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Very Important Announcement Regarding Plagiarism

7/21/2014

45 Comments

 
As a writer, I make an effort to write original pieces with original characters that do not infringe on anyone's intellectual property rights, and could not be considered plagiarism. I posted my work on various writing sites with the hope of getting feedback, keeping in mind the plagiarism policies on these various sites — all very strongly against plagiarism. 
For approximately three and a half years, this method has worked fine for me. I may have encountered characters who were similar tropes or works with similar concepts to my piece (for example, Ben in Aerin's Standing in Fire is kinda manipulative like Kaden in my story, but he's certainly an original character) but until yesterday, I have never been plagiarized.
That changed when I discovered a roleplay group, with a suspicious similarity to my 2011 NaNoWriMo novel Aryan. (The novel is copyrighted, and I even have paperback copies of the project from the free promotion stating the copyright to my real name.) The racial discrimination element was not a problem, as that is common domain by now, sadly. (I say sadly because it's sad that people discriminate so much). However, the roleplay hit much too close to home with the same basic framing of the world, same year of rebellion and even the same cover font on the banner as on my book cover. 
I am trying to get this situation dealt with, but it has made me realize that perhaps making my work available publicly online isn't working anymore. I've made many friends, on the site as well as through writing conferences, who would be willing to help me with my pieces and give feedback. Since I now have this network, I am deciding to make my important pieces on Figment private and only give some people the access codes. Additionally, on the other sites Wattpad and Hexbound, there is a "followers-only" setting for new stories that I will be applying. It's by no means a perfect system but it's a lot better. 
If you read my pieces on Figment, and you would like to have the access codes, please comment below indicating that, and put your email address in the email field (which doesn't show to other commenters). I will create a Google Document with any new access codes for my pieces. I will not be transferring everything over, just certain things. There will, of course, still be pieces available on Figment, but they won't be ones I'm serious about (ex. the Humor Shorts or contest entries.) I promise not to use your email for spam. 
Thanks for understanding!

*If you are from Figment, please use your name from there in the name field.* 
45 Comments
Fairley
7/21/2014 02:14:44 am

Thanks for the headsup. My mom warned me about posting stories I wanted to get published in print online, so I've never posted anything like that online yet, but I still would hate for someone to steal the little works I still have up

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/21/2014 08:52:35 am

Yeah...I used to reassure people that Figment was great on the plagiarism front, but now...:/

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Xandra Vaughn
7/21/2014 02:51:32 am

I don't know I mean it's just a roleplay, I'm not quite sure how that makes the situation any less bad but it's not like they wrote an entire story from yours. They probably just liked the idea and wanted to make a roleplay based on it. Granted, they should have asked or at least given you credit.

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/21/2014 08:53:45 am

True. I'd be much more angry if it were an entire story. But nonetheless, it irritates me. I invited you to the google doc!

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Julia Hertherington
7/21/2014 06:34:22 am

That's terrible! I thought Figment was pretty good because oyu can't copy and paste... How terrible, this must really be a downer. I would love to have the access codes for
Stage of Mirrors
Problem Child
Not Just a K-Girl
Dream Chasers
Finding Trouble

If I copyright any of it you can go tell Figment admin that I need to be kicked off, please. I hope none of this stuff happens again. Good luck.

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/21/2014 08:55:24 am

Well, actually, there are ways to get around the copy/paste block...But it wasn't even that. It was my idea that was taken, not the text. Which is almost worse for me, you know? That they didn't even use my words. Anyway, I've added you to the doc.

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Mary Peters
7/21/2014 09:45:17 am

I would love access to your stories, since I like reading them.

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Aurora Sanders
7/21/2014 10:50:06 am

Added you to the doc! Thanks for reading my stories :)

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Alex Epicness
7/21/2014 10:15:21 am

That's terrible! I'm so sorry that that happened to you! I'm going to have to be a lot more careful with what I post on Figment. I hope it doesn't happen again!

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Aurora Sanders
7/21/2014 10:52:31 am

Me too, but it shouldn't with this. At least not with my important works. I've added you to the document!

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Star (aka Bright Wrists) link
7/21/2014 01:40:57 pm

I'm so sorry that happened to you! I'd like the codes for Problem Child and Dream Chasers.

Plagiarism sucks.
~Star

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Aurora Sanders
7/22/2014 01:56:14 am

Added you to the doc. Thanks for the support :)

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Emily Han
7/21/2014 02:22:11 pm

I am so so sorry something like that has happened to you. Your stories are great, and I would definitely like to continue reading them.

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Aurora Sanders
7/22/2014 01:56:34 am

Added you to the doc!

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phelpsy
7/21/2014 02:33:18 pm

Oh gosh! That's terrible!! D: They should've at least asked

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Aurora Sanders
7/22/2014 01:57:00 am

I know, really. Added you!

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Ryann Ravenwood link
7/21/2014 03:59:44 pm

I'm an author from FIgment. I just wanted to say thank you for helping me realize that my pieces are at risk and also that I am very sorry that someone, especially from the "family" Figment, has done this to you. I would love to keep reading your pieces off of Figment if that is possible :)

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:17:43 am

No problem. Too bad it had to come like this...I've added you to the doc.

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Tech
7/21/2014 05:55:30 pm

It can be discouraging when ones work is plagiarized or knocked off. One has to be aware that there are those who will just swipe work and ideas and pass them off as their own. In one way, it's flattering and in another way it hurts the bank account balance and is not a morally upright thing. Thanks for adding me to the list of those who can continue to enjoy your works!

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:22:15 am

Yep, sure. They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

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Alyssa Amie
7/22/2014 04:42:16 am

I would love to still have access to your work as I love reading it! thank you! I am sorry you went through that- it is so not fair to have your creation used without your permission. best of luck!

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Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:22:38 am

Thanks :) I've added you.

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B Equi-Ampere
7/23/2014 02:31:24 am

Yikes D: I'm sorry this happened to you! Hope it all gets resolved and such soon. I'd love to still have access to your work, though, if that's all right with ya.

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Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:23:31 am

Gave you access. Annoyingly I still haven't gotten an email back...other than a notification that I'd sent it to the wrong address which I didn't think I had?

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Arabella Starr link
7/23/2014 04:33:43 am

Hey, wow, this is hard to believe. I mostly use Figment to practice my writing and have my other writing off the website. I hope you don't run across any more plagiarism. You have such a creative imagination.

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:24:05 am

Thanks! Hopefully this whole access code situation should guard against future plagiarism.

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Laura
7/23/2014 07:09:07 am

Hey Aurora! Thank you so much for writing this and making this aware to others. Wow! Nanowrimo is an awesome contest I hope to win someday! (fingers crossed) and the fact that you have that copyright is fantastic. This makes me so angry to see others not support your work or give any credit to you through plagiarism. I will definitely support you! Keep me posted about how things turn out!! :D

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Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:24:41 am

I definitely will! Thanks for supporting me :)

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Madeleine Elyse
7/23/2014 04:56:14 pm

Me and one of my friends had the opposite problem- somebody took characters and events and even dialogue from our harry potter rp and turned it into a book. it turned out okay, we emailed a figment admin, and his account was deleted, but we were furious about it at the time.

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:25:32 am

That's really annoying. How long did it take to get an email back? Because I sent one Sunday night and it hasn't been dealt with yet.

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C.R. Chamberlain
7/24/2014 07:41:01 am

You know I support ya, Aurora! :)

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Aurora Sanders
7/24/2014 09:25:54 am

Aw thanks. And I already added you to the doc ;)

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Jessi Vale
7/24/2014 03:01:19 pm

That's horrible! I know we haven't really interacted, but your writing blows me away and I love reading your stuff. I am so sorry this happened to you. I'd love to be able to continue reading your work, though!

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Aurora Sanders
7/26/2014 11:37:27 am

You should say hello sometime! :) I'm so glad you like my writing. I've added you to the document.

Reply
Meg link
7/25/2014 04:11:37 pm

Again, so sorry about this. It's really saddening when others don't live up to expectations.

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/26/2014 11:37:50 am

Thanks Meg :)

Reply
Mermaid Annabella link
7/25/2014 07:25:29 pm

I'm sorry to hear about your work being ripped off by another user. My vampmaid series was ripped off once, and I was beyond pissed, so I know how you feel. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you.

-Annabella

Reply
Aurora Sanders
7/26/2014 11:38:53 am

Thanks Annabella. Plagiarism's really awful, isn't it? I'm glad for your support :)

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Bailey Dhor
7/26/2014 12:30:44 pm

I saw that group actually. It's annoying how people have to steal ideas from others instead of relying on their own imagination and ideas.

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Aurora Sanders
7/26/2014 12:45:27 pm

Phew, so I'm not the only one who noticed. (I mean, independently of me drawing people's attention to it obviously.) It really is!

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Shayla Ballard
8/3/2014 10:26:42 am

Hi! I was interested in "The Prince Charming Test" on your figment account, and would like the access code to check it out.

Reply
Taiba
8/20/2014 11:14:41 pm

People should use their own ideas and imagination instead of stealing others. I hope your issues with plagiarism is solved soon :)

Reply
Chief
8/26/2014 03:09:13 pm

Hi. I enjoyed reading your contest entries and I would love to have the access codes to read the rest of your pieces.

It's a sad age that we live in with all these art thiefs and plagiarists around - when they can't think up their own idea instead of copying others.

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Kylie
10/30/2014 04:16:56 am

Hey Aurora!
I don't know if I commented here yet...but I'd love to be part of the google docs. Some of your stories look really good, and I'd love to read them.

(I haven't gotten any of my stories ripped off yet, but one of my covers I made was plagiarized and used for someone elses story, they only changed the author name, but everything else was by me. :\)

Reply
cassandra ze timelord
1/27/2015 09:44:10 am

I would like the access code for "Partisan", please!

Reply

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    ME!

    I'm a teenage girl who likes writing novels. I enjoy exploring the relationships with characters, creating complex antagonists, and side characters who threaten to take over the plot of the series.. I'm a psychology/science geek who also likes writing and music as you can probably tell from my other blog. 

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    My blogger friend Fairley over at fairleysreviews.blogspot.com nominated me for this award!
    Aurora Sanders

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