Hey, book-besties, hang on to yer garters for we’re spilling some of the juiciest literary scandals of 2025 (with a few throwback gems for extra spice!).
These aren’t just headlines… They’re the kind of drama that makes authors sweat and readers clutch their pearls. It shakes up trust, creativity, and the stories we live for. From AI fakes to plagiarism meltdowns, here’s the tea, served with facts, and a whole lotta heart. Let’s dish!
The Chicago Tribune’s AI Book Blunder (May 2025)
Imagine scrolling for your summer TBR, hyped for a new Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, only to find out it’s fake. The Chicago Tribune got busted for publishing an AI-generated reading list with nonexistent titles like Reid’s Sunlit Promises and Andy Weir’s Starless Void.
Bookstagrammer Tina from TBR, Etc., blew the whistle, and X lit up with fans calling it “a lazy cash grab.” Authors were livid—their real work got overshadowed by AI slop, while readers felt duped, questioning every rec list they’d ever trusted.
Why It Matters: For authors, it’s a gut-punch when media prioritizes AI over human creativity, making it harder to stand out in a crowded market. Readers, you’re left wondering if your next book pick is even real. Pro tip: cross-check recs on Goodreads or Book Riot to avoid getting burned.
Lena McDonald’s AI Prompt Oopsie (March 2025)
Fantasy author Lena McDonald had a rough spring when she accidentally left an AI prompt (—“Write a magical battle scene with dragons, 500 words”—) in her self-published Darkhollow Academy: Year 2. Yikes!
Readers caught it, and the book’s rating plummeted from 5 to 3 stars. Publishers Weekly reported fans felt cheated, like they’d bought a hollow story. X debates raged: “…is AI-assisted writing a tool or a betrayal?” Authors started double-checking manuscripts, while readers sniffed out that human spark.
Why It Matters: Writers, this is a wake-up call to be transparent if you’re using AI—your rep’s on the line. Readers, it’s a reminder to value the raw, messy magic of human storytelling. Check those author notes for AI disclaimers! Few use them but they should be compulsory in this age of technology.
Cait Corrain’s Review-Bombing Catastrophe (2023, Resurfaced 2025)
Cait Corrain’s 2023 scandal still stings. This debut author used fake Goodreads accounts to tank books by authors of color while boosting her own. Naive me didn’t even know this was possible! When exposed, she lost her agent, deal, and cred.
The drama resurfaced on X in 2025, with @carolinekwan calling it a “jealous mess.” Book Riot detailed how it crushed marginalized authors, leaving readers betrayed by fake reviews they’d trusted for their next read.
Why It Matters: Authors, yes marketing sucks but ethical promo is the only way. As you see, cutting corners can torch your career. Readers, remember YOU’RE the gatekeepers; keep an eye out for shady reviews and lift up diverse voices.
American Dirt’s Cultural Misstep (2020)
Jeanine Cummins’ American Dirt, a novel about a Mexican mother and son, was hyped with a seven-figure advance and Oprah’s nod. But Latinx authors and readers slammed its stereotypes and cringed at barbed-wire centerpieces at events.
NPR covered how it exposed publishing’s bias toward white-authored “cultural” stories. The fallout still haunts – with authors of color fighting for space globally and readers craving authentic narratives they can resonate with.
Why It Matters: Writers, dig into your own truths—authenticity wins. Readers, seek #OwnVoices books to hear stories from the source, not a filtered lens.
How spilling the tea on literary scandals affect you…
These scandals aren’t just gossip, they’re personal.
Readers invest time and heart – trusting books to deliver truth – only to feel betrayed when the system falters. Authentic, dedicated authors pour their souls into their creations. Brave, patient and stubborn enough to continue trying to make a difference (despite a brutal, cut-throat industry) only to battle imposter syndrome, market noise and then get sidelined by AI fakes or unethical peers.
Writers, please stay real – your voice is your power! Readers, you’re the supersmart heartbeat of this community, demanding stories that mirror authenticity. Yes, every sport does come with injuries but let US keep the book world honest… one page at a time.
Blobs of literary love, Zee
♥PS: Got your own literary tea to spill? I’d love to hear from you!