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Statement

24/4/2015

11 Comments

 
Hi everyone. I have been saddened this past couple of days to have received several messages from 'followers' of another colouring blog, whom I won't name, alleging that I have 'stolen' the idea of reviewing colouring books. It was also phrased to me as 'stealing someone else's clientele'. I have found this bullying behaviour quite stressful, and frankly to have so much hostility directed towards me for doing something I love has been extremely upsetting.

I'd like to make a statement to those people who have messaged me, and the blog they have come from. 

Anyone can review any product, unless someone has obtained exclusive reviewing rights with an author or publisher. If this is the case, the publisher/author will inform the person of this fact when they make a request. Since I began this blog, I have been in contact with many, many different authors and publishers, NONE of whom have said they have given exclusive review rights to another party. The authors/publishers I have communicated with have gifted me review copies HAPPILY, many of them contacting me first. 



Let me reiterate: Unless an agreement has been made with an author/publisher,  NO ONE owns anyone else's work to say that they are THEIR products to review, or THEIR clientele alone.

Something I have been repeatedly accused of is liaising with the same publishers/authors as this other blog. The Adult Colouring book market is fairly new, and not saturated with vast amounts of books as other genres are. As bloggers for colouring, we are BOUND to come across the same publishers and books, and as long as we don't copy and paste each other's reviews and market them as our own, there's no harm in that! It's a perfectly standard procedure for an author/publisher to receive many requests for review copies of their work.

When a person has a product that is suitable for review, they want as many reviews as they can get. It's all publicity, it's all good! Unless those reviews are a carbon copy of someone else's words, there is no copyright infringement. To review the same book as someone else has reviewed is not copyright infringement. If it was, Amazon would only allow 1 review on their products, as would Goodreads! 

No one is ever going to be the only person reviewing a line of products, as nice as that might be, because no one owns the market. There is always going to be other blogs popping up- especially in this growing trend that is Adult Colouring. Here's the difference: I welcome it. I love reading other people's thoughts on books, and seeing their beautiful colouring. I'd love for Adult Colouring to have hundreds of blogs, getting the subject out there and sharing it with the world. I love chatting with other colourers and the community that is growing with it. After all, isn't this all supposed to be fun and enjoyable?


Another thing that's barely worth mentioning but has been directed at me a couple of times is that I 'stole' the phrase 'pen porn'! I had a good laugh about that one, especially as I checked the blog just out of curiosity and couldn't find the phrase anywhere- not that a phrase can be owned by anyone of course, unless you're some mega corporation!

I'd now like to mention the people who have been supportive of me in this venture, and the lovely comments I have received on my blog and Facebook page so far. Your continued support is helping keep a smile on my face and my spirits up, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
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11 Comments
Cynthia Rockett
24/4/2015 09:55:47 am

I feel for you that you are having to deal with such negative people, but believe me, they are the minority. Review blogs are no new thing and it is ridiculous for anyone to act as though it was their original idea. There are actually quite a few coloring blogs and that's a good thing-it gives people different places to go and different perspectives to read. :-) Good luck with your blog and I am enjoying what I've read!

Reply
Claire
24/4/2015 11:04:56 am

Cynthia, thank you so much for your lovely and kind comment. It has cheered me up no end xxx

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Deirdre
25/4/2015 05:14:32 am

Pttpt! That's just silly! I think it's wonderful that you have your own site! Pooh to them! I have bookmarked your page and will check back often. Very clean and organized blog! =) love to you! =)

Reply
Claire
25/4/2015 06:44:25 am

Thank you Deidre, lovely to hear from you. I hope you enjoy the blog as it continues to grow :) Love back! Claire xx

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Wendy Piersall link
25/4/2015 12:48:00 pm

Gee. Pretty soon they will say that there should only be one mommy blog out there, or one gadget blog. SMH.

Reply
Claire
25/4/2015 01:04:12 pm

I know Wendy, it's ridiculous. Not letting it get me down! xx

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Tisha
25/4/2015 02:40:27 pm

Well some people in this world are just a negative waste of space and need to grow up and put their big girl panties on! If you have the permissions of publishers/authors I don't see the problem. Ignore them.

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Claire
26/4/2015 04:36:09 am

Very true, Tisha! xx

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Mel link
26/4/2015 05:00:19 pm

Hi Claire
Thank you so much for the follow on twitter. I look forward to going through your blog posts later with a cup of tea. :)
Although my current website is new I've been blogging for many years and I'm sorry you've had these issues. I remember when decor8 was one of about 3 design blogs - now look how many there are! And the woman behind decor8 actually runs a course on how to have your own decorating blog.
Just keep doing what you love. This has been my (long time to learn) lesson.
If it's okay I'll be in touch via email in the next couple of weeks to let you know what I'm up to. :)
Mel.x

Reply
Claire
28/4/2015 04:07:33 am

Hi Mel, thanks for your lovely comment, I'm glad to have your support. I just want to be friends with everyone and share this wonderful hobby, it's not a competition of who gets the most books to review or who gets in touch with someone first. Unfortunately this other party still thinks it is. Can't wait to hear from you! Claire xx

Reply
Ali Gibbs link
21/1/2016 11:08:27 pm

Wow that's heartbreaking :( I'm sorry someone was so insecure they felt the need to do that!

I'm the same, I love that there are a few blogs that review books because everyone will have different opinions and thoughts! I started mine because I struggled to find decent information about health benefits and releases specific to Australia, and even though it's not really big, it makes me happy to know that people enjoy it!

Keep doing what you love!

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©Claire Eadie 2015
  • ~Home~
  • ~My Story~
  • ~Mental Health~
  • ~Beginner's Guide to Colouring~
  • ~Tutorials~
  • ~Colouring Book Reviews~
  • ~Product Reviews~
  • ~Arts & Crafts Reviews~
  • ~Gallery~
  • ~Colouring Challenges~
  • ~Gemstones~
  • ~Charts~
  • ~Digital Painting~
  • ~Illustrator Interviews~
  • ~Media Appearances~
  • ~FAQ~
  • ~Contact~
  • ~Policy~