RULES WORTH FOLLOWING
Please Don’t Plagiarise
You will get banned
A new writer on this publication seemed to me to be exhibiting odd behaviour. He was submitting stories every day despite being told we only publish writers once a week. Plus his stories varied widely — in style and content. He also did not respond to notes left.
Then he submitted a story I vaguely recognised, about a Japanese woman named Oiwa, trying to escape an arranged marriage. I copied a few lines and put it into Google. Sure enough it came up. It had been replicated word for word.
I reported it, removed him from our publication and blocked him.
Of course, I have no real way of telling whether it was a he or a she — it could’ve been a bot for all I know.
Takeaway
If a new-to-you writer who is also new to your platform starts inundating you with well written material, doesn’t respond to notes, and ignores your stated submission guidance — do a check for plagiarism.
Remember, discovered plagiarism puts not only the plagiarist at risk — but also your publication in jeopardy of getting banned.
