There are situations one hopes never to find oneself in as an Editor, but today I write to share a gross oversight and an apology.
Earlier this morning, a concerned reader, Ana Prundaru, contacted me concerning a flash fiction piece we published in October of 2015. The piece in question, “Swallowed by the Sea,” was sent to Easy by B. Mitchell Cator. As verified through plagiarism software, this piece is a duplication of Townsend Walker’s “Slashing at the Nets.” Though we have removed the piece from our site, I encourage our readers to read this powerful flash as written, formatted, and attributed to its rightful author, as well as explore Mr. Walker’s other projects.
I sincerely apologize to Mr. Walker personally and professionally. As a fellow writer, I am sickened by this discovery. As an editor, I’m frustrated and embarrassed. That I did not intercept this piece as a fraud prior to publishing is my editorial mistake. For that oversight, I want to also apologize to our readers and sincerely thank Ms. Prundaru for bringing the situation to my attention.
Today has also brought the news that Easy Street is not the only entity on the receiving end of Mr. Cator’s duplicity. As with many small magazines, our editors work on a basis of trust with writers, the majority of whom are working hard to get their work in front of the world. For one writer to take the hard work of not just one, but many, talented authors, passing work off to journals whose missions are to champion writers and beautiful work is appalling, at best.
Here at Easy Street, we are writers, too — artists drafting, working, and submitting our own carefully crafted words, just like our submitters. We want to believe we are all in literature boat together, celebrating any rising tide. Easy Street will continue to lift up beautiful works and authors despite these frustrations. That said, we will be taking steps to ensure this does not happen again, even if it slows down our processes.
I hope that by sharing this error in a transparent fashion, other magazines and writers can avoid literary thievery and laud the rightful authors of published works. If you’d like to contact me with questions or comments, please do so by writing me at editors@easystreetmag.com or commenting below. Thank you for your time and patience we unravel this sorry mess.
Mea culpa, dear readers.
Cami
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Camille Griep
Editor
Easy Street
Ω
20 comments
Dave Clapper says:
Jun 1, 2016
I know this wasn’t easy to write. I applaud you for writing it so eloquently. Brava!
Camille Griep says:
Jun 1, 2016
Thanks so much, Dave. I hope this is a step toward healing the damage.
Karen Jones says:
Jun 1, 2016
Thank you – this is great.
Camille Griep says:
Jun 1, 2016
Thanks for reading.
John Ravenscroft says:
Jun 1, 2016
Thank you so much for shining a light on Mr Cator’s plagiarism. He stole one of my stories, too. I have a screenshot of his version (he removed it), and it’s word-for-word.
Camille Griep says:
Jun 1, 2016
I’m so sorry this happened to you. Writers already have a tough enough road to publication. Wishing you all the best.
Ryan Havely says:
Jun 3, 2016
Yeah, he didn’t even change the title of mine. I wouldn’t mind running into him in an alley.
Helen Broom says:
Jun 1, 2016
Thank you so much for this!!
Camille Griep says:
Jun 1, 2016
Thank you for reading. Much appreciated.
Geri Buckley Borcz says:
Jun 1, 2016
Very well said, Ms. Griep.
Gavin says:
Jun 1, 2016
I’ve spent hours over the last few days double checking every word this guy has written, informing authors where I could, informing ezines where appropriate. So I’m an invested character in this. Just wanted to praise you for your post here. This isn’t your fault but it proves that the plagiarist has more than one victim. I understand that Mr. Cator is now feeling contrition over the matter. I would certainly hope so.
Ryan Havely says:
Jun 3, 2016
How do you know he’s feeling contrition? He won’t respond to any of my emails or Facebook messages.
Carolyn Agosta says:
Jun 1, 2016
Thank you for your post. A public outing is the best way to treat these people who think they can steal someone else’s words and hard work.
Jennifer Pruiett-Selby says:
Jun 2, 2016
So sorry that this happened. You’re an amazing editor, though. Love you lots, Cami!
Samantha Memi says:
Jun 2, 2016
First I learn an editor is stalking me for withdrawing a story from his magazine, now someone is plagiarising online writers. What on earth happened to the hobby I thought of as fun.
Jennifer Pruiett-Selby says:
Jun 2, 2016
If only it were a hobby. For some of us, this is our life.
Jennifer Harvey says:
Jun 2, 2016
Thank you for posting this. Writers take so much time and care to craft their stories and send them out into the world. If ever there was a labour of love, writing is it. Mr Cator has upset so many people with this shenanigans including the literary journals he has duped. If there is any good thing which has come out of this whole episode it has been the way the writing community has rallied round and outed this thief. Sorry your journal was a victim of all of this.
fairyhedgehog says:
Jun 2, 2016
I respect and admire you for your full and sincere apology for your oversight.
However, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the person who did wrong is not you! Becoming a victim of crime through being too trusting is not the same as committing a crime.
It’s a shame that you need to be so vigilant against other people’s fraudulent behaviour.
Jan Dean says:
Jun 2, 2016
Great stuff – we can all miss things from time to time, but your response is exemplary.
logicus,tracticus says:
Jun 3, 2016
seconded all below