Cait Corrain, a 30-year-old American writer and artist from Los Angeles, has recently become embroiled in a significant controversy.
The controversy revolves around her involvement in an online review-bombing scandal, specifically targeting authors of color. This controversial move has triggered widespread backlash on social media, jeopardizing her professional standing.
Compounding Corrain’s challenges, it has come to light that both her literary agent and U.S. publisher chose to sever ties with her just ahead of the scheduled release of her highly anticipated sci-fi fantasy novel, “Crown of Starlight.” The repercussions of her actions are not only affecting her career but also impacting her public image.
Under mounting pressure and facing threats to her professional life, Cait took to her Instagram account to issue an apology. In her statement, she attributed her regrettable actions to struggles with mental health issues.
Cait Corrain’s Attempt to Undermine Fellow Authors
Cait Corrain, gearing up for the release of her book “Crown of Starlight” in May, recently admitted to orchestrating a deceptive plan involving eight fake social media accounts. Despite initially placing blame on a friend, she confessed to her wrongdoing in a social media post.
In her apology, Corrain cited struggles with substance abuse and a severe mental breakdown earlier in the month as contributing factors behind her actions. She revealed that the fake accounts were created during this breakdown, causing harm to authors like Molly X. Chang and Bethany Baptiste, who were targeted with one-star ratings.
The scandal came to light when bestselling author Xiran Jay Zhao exposed 31 pages in a Google Doc, unveiling Corrain’s fabricated accounts dating back to April. Zhao underscored Corrain’s extensive efforts to appear genuine by rating numerous books.
Consequences have been severe for Corrain. Her publisher, Del Rey Books, dropped her upcoming novel—a reimagining of the Ariadne and Dionysus tale. Additionally, her agent, Rebecca Podos, terminated their professional relationship. It’s evident that a simple online apology won’t rectify Cait’s situation.
Cait Corrain’s Family Background
Cait Corrain, born in Georgia in 1993, spent her childhood on the East Coast, and details about her parents remain elusive. Her early passion for storytelling fueled her desire to create imaginative worlds of her own.
After completing high school, Cait pursued her education at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia. Opting for a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts with a specialization in Sequential Art, she embarked on a creative journey. Expanding her knowledge, Cait delved into the intriguing realms of Art History.
Cait Corrain’s Career
While Cait Corrain is currently facing criticism for her actions against fellow writers, it’s noteworthy that she initially ventured into the TV industry before transitioning to the literary world. As disclosed in her Goodreads bio, Corrain dedicated a portion of her career to working in film/TV.
However, she made a decisive leap, leaving the entertainment industry to pursue a career as an author with Penguin Random House, securing a contract with the renowned publishing house.
Her book, “Crown of Starlight,” was on the brink of release when the scandal surrounding her false reviews erupted, prompting the publisher to terminate the deal.
