Q 3/31/25

Adult Romance 84,000 words
Queried before reading the comments. Will let the query be and expect not to get a response given the very low rates.

Linked New Yorker article is behind a paywall. Archived (free) version can be found here

http://archive.today/sHeeq

There is a good article by the New Yorker that flushes out the current litigations. It's long but worth reading the entire thing. Don't skim read, do the work and fully read it. There's a lot of explanation for both sides throughout that should be considered. (There is a snippet below from another poster which is fair, but it's only 5% of the entire article, not fully contextual.)

Everyone involved weighs in and responds to some of the allegations. So, yes, there have been replies from the authors, agents, and editors involved. But also know that somethings probably can't be discussed publicly while this is still in court.

Also note, this is not a new suit, it was filed in 2022 but just got traction on social media via posts that are more click-bait fast-strike-witch-hunt opinions than well researched fact sharing. Do the research and decide what's best for you as a writer. (scroll down...)

If the claims are true, this is horrible and professionally unforgivable. If they are not true, this is a much bigger issue dealing with tropes, ideas, and genre similarities. Can someone sue for similar ideas? Either way, this is messy. No updates on the case yet, the court is still deciding.

Read entire article here: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/01/13/did-a-best-selling-romantasy-novelist-steal-another-writers-story

Oops, queried before reading the comments, (not a good idea) but the odds of getting a request are low so it's not something to fret about.
What was most concerning about the complaint (yes, I opened the link and read the charges) is that agent asked writer to write all the pitches and query letters and much more, which is the supposed to be the specialty of agents who are salespeople. We write the pitches to them, they IMPROVE on that by writing the pitches to editors. At least the good agents do. I've had agents before and worked well with them. What I read in the complaint (taking into account it was only one side) is concerning.
But I caution everyone not to assume the complaint tells it as it is/was. Anyone can be sued and there are a lot of disgruntled folks everywhere. It would be relevant to know what the court findings were if it did go to trial.

Wondering, has Ms. Kim had any reply to the article? I've not found anything yet.