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When another author has published the exact same book as yours

25th May 2018 By Abidemi Sanusi

It’s every writer’s worst nightmare. You pour out your blood, energy, sweat and tears into your new book, only to find out that another author has published the same book as yours. In some cases, even down to having the same character names.

What would you do?

I haven’t got all the answers, so I asked the Universal Mind (also known as Facebook) for answers:

How to protect your book idea

First, the art of the snarky:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

Then, people started sharing their stories:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

I’m sure that this happens a LOT:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

Interesting points of view on the value of researching your book idea:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

Although, sometimes, doing your research is not enough:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

Still thinking about writing your first book? Here’s what Jacqueline had to say about leaving it too long:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

A beautiful story of how authors should be gracious and kind to one another:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

When you’re more of a futurist than an author:

When another author has published the exact same book as yours book ideas, book writing

And there you have it: there are no right or wrong ways to react when you discover that another author has published a book with pretty much the same idea as yours. Some people soldier on while others abandon ship completely.

Whatever your decision, know that, like all things, ‘This too shall pass’.

You may also find this useful:

  • How to write your first book
  • What is copyright?

Also published on Medium.

Filed Under: BOOK WRITING Tagged With: book ideas, book writing

About Abidemi Sanusi

Author. Content Strategist. Entrepreneur. Owner and founder, abidemi.tv (yup,that's this website). Nominated for Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Writes inspirational fiction as Levi Read. Featured in the BBC, Guardian, Independent on Sunday, Reuters. A bit of a foodie.

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