Do you love to read? Are you in need of conquering your looming To-Be-Read pile? Than you need to join in the fun we’re having at the Dewey’s Read-a-Thon this weekend!

Going on at this very moment, I’m not participating in the “reading” aspect, but the “cheerleading” side of things. Yep, I am slowly making the rounds to all the participants to cheer them on and keep their spirits up through the full 24 hours of the Read-a-Thon. It’s fun and way more manageable for me being as I have two small kiddos at home and a pile of things to accomplish over the short weekend.

Are you participating in the Read-a-Thon? Do you need some cheering? Let me know and I’ll stop by!

After my post regarding protecting your blog against plagiarism I’ve received a number of requests about how to resolve situations that weren’t able to be prevented. So, in an effort to help my fellow bloggers out I thought I’d post a little of the information I’ve gathered in the past while dealing with these unfortunate circumstances. As such, this post deals mostly with the “what to do” after you’ve found the plagiarized material.
(*Disclaimer* I am not attorney nor do I claim to be one. All of the information you see below is primarily information I’ve gathered on my own without legal help. If you feel your circumstance is severe enough I highly recommend you seek out an attorney.)

I’ve had a few people inquire about how to approach a person you feel has plagiarized your work, as in “how do I word the email properly?” I thought the best way to do that would be to give you a basic outline of what the email should most likely say. (Please feel free to copy the email highlighted below for your use! I absolutely am giving you this quoted text to help you out.)

Hi (Insert name),

I’m contacting you regarding a post that I discovered that has me quite upset and hurt. I’ve recently found that you have intentionally/unintentionally(?) plagiarized my review of (name of the book) from my posts at (name of your site as well as other places it may be posted, ie. Goodreads) with no credit to myself for having written it:

(Link to your post. If you’ve also posted this at other outlets you may want to include those links as well because there’s a very good chance they didn’t pull directly from your site.)

(Link to their post)

As you can imagine, I’d appreciate it if you would remove the post from your site immediately. If the post remains and I hear nothing from you within the next 24 to 72 hours I will contact your hosting service as well as your advertisers to have further action taken. I appreciate your prompt action on this matter.

I would hope that you would take this matter seriously as I will not tolerate it.

(Your Signature)

Most of the time that I’ve used this or something similar the post has been removed almost instantly or relatively quickly. Some of the time the person is gracious enough to apologize for their errors and other times it’s been not so cordial. No matter how it happens, if this does the trick than fabulous!

So, you’ve contacted the party and they either don’t respond (with adequate time given, at least 72 hours) or they tell you they flat out don’t care. What do you do now?

First, determine who hosts the blog/site where your work has been plagiarized. This may be as simple as going to the site and seeing a “.blogspot.com” at the end of their web address, but quite often it’s not. The following is what to do in both circumstances:

You’ve found the website’s host! Now it’s time to file a complaint.

Click on the following links to fill out a DMCA request form based on the service provider where the violating post is hosted:
Google based site (Blogger, YouTube, etc.)
WordPress.com (Notice: There is a big difference between .com & .org blogs. Make sure you know before submitting.)

What in the world is a “DMCA” form?
Digital Millennium Copy Right Act (Links to the short version, thanks to the “all-knowing” Wikipedia.) is basically a protection against the theft of any copyrighted online work, including book reviews posted on your copyright protected blog. In an effort to help you protect the work you’ve put in on your blog many of the larger hosting sites like Google and WordPress.com have made it easy to fill out a simple form that often results in much needed attention to the matter. Again, I’m not an attorney, so I’m not guaranteeing anything, but this has definitely worked for me in the past.
Digital Millennium Copy Right Act (Links directly to a very lengthy legal pdf)

You can’t find the host by simply looking at the site’s name, footer or elsewhere on the site itself:
Domain Tools – Basically copy and paste the site’s main link “http://www.abcdefg.com” to discover who hosts the site. From this point you should have enough information to either visit the hosting site’s page and submit either a DMCA form or email them with your request. If in the case you need to email a hosting service, remember that they know just as little about the plagiarism as you did prior to searching for it and be polite. It will go a long way toward getting you the information you need or even having the posts removed quickly.

Still can’t find it or the form on the host provider’s site? Try taking a look at the DMCA Contacts list from Plagiarism Today. This is also a fantastic resource for current information on plagiarism and how to prevent & combat it, definitely worth a look!

Once you’ve filled out the form service providers are legally required to contact you within 14 days, though the longest I’ve waited is maybe two days tops. So be patient. Unfortunately, this is becoming a huge problem and you may be in line with hundreds of complaints that hour alone. Once they return your request with an answer or action I’m fairly certain it will either a.) provide you with a resolution or b.) direct you where to go next, which may unfortunately be to contact an attorney. Never (fingers crossed, knocking on wood) have I had to do this, that doesn’t mean every situation resulted in the material being removed it just came to a point where I couldn’t let it take over my life anymore. Maybe this is a wrong way of thinking, but trust me, it happens. It can also be costly, but there’s a chance you might see results and if that’s what you want then I say definitely contact your lawyer.

Hopefully this helps even a little bit. As time goes on I’ll most likely add to this post, so feel free to check back and reference it as needed. If you have any points you’d like to add or suggestions of things that have worked for you please add them in the comments below. Any extra amount of information helps, no matter how small. Also, if you have any specific questions please feel free to email me, I’m happy to help! (the1stdaughter at gmail dot com)

As many of my readers know I had the unfortunate circumstance to learn that a fellow blogger has recently plagiarized a review I originally posted over at Chick Lit Reviews. First, I’d like to express my gratitude to the book blogging community for their support and the kindness they’ve showed me since it’s discovery. I’d especially like to thank Natasha at Wicked Little Pixie for researching the matter and having the courage to share it. The post (my post) in question has been subsequently taken down from the blogger’s site and I have received an email in apology, which I do appreciate, in a way.

Why am I continuing to dwell on an already difficult subject? Well, because I need to bring this up…this blogger in particular was a “friend” and someone with whom I’ve talked with on Twitter quite frequently. This isn’t the first time I’ve been plagiarized, not by a long shot, but it’s definitely the most hurtful situation. But these things happen and as bloggers we need to do whatever we can to prevent it. It’s your work, your time and often your feelings…you should absolutely protect them!

First of all, here are a few sites you should already be using as well as a few suggestions for places to read up more about copyrights:

• My Free Copyright
• Fairshare – Which I was informed of by the wonderful Book Vixen on Twitter yesterday. Thank you! It’s set up so that it will send you notices of when your writing has been copied and where it went. So far it’s great!
• Creative Commons – What Copyright is best for your blog and why use it? Also, pick up an image here to use on your blog to tell visitors exactly which type of copyright ownership you use on your blog, because believe it or not there are different types!
• Whos.Amung.Us – Provides stats as well as basic information about the text and photos copied from your site live.
• Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge – Hosted by Pam at Bookalicio.us, she shared quite a few tips as well as ways to enhance your blog to protect your rights including the important adding of a copyright footer.

Now, all of this being said, be vigilant. As I mentioned before, this is your work and often times your feelings laid out there for the world to see, why not protect it? Also, be mindful of others. I may not have ever discovered this if it weren’t for the kindness of others who took the time to be brave and share. If you find something out of the ordinary that belongs to someone else it’s easy to send a simple tweet, email or even leave a comment with a link to the post in question. Remember though, this isn’t a witch hunt, just a common courtesy.

On the topic of writing posts and reviews, I want to state strongly that it’s of the utmost importance that you share your sources and never copy another blogger’s review. If you have a deadline or feel something needs to be posted, but just can’t make it email the publisher/publicist I know they will work with you. Your integrity is not worth it! In a way book bloggers are much like well known news media, and you can be certain that Matt Lauer isn’t cutting corners when sharing his information on the Today Show each morning. If you post a blog that references another blogger, make sure you mention them with an accompanying link to the post or site. Another thing, don’t read reviews of other book bloggers prior to writing yours. It was mentioned in the comments on Natasha’s post yesterday that Diana Peterfreund mentioned not doing this some time ago, but it’s something I’ve been weary of for a long time. Yes, read reviews to learn about books, and then do your best to forget the details. By all means don’t go back until after you’ve read the book and written your own review. No matter how hard you try not to something will seep into your review and you don’t want that. You want it to be your experience and your feelings that readers of your site connect with.

After all is said and done, I’m still hopeful. This has been a hard day, but on the opposite end a wonderful day as well. I’ve been held up and supported by an incredible community of book bloggers that I’m proud to say I belong to. We are unique and are such a force for good in the world. So no matter how hard things can be, I’m happy to be a part of what’s happening in the book blogging world and for all of the lifelong friends I’ve made, and that’s not even mentioning all the great books they’ve recommended to me! So thank you!

It’s that time again! I know, can you believe it’s already April and the semi-annual Dewey’s Read-a-Thon has arrived? I can’t. This time I decided to change things up a bit. I’m always overly involved in everything and last time I even helped out with hosting at the site itself. Well, this time I’m just plain old reading! And you know what? I can’t wait! I have piles of books I have been dying to read, a fabulous hubby who is giving me the “day off” to get in some much needed “me” time and a nice comfy place to take it all in. It’s going to be wonderful!

Here’s a general overview of what I’m hoping to read as well as possibly review (Because as many of you know, I’m way behind in my review-writing. I need a review-a-thon!):

Wrap-up Books (These are books I just need to finish-up and hopefully write reviews for):

• Under the Green Hill by Laura L. Sullivan
• Bibi by Judy Nill
• Hickey of the Beast by Isabel Kunkle
• Faking It by Elisa Lorello
• My One and Only by Kristan Higgins
• Time Witch by Jacqueline Corcoran

Starting Reading Today:

• The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen (For Chick Lit Reviews)
• Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
• Teeth by Various Authors including Cassandra Clare and Neil Gaiman
• One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street by Joanne Rocklin
• Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Sean Qualls
• Already Home by Susan Mallery (For Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading (My two kiddos, who need to get some great reading time in as well!):

• Quiet Bunny’s Many Colors by Lisa McCue
• What Kind of Fairy Is Merry Berry? by Lindsey Renee
• Press Here by Hervé Tullet
• Pirate vs. Pirate by Mary Quattlebaum
• Larabee by Kevin Luthardt
• Tumford The Terrible by Nancy Tillman
• Take Care of Me from A to Z by Harriet Ziefert and Tatiana Oles
• Wiggle! Like An Octopus by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback
• Balloon Toons: Zoe and Robot Let’s Pretend by Ryan Sias
• Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz

Okay, I know, pretty optimistic, but to be completely honest I’m not assuming I’ll get them all. I can certainly try though, can’t I? I’ll continue to update my post throughout the day and perhaps add one or two with mini-challenges and such, but we’ll see. I’m really hoping to relax and get caught up on a few great books!

What about you? Will you be reading this weekend?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

One of my favorite new book bloggers, Jamie from Perpetual Page Turner as well as Broke and Bookish, put together this fantastic year end survey. Truly, this was absolutely inspired as I was at a loss with how to summarize my year and all the fantastic reading I’ve done. So, when I saw her guide I was quite nearly jumping for joy! Now with that said I’m also a huge procrastinator, and of course my year end summary for 2010 is going up in 2011. Sorry!

So, without further adieu, my 2010 Year End Summary and thoughts…

1. Best book of 2010?
How do I answer this question? I mean really? This has probably been the hardest question of all. So I’m narrowing it down to my top picks (in no particular order) with links to my reviews…
Jumpstart The World by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien
Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart
The Naming by Alison Croggon

2. Worst book of 2010?
Honestly? I have a hard time answering this one because I hate to be negative about all the work that goes into writing a book, but there was one book, without question, that took the cake…
Boys Lie – How Not to Get Played by Belisa Vranich, Psy.D. and Holly Eagleson – Just read the review and you’ll see why.

3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010?
This is also really tough. I had a pretty decent year with most of the books I read being quite good. Unfortunately there were a couple that I just couldn’t seem to connect with and/or had me wanting more than I got…
Gone by Lisa McMann
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010?
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien – I had zero idea what to expect from this book when I went into it. Well, needless to say it ended up being a book I still think about and honestly am hoping the sequel comes out sometime in the very near future.

5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010?
The Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems – This is without a doubt our most read book series in the house. We now have about six books out of the series and every one of them was worth the purchase. The one that started it all?
I Love My New Toy! by Mo Willems

6. Best series you discovered in 2010?
The Books of Pellinor – I was able to host a giveaway in conjunction with a discussion opportunity and it’s ended up being one of the best series of books I’ve ever read. I’m almost completely done with the series and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially fantasy fans.

7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010?
Beth Kephart by far is my favorite new-to-me author. I have a few others, but Beth’s writing pierces my soul and helps me to find the peace I’m constantly looking for. I just love it.

8. Most hilarious read of 2010?
There were at least two, possibly three, I absolutely cannot do without…
The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook – Gross Junior Edition
Ivy and Bean: What’s the Big Idea? by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall

9. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010?
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

10. Book you most anticipated in 2010?
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins – And no, I didn’t even read it. Shock! I’m planning to very soon.

11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010?
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen – I loved the original cover, but the paperback is even more beautiful. If you can believe that?! Take a look:

12. Most memorable character in 2010?
Gaia from Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien
Maerad from The Books of Pellinor

13. Most beautifully written book in 2010?
Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart – I’ve said it already, Beth’s writing is beyond beautiful and if you haven’t read anything by her you NEED to. Besides, she has numerous books to choose from, there’s bound to be one you will fall in love with!

14. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010?
The Heart Is Not a Size by Beth Kephart – There is something about this book that I connected with so personally. It’s hard to even explain it fully, but it’s changed how I even feel about some things that have happened in my past. Well, all of Beth’s books do that actually. Not only that, but reading this book was my first connection with Beth Bephart and it’s one I’m extremely grateful for.

15. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read?
Anything by Beth Kephart or Catherine Ryan Hyde. I know this is getting old, but seriously. Both of them have over a dozen books out and their writing is something that just shouldn’t be passed up. Extraordinary.

Book Blogging in 2010 (optional)

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2010?
Tales of Whimsy – I love Juju’s involvement in the blogging community, not to mention the fact that her reviews are always fantastic! Besides I think she’s just an all around wonderful person.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2010?
Honestly? I’m not going to pick. I’m so overly critical of myself I could never pick one. How about you? I’d rather know which one you liked the most that I wrote?

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
I’d have to say my post I did for Share A Story Shape A Future – A Sticky Situation. It was all about my son’s obsession with sticker books and how we used them to help him understand the world around him.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)
Armchair BEA was by far the best event for me as a book blogger. There were only a few of us that started the event as something to do while everyone else was actually at BEA and we never expected the response we had. Not only did bloggers participate, but publishers and authors did as well. All in all we had almost 200 bloggers participating and we’re on track to do it again this coming year!

5. Best moment of book blogging in 2010?
Personally for me it was when I won the Best Kidlit Book Blog during Book Blogger Appreciation Week. It was a huge accomplishment for me and I still feel incredibly honored to be voted amidst the array of other kidlit book bloggers out there. Definitely something completely unexpected from when I started book blogging.

That’s it! I know, really long winded, but I wanted to do something to wrap the year up and this seemed fitting. Hope you enjoyed it and I’d love to know what your favorite read was last year! (Or your answers to any of the above questions for that matter!)

Can you believe it? It’s almost been an entire year since There’s  A Book came into existence! I can hardly believe it. Now, almost an entire year gone by, close to 400 posts will have been posted by the “official day” and so many great friends have been made.

It’s been a fantastic year and we want to thank all of our fantastic readers with a great contest. Details will be coming, but lets just say there will be books for every type of reader imaginable! To get the blogoversary celebrations started I wanted to get a little feedback on how we can improve things over the next year. Now, don’t worry, there is definitely something in store for you all by filling out a little survey below. Take a look:

$25 in Books!

Either by way of Gift Card or total value of the books sent to your home via the Online Book Seller of your choice. Open WORLDWIDE!

Details: One winner will be chosen at random after the contest closes. You MUST fill out the survey below (and provide your email address), comments will not count as entries. Only one entry per household. Survey/Giveaway is open WORLDWIDE. The giveaway will run from October 03, 2010 until November 15, 2010 midnight EST. Winner and Survey results will be announced on our Blogoversary November 23, 2010.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out the survey!