When Famous Writers Plagiarize

2002-03-07 admin

On a Sunday morning, I was scouring the Internet seeking the best college newspaper directory I could find for presenting a news release regarding a new E-Book targeted to women that I am representing. Arriving at the UWireToday.com site, I figured it was probably one of the better resources, since it distributes national headlines to college newspapers daily.
And, there it was...like a cold glass of water tossed in my face, chased by a thirty-degree wind chill.

The top news headline (authored by Andrew J. Miller) of the previous Friday read, "Plagiarism controversy costs historian Goodwin speaking engagements."

Don't look now, but it appears that noted Historian and author, Dr. Doris Kearns Goodwin has, allegedly, created one of Writing's cardinal sins and snafus via her book "The Fitzgerald's and the Kennedys."

As a result, the University of Delaware immediately withdrew its invitation to Ms. Goodwin to speak at the graduation commencement.

How would you like to have forever, this incident as the most memorable of your college experience?

And, particularly, if you majored or minored in any of the following; History, English, Journalism, or any combination
of the above?

Allegedly, it was Lynne McTaggart, author of a book on Kathleen Kennedy, who discovered extensive copying in Goodwin's book, subsequently, receiving a cash settlement and a confidentiality
agreement after bringing the plagiarism to the attention of Goodwin's publisher, Simon & Schuster. Hmm...so much for "confidentiality."

Incidentally, Simon & Schuster has, allegedly, destroyed all remaining copies of the book in inventory.

And, while I have not read the book, I have certainly heard of it due to its mass media publicity.

It is also important to note Dr. Goodwin's achievements to date in order to further question (and have the opportunity to become even more puzzled) as to why this incident has transpired:

· Harvard Overseer
· 1995 Pulitzer Prize for History ("No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II") published in 1993
· Author of "The Fitzgerald's and the Kennedys" (1987), which was made into a six hour television mini-series on ABC in 1990, and a New York Times bestseller
· Author of "Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream" (1976)
· Worked as an assistant to President Johnson during his last year in the White House and later assisted him in the preparation of his memoirs.
· Taught Government at Harvard for ten years, including a course on the American Presidency
· Holds a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University
· Regular contributor to PBS' "The News with Jim Lehrer" (Baseball expert) note: now, allegedly, on suspension, pending the outcome of this situation
· Consultant for PBS' Ken Burns' documentary, "The History of Baseball"
· Received the Harold Washington Literary Award
· Received the New England Bookseller Association Award
· Winner of the Charles Frankel Prize given by the National Endowment for the Humanities
· Winner of the Sara Josepha Hale medal
· Received the Ambassador Book Award
· Received the Washington Monthly Book Award
· "Wait Till Next Year: A Memoir" was published in 1997 (optioned by Edgar Scherick for a TV movie)

Now, I have not listed Dr. Goodwin's above achievements
in order to promote or honor her in any manner, but to, otherwise, present the obviously significant contrast between her 'shining star' accomplishments and this particular action.

And, upon their review, at the very least, this incident both baffles and boggles the mind.
Then, I think of all the truly and unquestionably honest and hardworking writers who would not dream of stealing another's work, but who do not even come close to the financial gain, notoriety and fame that Ms. Goodwin has obviously accumulated and attained as a result of her "work."

Also, as a result of this incident, I find myself wondering just how many (if any) of her accolades were, in fact, 'gained honestly' versus 'ill-gotten'?

This is truly an awful thing, not only for the Writing industry, but even more so for the incredibly large number of struggling writers who will, invariably, suffer peripherally in their respective careers as a result of this tragedy.

At a time when honest (and, particularly, freelance andcontributing) writers endlessly battle to be paid what are mere pittances for their original work from reluctant publishers and editors, in comparison to Dr. Goodwin's earnings, this controversy has to, unfortunately, occur.

Again, not from a yet undiscovered, ever desperate writer hell-bent on selling his soul to succeed as a professional commercial writer mind you, but from a noted, well established and famous 'long-termer'.

This simply places another
'notch on the gun', so to speak, for non-paying and paying publishers alike, who can now and forevermore question how they can any longer trust any literary work to be original and rightly-owned by the contributor, all under the guises of "no pay" and "low pay."

If it has been tough to break into Writing and garner well deserved recognition and respect thus far (and, indeed, it has), just watch how much colder its climate turns in the very near future. Because, this situation certainly will not positively contribute and do much to make it any better, nor easier.

However, I suppose that the eventual emergence of a "Milli Vanilli" syndrome in the Writing industry, as which occurred in the Music industry several years ago, was inevitable (I'm only surprised at it having taken this long). And, to which my only further response is, "My, my, my...what will they think of next?"

www.kennylove.net

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