Cait Corrain Controversy
This story was updated 12/13/23.
Author Cait Corrain’s 2024 debut novel Crown of Starlight was removed from Del Rey’s schedule today after Corrain was accused of creating numerous fake Goodreads accounts for the purpose of leaving negative reviews for other authors on the popular site. Corrain’s agent, Rebecca Podos of Rees Literary Agency, has also cut ties with the writer.
The “review bombing” was publicized last week by author Xiran Jay Zhao, who compiled a body of evidence demonstrating that the negative reviews came from alleged sockpuppet accounts; the fake accounts rated Corrain’s novel highly while blasting others.
Zhao also noted that the targeted authors—including Bethany Baptiste, Molly X. Chang, Kamilah Cole, K.M. Enright, R.M. Virtues, and Frances White—were mostly writers of color. Though Zhao did not name Corrain in the initial posts, the author’s identity soon came out on social media.
Corrain initially claimed a “former friend” named Lilly was behind the review-bombing, and acted without Corrain’s knowledge or consent. Corrain presented screenshots of conversations with Lilly, but many of Corrain’s detractors believed that evidence to be altered or fabricated; the author later admitted they were fake. Corrain made all of her social media accounts private in the immediate aftermath of the controversy, though she has since returned to issue an apology.
Corrain eventually acknowledged her actions, and apologized in a lengthy post on Instagram. She explained that she has struggled with depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse, and that a new medication she started taking in late November caused a “complete psychological breakdown.”
For further details, see this article from The Mary Sue.
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