who’ve been caught. One of her books was revealed to be almost identical to another novel by a New York Times bestseller, Becky McGraw. Again, I don’t understand how an author could begin to think he or she would get away with something like copying someone’s entire book (or even part of it); but, obviously, some authors are desperate and/or stupid enough to give it shot. Then it backfires. Duh. Click here to see a great article about plagiarism at The Atlantic. And you can click here to see an article about the Laura Harner and Becky McGraw story at The Guardian.
Related Posts
Three other articles you might find helpful:
Authors – Protect your Writing
Nondisclosure Agreements or NDAs
Authors Behaving Badly – Share It / Post a Comment
What are your favorite examples of authors behaving badly? Okay, maybe “favorite” isn’t the best word. I should have said, “What are the most interesting and/or shocking examples you’ve seen of authors behaving badly?” Let me know, using the comment form below. And, of course, please share this article with other authors who might enjoy it or benefit from it–especially those who fall into the “authors behaving badly” category.
Lastly, stick to the truth in your writing and pitch materials. If you can’t convince yourself and/or others that who you are what you offer is good enough, don’t give up or start twisting the truth. Get someone to help you make yourself and your work sound more appealing. Click here to learn how you can get 1-on-1 feedback to improve your pitch material and/or writing during an Introductory Coaching Call.
You can also click here (no charge) to see The 50 Questions Authors Ask Most (along with my answers). You can click here to see my Guide to Literary Agents. And, you can click here to see some of my best tips to help you Find a Literary Agent and/or Get a Literary Agent.
All my best,
– Mark
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MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
More like Distributor Gone Badly…A good friend and I self-published ASSASSINATIONS: The World’s Clandestine Killer Elite. He has since passed but recently UK book distributor Langton_distribution /langton_distribution storefront now has my book listed, without my permission. Their only defense might be they are Amazon’s distributing arm in the UK. Unlikely, I went to Amazon and Kindle and don’t have any satisfaction yet. I’ve never heard of anything like this. Royalties were less than $100/yr.
Sorry to hear that PM… hopefully you’re able to resolve it.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Great article as a new author I am learning a lot
Thank you Rosalyn, you just made my day. Glad to hear it, and have a great weekend!
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Question: In one of my stories I referenced Ralph Naders book.”Unsafe at any Speed” which I felt treated The Cheverlet Corvair shamefully and brought about its demise. Could this in any way be deemed ” behaving badly”?
Hi Paul… I don’t know about that… since you should be able to express your opinion… and… if your opinions are well informed and well though out… which I’m sure they are… that’s a good start. Talking to a lawyer in some instances is also a good idea… when in doubt… some of my clients have done that… especially when writing a memoir that talks badly about someone in their personal life.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
mark, doesn’t all these examples of abb, simply be common sense. If it seems wrong ethically or morally don’t do it. Thank you.
Hi Paul, good point and it is that simple… to you and me… but clearly not everyone. 😉
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hello Mark, Thank you very much for the articles. I am a new author and to be honest even though I read through your 17 steps to find an agent and do the query I hope I didn’t do something bad just from ignorance of what the correct process is. I sent a query out but I am concerned. Anyway, I am grateful for the articles. If I had the money I would do your one on one program to help me but quite honestly I don’t so every bit that you can tell like these articles helps a great deal. Thanks again.
Thank you Connie, much appreciated… and all you can do is your best. Plenty of authors get agents without my help and/or just using the no-cost information on my websites… so… since that’s all you can do… make the most of it… be persistent… and post any good news for me… as I’d love to celebrate with you.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I guess I behaved badly a long time ago, when an agent offered to represent my first novel but objected to an epilogue that I considered essential. When I refused to comply, she dropped me.
Her point was that most readers dislike epilogues and tend to stop reading as soon as “the action” is over. I’m still dealing with a similar situation in my second novel. There are probably ways to shift “aftermath” revelations around, in order to end the book with a bang. I should have conceded that.
Hi David, in that case… it’s not about behaving badly… or not… as you simply did what you thought/felt was right at the time. That’s all any of us can do… so don’t beat yourself up about it… but… going forward… in retrospect… if you can now say that you would have done things differently… you can obviously do things a little differently going forward… and you might be able to go back to that agent… and say that you think/feel you made a mistake. Nothing to lose. I know you’ve probably considered all this already… but I wanted to say something and thank you for posting… as someone else might appreciate… and learn from… your post. 🙂
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi Mark,
I believe you take way too long to make a point.
You probably have things really worthwhile to say, not that I would know. For my limited comprehensive capacity, your copy seems excessively long, lacking in focus, full of unrelated babble and dead set (sorry) boring.
Sorry, but that’s me. I might be an avid reader, but I personally suffer from a short attention span. If I’m not enjoying or learning at an acceptable pace I just can’t find the motivation to continue.
Michael.
Hi Michael, in that case, I’ll keep this brief. If you look online, you might find someone else who you connect with more. At least I hope so. I wish you success with your writing, and all that you do.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Wonderful article, even if my skin is crawling. Thanks for all you do for writers. And happy anniversary!
Hi Catherine, hahaha… love your comment… and wait until you see my new post… coming soon. 😉
Ah, the suspense!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Great article. Here is another example. I work for a retail chain, and our primary product is books. On our website, it clearly explains how authors can obtain assistance, but occasionally, an author will not read the details and contact customer service instead. Upon directing the author to the specific place on the website for the information they need, they become belligerent and rude. They seem to forget that we are readers too, and we frequently recommend books to customers… or not.
Hi Rosyln,
I feel for you… I sometimes find it humorous… other times incredibly frustrating… and always ironic… when people… especially readers… and authors… don’t read things carefully. It happens a lot with my business as well. Rudeness, too. So I try to always appreciate the “good people” as I call them… who care just as much about the experience they create for other people… as they do getting what they want… or dumping and/or projecting their frustration on other people. It’s a good thing there are more nice people in the world than the nasties. Thank you for being one of them. 🙂
Sending you kindness,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Is it OK to market a book reputedly written by or partly by an established author. I think you know what I mean. Large font saying “BY THE N Y TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR(fill in the name). Below, in a much smaller font is “and (fill in the name). To some, it’s just the way things are now. But to me, it’s blatant misrepresentation bordering on fraud. Am I overstating? Nor not?
Hi C Mosby,
There are a lot of variations like that where more than two (or more) people are involved with a project, in varying capacities. There are definitely some authors or famous people who come out with books that have other people don’t much or most of the work, and the rest of know it. Or suspect it. It has an “ick” factor to it, and you raise an interesting question about the legality… although I don’t know of any cases where something like that has been an issue… because… I guess… if “the author” is involved in any way… making key decisions… I guess it’s still “their book”… although I’m certainly not an expert on that topic… and the good news is that most authors are writing their own books. 🙂
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
interesting article. I wonder, are the cited authors real people, and do they know they are being mentioned publicly for their author no-no’s?
I especially appreciate the line “one of the basic tenets of great writing is telling the truth.” But it’s a bit misleading to say that fiction is “lies.” Much contemporary realistic fiction is actually more based on truth than many books labeled as “non-fiction.” With, of course, names changed to protect the innocent and creative plot.
Hi Terri Lynn, thank you… I’m sure they do… and I’m slow to judge so I’m careful to say “alleged” while others are quick to state things more strongly. And I get where you’re coming from with the fiction being lies. Although fiction is… well fiction… it doesn’t sound good to say that it’s lies… as… even though it’s true… it sounds bad. Stephen King said it first, or at least that’s where I heard it. LOL. But you’ve also probably heard it said that some fiction tells more truth than real life… the same way that real life is sometimes stranger than fiction. 😉
Thanks for joining the conversation, and have a great weekend.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Even sci-fi has become much more based on reality than much “non-fiction.” Hunger Games, for instance, 100% depicts the American war economy today. All the metaphors are there. Monotonous playing of anthem, Lady gaga-like freaks singing in stadiums, a Reality TV star flamboyant sociopath as president, the media circus showcasing our victims of wars for profit as “tributes” claiming its “career” option. All played out like violent video game while the corrupt capital creates beasts of battle.
Very true, and well said…
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
As every time, I much enjoy and benefit by your posts. Thank you, Mark, for being there for all of us! Your third point on “Plagiarism — Authors Behaving Badly” instantly brought to mind students being guilty of literally copying not just sentences, but paragraphs, in their essays. This was long ago, before the internet and computers. Some of my students called this “emulation.” Go, figure! Teachers don’t read books, right?
Hi Eva!
Thank you and glad you enjoyed the post… I really don’t understand the plagiarism thing either… in publishing… and in the classroom… but I was raised to believe I was special… something every parent should give a child… that belief… which… I guess… helped me believe I had something interesting to say… so I wouldn’t have considered copying someone else… LOL. Now teachers probably use computer software the looks for plagiarism. Sometimes technology is a good thing. 🙂
Enjoy your holiday weekend, and thank you again for the love,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Happy Anniversary!
I’m working on an article about YA authors behaving badly where they publicly accuse other authors of racism, sexism and ant-Semitism in their novels, and encourage others to post one star reviews online. There is a movement to have more diverse diverse characters, and good authors can write outside their gender or culture by doing enough research, but all that work can backfire when one person sets a lit match on their books.
Hi Laura, yikes. That’s crazy. Yes, there are a lot of icky things out there. Deep breaths, my wife tells me, take deep breaths. Which I do. Then I celebrate the good things… and the good people.
Thank you for being one of them,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Excellent article, Mark, as usual. Thank you for your informative posts. They are truly a wonderful resource for authors.
Hi S.E., thank you… and it’s always good seeing your smiling face. 🙂
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi Mark, thanks for all your hard work for us. I’m always astonished at the total lack of integrity in someone who would outright steal and consider it all right. In Laura Harner’s case she clearly set it up as a industrial paradigm, a business machine. She flat out assigned herself the role of scam artist. Con woman, not author. And with the arrogance of most con artists, the presumption that the suckers would never find out. And this cloying “poor me” stance is just more of the game. Sad.
Hi Madison, thank you… and I’m glad you liked the article. The good news is that, although it might not seem like it sometimes, most people try to do the right thing… at least that’s what I keep telling myself. 😉
All my best, and have a great weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com