<p>The article raises a lot of questions in my mind as to how much of a “packaged book” the nominal author actually writes–not just in this particular case, but in general.</p>
<p>I understand that the copyright on the “Opal Mehta” book is jointly held by Ms. Viswanathan AND the packaging company. Presumably this means that they did a good deal of the writing, but didn’t actually get cover credit for it. </p>
<p>This in turn raises lots of interesting questions about the whole phenomenon of ghost-writing and packaging in general.</p>
<p>And in turn, raises interesting parallels to the “packaging” of college applicants by expensive consultants like Katherine Cohen. Ms. Cohen’s bio page on her website highlights the following endorsement:</p>
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<p>EDIT: On further thought, I’m struck by the parallels to some of the plagiarism accusations against Harvard law school professors, who put their names on publications in which much of the actual research and writing was done by a small army of research assistants. Their role in creating the books only became clear when failures to cite external sources arose.</p>
<p>Apparently the K-12 textbook publishing industry works this way as well.</p>
<p>It seems that there are different criteria for choosing the name of the author on the cover VS. the name of the authors who do much of the actual writing. The cover author needs to have attributes which will help with book publicity and promotion and credibility, but may or may not need to do most of the actual writing.</p>
<p>“The first time I met Katherine, I told her that I wanted to go to Harvard. But when she asked me, “why?” I didn’t have an answer. Suddenly, I realized that perhaps I wasn’t as prepared for college as I had previously thought. Working with Ivywise helped me clarify my own goals and expectations regarding colleges.”</p>
<p>I wonder if she ever DID have an answer.</p>
<p>I am a published writer, an editor, and ran a publishing house. I have ghost-written my share of books. My job - as I understood it - has always been to “translate” the authors ideas into language elegant and forceful enough to engage readers. Many of the authors I have worked with are rather spectacular in their thinking, but have little or no experience (or expertise) in thinking about their audiences. That has always been where I come in. I have never “ghost-written” a book from scratch, nor had the writing reflect thought that wasn’t the author’s, though often that has changed or crystallized in further discussion. (I have edited fiction - but never ghostwrote any.)</p>
<p>There are also “authors” who are actually expert in oral communication - they are terrific at speeches, workshops, radio, etc. but can barely write an English sentence. I have worked with tapes to “translate”. In many cases, I have had no expertise whatsoever in the subject matter about which I am paid to “ghost-write”.</p>
<p>I am no fan of people such as Katherine Cohen and Robert Shaw. I believe that they cast a dark shadow onto the world of school counselors and related professions. Their activities are, however, more akin to the exploitative and abusive antics of beauty pageants coaches than to what honest and dedicated professionals do. If one group does not hesitate to order multiple surgeries, Cohen and Shaw are eager to reinvent a candidate by fostering dubious accomplishments such as participating in cynically paid for ECs or moving to a poorer school district. </p>
<p>Coupled with the fact that Cohen and Shaw are proud enough of their own version of plastic surgery to post the details on their websites, the saddest news must be that putting lipstick on a pig does work! It is obvious that the consulting have learned to live with their reputation; their bulging bank accounts must provide a tremendous palliative to the sting of an occasional scrutinizing eye. On the other hand, the good reputation of a “packaged” prince or princess might be hard to maintain, and their relative success as ephemeral as a Millie Vanelli original. Unfortunately, KV did not find her muse in the authors of “The Mirror Has Two Faces.” </p>
<p>This said, our society has shown to be quite forgiving of youthful errors. I sincerely hope that this will not happen in the case of the Opal’s “author” and that she will only be seen as insincere and unrepentant as the apology she offered yesterday. The good coach did indeed leave a profound mark on her prot</p>
<p>An interesting side-note is that adcoms claim to notice when applicants have been packaged by admission counselors. Well, KV seems to have been packaged to a fare thee well and not shy about admitting it. Did the Harvard adcom know it, and when did they know it? (I believe the attribution should be to the Watergate Committee)</p>
<p>Mini, I <em>have</em> ghostwritten a novel - and I’ll tell you from my experience that the author-in-name may have the story idea but he/she has none of the knowledge of fictional construction and language. If someone was accepted into Harvard because the adcom was impressed with a ghostwritten novel, it is indeed a travesty. The easy work is coming up with an idea. The real talent and hard work comes with the construction of it into a finished manuscript.</p>
<p>I’m obviously not against ghostwriting since I do it myself, but I do feel that it is dishonest of an applicant to submit such an “accomplishment” as her own. It’s one thing to present a ghostwritten novel to the public as entertainment and quite another to use it as a bonafide credential.</p>
<p>“An interesting side-note is that adcoms claim to notice when applicants have been packaged by admission counselors.”</p>
<p>The success of the package rests on the ability to make the students appear unpackaged. While unsuspecting parents might slave hours on producing the perfectly typed application, the “packagers” know to present a couple of documents in a handwritten format, or even plant an occasional typo. As far essays, while cheap coaches and web-based services produce the horrendous versions that have surfaced, the high priced gurus know where to find the ghost writers who will deliver a perfect essay that maintains the voice of a teenager. </p>
<p>The better the deception, the harder it is to catch.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine they knew it before they admitted her, but the whole packaging-applicants business strikes me as cynical and sad. </p>
<p>What sort of a message does it send to a teenager still developing her sense of herself when her parents tell her she needs to be “packaged” by hiring a high-priced consultant for her?</p>
<p>I’m struck by the parallels and contrasts to the story of another famous young author, Christopher Paolini. He wrote his first novel in his mid-teen years and his family supported him to self-pubish it and market it in a fairly amateurish way, making roadtrips to push the book at local bookstores around his region. Ultimately, it caught the eye of a big publisher, who republished it (with fairly minor editing, as I understand) and signed him to a multibook contract. He had been accepted at Reed, but decided to put college on hold to focus on his writing.</p>
<p>I understand his novel is coming out as a movie and a videogame (!) this year. Clearly, there must be lots of other collaborators involved in these derivative products, but one imagines he had a chance to develop his own voice in the book he originally wrote and published in obscurity.</p>
<p>Writing a book in the limelight of a $500K contract touted by a self-promoting college coach (while juggling the demands of freshman year of college) is quite a contrast to Christopher Paolini’s experiences.</p>
<p>Great point about Christopher Paolini’s work, Wisteria. His novel “Eragon” and the latest “Eldest” are wildly popular among middle and some high school students. He’s the real deal. </p>
<p>I think publishing companies look at someone like him and the success he’s had (and the fame and fortune) and think “we’ve got to find the next Paolini.” Lo and behold, a KV pops onto the radar, recommended highly from a credible source, and off they go trying to package and spin her into something she’s not (an original voice). </p>
<p>Christopher did it right though. He postponed college to focus on his writing. Would anyone have recommended he start at Reed and try to write a second novel? Where were the responsible, advisory adults in KV’s life?</p>
<p>The publishing business deserves accountability. As mentioned in the press reports re James Frey, fact-checking is almost nonexistent in book publishing. And over the past 20 years writers complain more and more that the (attractive, young) author photo on the back flap has become almost as important as the quality of the manuscript itself.</p>
<p>Hey, let’s not go overboard. She paraphrased/plagiarized 12 lines. The responsible adults in her life helped her get an agent, an adult (perhaps an Ivy graduate!), whose responsibility it is to advise his client about plagiarism. He packaged the book and found a publishing house willing to take it, for big bucks (he got a big cut.) The parents used the book (and the theme!) to hire K. Cohen, who did her job, and did it well. It is likely the parents made Kaavya use the earnings from her book to pay for Harvard. </p>
<p>Most folks would look at this as a terrific success story, with parents encouraging their kids’ iconoclastic view of things (and probably very different from their own), put her in touch with responsible adults - agent/packager, publisher, K. Cohen, and Harvard - and the kid took some (not very many, it seems) shortcuts.</p>
<p>Yes, she should pay for her mistakes (such as they are), and everyone has egg on their face (as they should). Such is life. Since there are plenty of Harvard (or other college) students whose greatest contribution has been to be born to the right parents (is there a word for trading on the gains of others?), I’d be a little bit slower to throw big stones when little ones will do just fine.</p>
<p>Megan McCafferty reported on her website Sunday that her latest book Charmed Thirds had reached #7 on the Wall Street Journal’s hardcover bestseller list. It had debuted on the NYT list at #19 the previous week. All of this was based on sales before this story broke. (She wrote last week that she was thrilled because she had never been on any bestseller list in the past.)</p>
<p>It sounds like the literary “misappropriation” has resulted in a good deal of free publicity for Ms. McCafferty. It will be interesting to see what happens to her book going forward. I would think that all this free publicity would propel her book even higher up the charts.</p>
<p>The author’s website is interesting–apparently her first two books got some critical praise from the American Library Association (inclusion on a list of top 10 books for “reluctant readers”), the New York Public Library, and an “Editor’s Pick” from Booklist. Those accolades weren’t sufficient to get her books on bestseller lists, though it appears her loyal readership has built up momentum.</p>
<p>Ms. Viswanathan’s book started at #32 on NYT list (without the benefit of a loyal readership, but surely with lots of money spent on promotion.) </p>
<p>It will be interesting to watch how things go forward.</p>
<p>Mini, I think you are being very, very kind. Upon final inspection, I am quite certain that the book will be viewed as the lackluster mumbo-jumbo of “borrowed” ideas, plots and words it truly is. If publishers were looking for a fresh voice and novel thoughts, they’ll have to look a lot farther. </p>
<p>As far as contrition and remorse, just as in the case of Blair Hornstine, her only regret is to have been caught red-handed. Sending her ill-gotten profits to orphans in Chennai and culling Blair’s opinion about a transfer to St. Andrews might be appropriate, and would be a good step on the road to redemption. </p>
<p>I have no idea if the book is any good (though the plot itself provides a good chuckle), and if “lacklust mumbo-jumbo of borrowed ideas, plots, and words” is to be the terms of arbitration, I think we can get rid of at least half of the Times bestseller list (wouldn’t bother me in the least! ;))</p>
<p>Bad writing is not a disqualifier for Harvard admission last time I looked (especially if it can be rewritten by a good packager!)</p>