Fantasy Author’s Controversy: Review Bombing and Lost Book Deal

Cait Corrain, a fantasy author, faced severe consequences after admitting to using fake Goodreads accounts to sabotage her competitors’ books. This unethical practice, known as review bombing, involves artificially inflating one’s own book ratings while leaving negative reviews for competitors’ works.

Admission and Apology

Corrain publicly confessed to her actions on Instagram, acknowledging that she manipulated ratings, posted negative reviews, and targeted fellow debut authors. She expressed remorse for her behavior and apologized to those affected by her actions.

Publisher’s Response

Following Corrain’s admission, her publisher, Del Rey Books, promptly dropped her debut novel, “Crown of Starlight,” from its publishing schedule. The novel, initially set for release in May 2024, was no longer associated with the publishing house.

Fallout and Accusations

Corrain faced further repercussions as her literary agent, Rebecca Podos, and a book subscription service, Illumicrate, also severed ties with her. The backlash intensified when author Xiran Jay Zhao accused Corrain of specifically targeting authors of color with books scheduled for publication in 2024.

Unveiling the Deception

Zhao’s investigation uncovered evidence linking Corrain to the fake Goodreads accounts responsible for the review bombing. Screenshots of scathing one-star reviews, paired with upvoting of Corrain’s book on multiple lists, provided damning evidence of Corrain’s misconduct.

Impact on Fellow Authors

Authors like Bethany Baptiste, who fell victim to Corrain’s actions, expressed frustration and distress over the review bombing. Baptiste revealed the emotional toll of defending her reputation while Corrain remained shielded from accountability.

Wider Context of Review Bombing

Review bombing extends beyond Goodreads, plaguing platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Yelp. In the publishing industry, such practices have led to authors canceling or postponing book releases due to orchestrated negative reviews.

Silence from Corrain

Despite repeated requests for comment, Corrain has not addressed the allegations or provided any explanation for her actions, leaving many unanswered questions about her motivations and the extent of her involvement.

The controversy surrounding Cait Corrain underscores the importance of integrity and ethics in the literary community, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the digital age.