Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

I need some input on whether I have a right to be mad about this or not.

A new group was recently formed called Nothing But Reading Challenges and more.

I have no beef about it being another reading challenge group. I have seen plenty of those came up after the creation of our group. I also don't mind if our challenges are used by other groups, since most of the time the moderators would pm me to ask permission, or they simply acknowledged where they got the idea.

What got my goat is that if you read their introduction, it copied word-for-word our group's intro.

Also, yesterday I started this thread in our group:
Reading Challenges:What's the Appeal

Now they have this thread and except for a few words has my own words verbatim:
Reading Challenges: What's the Appeal

Am I making a mountain over a molehill because I'm like spitting mad right now. I mean, couldn't they come up with their own ideas or even say it in their words.

Shall I just ignore such obvious copycatting? or do I say something?

Thanks for letting me vent.

I think it's OK for another group to use a challenge idea but they shouldn't copy what you've written word for word. I think you have a right to be mad.

Having been on various message boards over the past 5 years, this is a problem I've seen rampant over the internet. To me its out and out plagarism. I'm not sure what recourse you have, but I would definitely email the board admistrator. I dunno. I can't believe she cut and paste word for word. That's gutsy.

Let's hope that they used your words and ideas to just start it up and will somehow distinguish themselves from here on out. I would be super upset too- I would say something if I were you, but you have to do what you are comfortable with. If this was a few years ago I would have probably kept quiet- now, after some age and 3 kids, I would confront it head on.

Sandy wrote: "I think it's OK for another group to use a challenge idea but they shouldn't copy what you've written word for word. I think you have a right to be mad."

I agree with this. Also they should not copy the individual posts.

They are begging for members right now. I just got a group invitation (before seeing this thread) from a person saying that they were 'begged' to send invitations to join.

I would be mad too, Yz. I'd contact the person and let her know that you are not happy about being plagiarized. That she's free to borrow the ideas - not the words - as long as she gives credit where credit is due.

I can understand why other reading challenge groups may pop up. After all, some people may be intimidated to join ours if they are not romance readers because they don't realize it's not exclusively for romance.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I need some objective input since I'm sort of seething right now.

@D.G.

I agree that I would need to contact the moderators, but I'm letting myself calm down first before putting together a message. Not good to type something when one is mad.

She'll probably see this thread anyway if she's such a copycat visiting this group looking for ideas!

Yz, you have every right to be upset. These boards take a lot of creativity to keep up. It is wrong that another is taking your creativity and making it their own without giving proper acknowledgement to the creator. I agree with Dani about emailing the board administrator. I'm sure there is some kind of recourse for plagiarism. At the very least, it will bring it to the boards attention that others are stealing peoples writings. Hopefully, they will require that the other group change their introduction to make it their own. Further, I'm sure that other board leaders would back you up on this. Good luck on whatever recourse you decide to take.

I think I got an invite to join this one too. But I'm so busy with the ones I'm in I haven't even checked into it.

I'm real sorry to hear she's done that, Yz. You guys put a lot of thought and hard work into your group and they should do their own.

Once you've had your moment of zen, I would most definitely, at the very least, email her about the copying. Your feelings are justified and she needs to stop.

Good luck. We're with ya.

Yz, as I've heard, 'plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery'. We've all taken something from somewhere and put our own spin on it. Live and let live is my motto.

*goes and looks at site*

Now just hold on here! They have some guy that hangs out there too much making snarky posts and the occasional thinly veiled sexual innuendo. Guy calls himself 'PictureJim'. I'm sorry but this is just going too far!

OK, seriously, what you've created here is a wonderful place. I'm sorry that someone is trying to steal your thunder. Send a note asking the mods to at least come up with something original. But don't worry about it after that. It's the community here that makes this fun.

I was asked to join the group yesterday & I joined on a whim. I did see the topic "What's the Appeal" although I didn't read the post. I had already posted to that topic on this group & didn't see the point in doing it again. I didn't know that that might be considered plagarism or I'd have felt more than slight annoyance.

I think you are completely justified in feeling angry about this thing, YZ. I understand wanting to use others challenge ideas since some people aren't creative enough to think of one on their own or like the way one person created their challenge. But topic discussions? Are you really lacking so much in ideas for topic discussions that you feel the need to steal others ideas? If so, you probably shouldn't be creating your own group.

As for the friends invites, the moderator sent me an email begging to invite friends & I refuse. I care enough about my friends on here not to bombard them with friend invites to a group that I'm not sure I'm going to like yet. What ever decision you decide to make, I'm with you.

Yz, I got an invite to join that group and I did join it without checking out what the group was about, just because I always accept group invites - yeah, I'm lame, LOL. Right after I joined the group, I received a PM from the mod welcoming me and asking begging me to invite my friends to join. I didn't do it, as I felt "cornered" by that and didn't like the feeling. That's when I decided to see what was going on there and noticed right away the similarities with this group. I didn't know what to think of that (besides the obvious) and left the group.

Yz, I hope you can sort this "confusion" out soon. :)

Yz the Whyz wrote: "@D.G. I agree that I would need to contact the moderators, but I'm letting myself calm down firs..."

Very smart, Yz. It's never good to write to anybody angry.

I agree with Jim that it's the community - and all your hard work - that makes this group fun. I wonder how much that group will last if the mod cannot take the time to write her own posts!!

I need to type this as a moderator and creator of another Challenge Group.

The Suggestions Thread here is great, and many members who post ideas there are also in my group. If I use ideas, I try to ALWAYS give credit to who if not where I got the idea. Otherwise, it is just not fair. Now I am sure there have been times where I thought it was original and it was not, but that does not sound like the case here. Also, it does not take much effort to personalize the challenge a little at all. I am very careful not to post something word for word or in this case challenge for challenge.

I believe that when you calm down, as you have every right to be angry, you should inform the moderators how you feel. As a matter of fact, one of their mods is also one of mine.

After reading this post, I will go leave the group. I thought the begging for invites was a bit odd. If someone is interested they will search it out and join. Until then, the moderators just have to work that much harder to make it interesting. I will not support copying and, right now, I didn't even see any challenges!

I hope this works out for you Yz. Please keep us posted on what the moderators say. Like I said, one of tier moderators is one of mine, and I am interested in how she handles this situation if you were to send the message to them both.

@ Photojim

Thanks for sharing some levity into the whole matter. I needed that smile.

@everyone

Thanks for the heartfelt support.

I just got a pm from the moderator Rachel. The GR grapevine is fast, so she had heard I was mad. She apologized for the matter, saying she just put those in to get her group started. I informed her that copying other people's words verbatim is not a good way to start, but wished her luck with her group. She said she is going to change or revise their group intro, and will delete certain threads.

So I'm going to soothe my ruffled feathers by raising the bar. I'm off to cook up another challenge, one that has been brewing in my head for some time, and will probably unveil it today or tomorrow.

*hugs to everyone*

Have I mentioned that I'm so lucky to have such great members in this group? Well, I am. : )

I got the I was begged to invite you invite as well and accepted it to see what it was. I also saw the lifted thread mentioned above. Instead of pm'ing the moderators who know what they've done, I did something else instead. I started a thread in their group and accused them of outright stealing from other groups. I'm sure as soon as they see it, they'll delete it but since they publicly stole other groups ideas and threads, verbatim even, I thought they should be publicly called out for it and shamed. I said in the note that based on what they've done I was immediately removing myself as a member and did. So I have no idea if anyone will see the post (before they delete it) or will reply to it, but at least for awhile it's there.

Sorry Yz that they did this to you and your lovely group here. I can understand borrowing ideas for some games or something, but with everything they've used they should have either acknowledged where it came from or asked permission. I'd be just as mad as you are.

Yz, I have to say that I would be spitting mad as well, and I think you should contact someone to let them know about it and to see what can be done, so that it doesn't keep happening. I also agree that you need time to cool off before taking steps to resolve it.

Yz, you have a wonderful, fantastic, fun-filled group here. I know it has taken tremendous time, effort, and creativity to get it up and running...and still yet requires those things even more so now on your part to maintain and grow the group. I'm sure you started from the ground up. I think it is very wrong of someone else to take what you have worked so hard on and try to start their own group. If someone wants to start a reading challenge group - so be it...but they need to use their own time, effort and creativity to do so...not "steal" someone else's.

On a lighter note, I do want to tell you that I love this group! It is by far my favorite. Thank you for all that you do to keep it so fun and exciting.

Is there anyone at GRs themselves Yz can contact? Perhaps GRs could shut the other group down since they so blantantly copied so much. Personally, I don't see how Yz contacting the moderators is going to do any good other than let her vent because they (the moderators/group owner) knew what they were doing when they created the copycat group and outright copied word-for-word various threads.

Something is happening over there. When I got my first invite it went right through and I was a member. I also thought it was a public group. Now it's a private group. You must be a member to view their discussions and membership must be approved before you can join.

I realize Yz that we're a public group so anyone can see the discussions here, but based on their actions if either of that group's moderators is a member here, I would remove their group membership from your group.

Hopefully calling her out on it will embarrass her enough that it will take some time for her to be brave enough to steal ideas.

However, Yz, I do believe it would be a good idea for you to keep your membership and keep an eye on what she is doing. If this happens again, I agree with Brainsgirl, you should contact GR. I only advise this, though, if it happens again after you have talked to her.

Yz the Whyz wrote: "I just got a pm from the moderator Rachel. The GR grapevine is fast, so she had heard I was mad. She apologized for the matter, saying she just put those in to get her group started. I informed ..."

I'm glad she apologized and acknowledged the copycatting, promising to make things right. I wish her luck with her group, but I won't be rejoining it. I'm happy where I am. Thanks for taking the time to create such fun challenges, Yz. :)

@ Kate (Briansgirl)

Thank you so much for defending our group. I really appreciate you standing up for us.

Also, to all who posted here and those who sent me private messages in support of this matter, I greatly extend my gratitude.

@ Lenore

The group went private as of a few moments ago.

Yz the Whyz wrote: "I just got a pm from the moderator Rachel. The GR grapevine is fast, so she had heard I was mad. She apologized for the matter, saying she just put those in to get her group started. I informed ..."

Yz -- I'm glad she contacted you and acknowledged that lifting your words was not the best way to go about things.

My guess is that it was a little bit of over enthusiasm. I noticed that Rachel just joined Gooodreads this month (so that couldn't have been more than 9 days ago). Not sure why she decided to start her own group instead of just getting involved with the ones that are already here (she's a member of this group, for example), but I can understand getting excited about the Goodreads community. Not that this excuses her lifting your words -- it doesn't. It takes a lot of work to get a thriving group off the ground and she needs to do her own work. Hopefully, that will happen now.

And, Yay on the new challenge (not that I need one, but I'll probably do it anyway -- see the "What's the Appeal" thread ;o)).

@Kristi

I'm aware that Rachel was new in GR. I sent her a welcome pm to GR and to our group just a couple of days ago, that's why she is still fresh in my mind.

That's also the reason, I tried to be gracious about her apology and shared with her some input that it would be wise not to copy people's words on GR because despite the huge membership, there is that feeling of community. I do wish her luck in her group. I do not want this little incident to turn her off Goodreads.

Still, I cannot help my initial reaction. Can't help being possessive about my own words, can I? :) That's why I have to calm down before I responded.

Yz the Whyz wrote: "@ Photojim

Thanks for sharing some levity into the whole matter. I needed that smile.

@everyone

Thanks for the heartfelt support."

Anytime Yz. You know we got your back.

I try to throw a little levity into EVERY situation. There are many people who don't appreciate my sense of humor (or even understand what I'm talking about for that matter). Granted my timing and content are often wildly inappropriate (like Mother Theresa used to say, 'If they can't take a joke, F 'em!'). But if something I've said has lightened your mood, then I'm happy.

PS. I'm looking forward to whatever challenge you are about to unveil.

I've been getting a ton of invites from new groups that are almost an exact replica of groups that I already belong to. My groups are already established and had good partication to begin with. I've already established myself/commented in my groups and am an active member of a great community. Also, I've gotten 3 invites this week for new groups where its just a group to keep track of your challenges, etc. Most of my groups alreadys have that feature. I'm actually thinking about leaving some groups just to simplify my goodreads life, lol

Hi Yz. I wanted to say that I was unaware of this plagarism. I did join this group, and did invite others to join. My head is in the clouds, so I didn't notice what was going on. I'm kind of a softie and I'll join most groups that are somewhat in my area of interest. I realize that there are others who probably was not aware of this either, and they are very happy here with your group. I want you to know that I love this group, and you are still my Challenge Queen. I'm sorry if my actions contributed to any hurt you might have felt.

Yz the Whyz wrote: "@Kristi

I'm aware that Rachel was new in GR. I sent her a welcome pm to GR and to our group just a couple of days ago, that's why she is still fresh in my mind.

Still, I cannot help my initial reaction. Can't help being possessive about my own words, can I? :) That's why I have to calm down before I responded."

Nope, I don't blame you one bit and you're wise to calm down first. I wish everyone on the internet had that much wisdom ;o).

Yz, I also need to apologize. I was one of the first 2 members to join that group, and either there was no description yet, or I just didn't pay close enough attention to it, but I agree that while plagiarism is "the sincerest form of flattery," it's also one of the most despicable forms.

You've worked your tail off, not just on this group but on all the groups you participate in, and don't deserve to have your hard work taken that way.

I wish there were something more I could do to rectify my part in promoting the group, and if you can think of anything, aside from the post I already made on that group, please let me know.

@ Danielle and UM

No need for apologies. It is not your actions that sent me into my little tizzy. : )

However, I'm very touched by your generous support to my feelings and simply by extending your understanding to the whole matter.

Yz, did you say you were working on another challenge? Sign me up...LOL

southpaw285 wrote: "Yz, did you say you were working on another challenge? Sign me up...LOL"

LOL...Yep...just finalizing the rules and the name for it. It will be a little different than the usual, so stay tuned everyone.

Have to channel my earlier hissy fit to something creative.. : )

she requested me as a friend and I saw we had a few books in common, so I said yes since she was a newb...and within like 10 minutes had an invite to her group; said no and then got another one yesterday...I mean, if I say no once, normally means no...YK?

Ok, I got invited yesterday and was asked to be a mod, like Lenore said, I mod for her too. I thought, why not, I mod for a few other groups and said ok. I like to help out when I can. I was told about this thread today and informed the mod of that group. As I am a new member here and don't chat here every day, I was not aware of what was going on immediately. However, I feel like I am in the cross-fire here, and I'm just an innocent bystander. I agree, that copying the threads was wrong and said myself that they should be changed and people should not be begged to join because that irritates me too. I just wanted to let you know my stance on the matter, since some of you are over there as well. I am reconsidering my involvement, but have not decided.

I have met some great new people in the other group though.

@Alycia

I am in no way holding your responsible for something that is not your doing.

Furthermore, Rachel had already apologized and promised that she will change the parts that she copied verbatim. I'm going to go by faith on the matter, and I wish you guys well with your group.

I bear no ill will to anyone, even though, I admit I did go into a snitch earlier. Was just shock at seeing my exact words posted by someone else, as if it were their words, if you know what I mean.

Yz the Whyz wrote: "@Alycia

I am in no way holding your responsible for something that is not your doing.

Furthermore, Rachel had already apologized and promised that she will change the parts that she copied verba..."


No, I completely understand and would feel the same way that you do. I like to help in other groups not create/be in charge. I just wanted you to know that I am aware of it, what my stance is, and know that i am not just standing idly by doing nothing.

Alycia, i still love you! *hugs*

Yz, you know how i feel already. *bows down* I want to be as mature as you when i grow up! *places a sparkling tiara to the Challenge Queen*

I have my own challenge group and I have used some of the challenge ideas from here but I always put down (From RRRC the link or I put from YZ). And I make it my own. I don't use it word for word.

I didn't know what was going on...but I definitely bounced out of that group. *shaking my head*

☪☠Lizz☠☪ wrote: "I have my own challenge group and I have used some of the challenge ideas from here but I always put down (From RRRC the link or I put from YZ). And I make it my own. I don't use it word for word."

I think that's normal and not a bad thing, as some of the challenges could be incorporated to many other groups. The issue is copying everything exactly the same, down to the introduction for the group.

Yeah I thank that is wrong to copy word for word.

I don't think there's anything wrong with groups having similar challenges. I had thought about making a Challenge Yourself challenge, where readers create their own challenge, and then saw that there's something similar here, but I'm still going to do one in September. There are only so many ways to have a book challenge. Eventually things are going to overlap.

I don't think the mods in this group have an issue with that.

@YZ I was invited and joined the group but haven't done much more than an intro. I will see what its about and even ask the group what gives...so not cool...

Rossy wrote: "Alycia, i still love you! *hugs*

Yz, you know how i feel already. *bows down* I want to be as mature as you when i grow up! *places a sparkling tiara to the Challenge Queen*"

thanks so much Rossy! *hugs back*

I joined a few days ago thinking it would be different, which is fine, but today I noticed TOO many things that are the same as this group, and that seemed a little weird. I'm glad to see in this thread that its been noticed and addressed.

Yz, I would feel exactly the same if someone was copying my words verbatim. I think you have every right to be upset. I got an invite to the group yesterday and barely had a moment to glance at it. I noticed some threads with identical subjects and thought it was odd. I take my time considering which groups I want to participate in, so I just left it alone for the time being. Now that I know what's going on, I won't be joining. Even if the mod of that group hadn't copied your ideas, I would have found it to be redundant. I'm happy here, and you dish out all the fun and interesting challenges I can handle.;-)

Yz, like others have already said, you are the 'queen of challenges'.

Although I accepted Rachel as a friend, I didn't like the look of her group, because it seemed from the first to be too much the same as here. So I didn't bother to join. Don't need a shadow when I already have the substance.