Book News: Signet and Cassie Edwards Part Ways After Plagiarism Investigation
Michael Rogers -- Library Journal, 4/23/2008 7:26:00 AM
- Author regains rights to her works
- Romance web site and Nora Roberts make accusations
Plagiarism accusations have resulted in a split between romance author Cassie Edwards and Signet. The publisher April 18 issued a statement saying that after an “extensive review of all its Cassie Edwards novels and due to irreconcilable editorial differences, Ms. Edwards and Signet have mutually agreed to part ways. Cassie Edwards novels will no longer be published with Signet Books. All rights to Ms. Edwards’s previously published Signet books have reverted to the author.” The Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books site made the first accusations that Edwards lifted material from historical works; they were joined by author Nora Roberts, whose own works had been plagiarized by another writer. Signet initially claimed fair use, but its investigation led to the break.
