Armchair BEA: Ethics in Blogging

May 31, 2013

We're getting back into discussion mode in a big way today with the topic of "Ethics in Blogging." What guidelines must we follow as bloggers--attribution, disclosure, honesty? Have you had an experience with plagiarism (victim or perpetrator?), and how did you deal with it? Do you have recommendations to new bloggers about how to ensure that credit is given to whom/where it's due? 

 Share your thoughts on the ethical challenges of blogging--what we should be doing, and what fall apart when we don't do it.


Honesty and integrity are import in blogging just as it was in high school and college when writing English papers and anything else that needed to be typed and submitted. I had students try to cheat off of my paper in college and when I knew it, I would intentionally change my answer to the wrong one, then right before I turned in my paper, I would fix it. It was either that or trip the idiot as they walked out the door...but that is frowned upon in certain circles...but, I digress.

I believe that full credit is due to the author of the book. They spent hours, weeks, and months writing and editing their baby. To take that away from them is like a punch in the gut. I respect the work that these authors put into their stories. I sometimes may not like the story that I have read, but I respect the effort that was put in to the work and  I want everyone to know who wrote this book.

I'm still learning all about the massive blogging world, but I use the same standards as I did in school. There were consequences for plagiarism in school, there will be here too...but more severe with the threat of law suits and other wonderful set up legalities. So, if nothing else, always site the author and the book name together.

If you want to quote from the book on your blog, just follow the warning at the front of the book...every book has it. And I quote, "All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means--electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other--expect for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher."

Give credit where it is due. Site the author, if needed the publisher. If you quote from the book, make it known it is from the book and give the page number.Be respectful.

10 comments

  1. Thanks for commenting on the ethics in reviewing. This is the topic I touched on as well. As an author, it honestly does not bother me all that much if someone dislikes my novel. I don't like every book written either! But please be kind, do not tell a blatant lie about something in my book, and for heaven's sake make sure the title and my name are at least correct!

    Thanks for the post, Kate. This author HUGELY appreciates your integrity. :-)

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    1. Absolutely! Those are the most important principles to me in blogging: honesty and respect...and correct spelling defiantly doesn't hurt! If those can't be done, there's no point in this.
      Thank you. :-)

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  2. Good principles highlighted: honesty and respect. Should be guides for us all! Thanks :0)

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    1. Honesty and respect is important everywhere, it should always be here too. Thanks for coming by! :-)

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  3. I couldn't agree more! :o) It reminds me of all of my college classes and APA citations, but at least I know that I haven't hi-jacked someone else's work. Great point, Katie!

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    1. Exactly! Having not hi-jacked anything makes it all the sweeter. :-)

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  4. Here's a question for you....you can't really cite a page number when you read an e-book version. What do you do then?

    Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know

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    1. That's a good question. I'm not familiar with e-book format, I stick with printed. I haven't thought about that. I say work with what you have. :-)(Book Name) by (Author) in e-book format.

      I would love to hear from someone who uses e-books more regularly on that.

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    2. I love e-books and Sandy is right there sometimes isn't a page #. I read on a Kindle and it does still give a location if you wanted to cite that and which e-book version you are reviewing. Honestly, I indicate my favorite quotes in my review but don't put page #s. eek! Thanks for the reminder! Here are my thoughts on ethics and useful links I've found Hope you will stop by. Happy Friday and keep up the good work from your friendly ABEA cheerleader today!

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    3. Thanks for sharing! You posted some good things. I know I need to study up some more. I'm just lost on e-books. I don't want to give up the print. :-)

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