I've posted several times about this plagiarism issue. Having been kind of behind the scenes as the story has unfolded, it's been a sad and fascinating journey.
As a further update to the drama, Rachel Nunes (the author who was plagiarized) reported that she had been in contact by Army veteran Chase Weston about the article he wrote that Rushton also plagiarized (you can see details in John Dopp's post here).
The Westons were appalled to discover what had happened. Mrs. Weston wrote an open letter to Tiffanie Rushton and asked Rachel to post it (you can see it here). It's heartbreaking to read.
And if that wasn't bad enough ...
Last week I posted an update that included a list of plagiarist Tiffanie Rushton's sock puppet names. You can find the post here. Someone who appeared to be a parent of one of Rushton's students posted in the comments that the names of the sock puppets were children from Rushton's class!
I notified Rachel, and they were able to check the school's yearbook and, sure enough, they were. At the request of that parent in a subsequent post, I redacted the surnames of the students. John Dopp, when he found out about it, did the same on his post.
I understand that Rushton--finally--has been put on administrative leave by her school district. Once again, a plea to everyone not to attack the woman. It's in the hands of the court now. Others could be taking action against her too.
I hope this raises some discussions at family dinner tables about plagiarism and identity theft.
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On a happier note, I spent the weekend at the iWriteNetwork writing retreat. Something fun that we did was do the "beats" from Blake Snyder's Save the Cat while we watched the movie Iron Man.
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| View from the front |
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| Kitchen and One Gathering Area |
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| Hot Tub and Grill - Yum! |
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| Gathering on First Night |
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| Almost the entire group. |
What did you do this weekend?
Glad everything is finally being exposed now in that case. So weird.
ReplyDeleteGreat place for a retreat. Blake's fifteen beats are so helpful when creating a story.
It was a gorgeous locale, and the weather was wonderful.
Deleteahahhah love the kitteh and the dog in the last pic!
ReplyDeleteHaha The photographer added that. :D
DeleteWow, she deserves everything that she gets, using kids names in her class should get her canned forever. lol cat and dog love
ReplyDeleteFun addition to the picture.
DeleteSuch an awful situation. You have to wonder if the woman has undiagnosed mental issues. So sad.
ReplyDeleteBut what a great retreat you go to go on. Fun!
You're not the first person to wonder about that.
DeletePlagiarism... a terrible thing to do to an author who has spent time and more time making a story his/her own. Shame on all plagiarists. I hope justice will be served. Nice retreat! I totally vegged this week-end.
ReplyDeleteYes, and people don't realize how it impacts the victims. I certainly did not.
DeletePlagiarism definitely is not a victimless crime. Learning about all the emotional trauma that poor soldier has gone through after learning that a very personal real life story that he shared was stolen (to say nothing of it being used in an erotic novel) should be more than enough to convince anyone (who has a brain and an ounce of sympathy) of that fact.
DeleteGlad it's getting straightened out. Even worse than plagerism is the identity theft with people's credit. I've been involved in some cases it wasn't even possible to completely fix. And very costly if you have to pay an attorney.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a fun weekend.
Very costly indeed! That's why there's the GoFundMe account.
Deletehttp://www.gofundme.com/StandingAgainstPlagiarism
Thank you so much for helping to keep us all in the loop.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had some time away!
Heathre
It was so fun. I love the total immersion into writing that I get at a retreat, and there's something so energizing in being with a group of like-minded people.
DeleteWhat a terrible situation that just keeps getting stranger and stranger.
ReplyDeleteThat retreat looks great--what a setting!
The colors are changing already, making it even more gorgeous.
DeleteAs a parent with a daughter at the school Rushton teaches at, I feel such a wave of relief that something has finally been done! I know we don't know each other, Donna, but I'm grateful you have kept people in the loop with this! The members of my ANWA writer's group have been very concerned about it so I've been grateful for the updates!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you must. What an appalling situation to find yourself (and your children) in.
DeleteSuch a gorgeous retreat. You're very lucky to have a supportive community so close.
ReplyDeleteI really am, Donna.
DeleteThanks for the update! I'm glad the school district is doing something to protect the students. The whole story is terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a great retreat!
Thanks about the retreat. I was so fun.
DeleteFunny how the truth sometimes sounds more unbelievable than fiction. Also, nice pictures:)
ReplyDeleteWow @ the sock puppet names. This woman really went all out with that and plagiarizing from books and articles.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.