It was not a « pr-acola » but a systematic bullying and insult

After they have over writer Jacob J. Kendo were blown up by the allegationsWith the anonymous profiles on the Goodreads platform, he gave the lowest grades to individual books of Slovenian authors, and at the same time systematically spit on social networks, some profiles on the Goodreads « miraculously » disappeared.

Kenda denied the allegations and said that in his opinion they were writer – it is, among other things Ireno Cerar and Manco G. Renko – All together, to make a cheap commercial. Why the authors whose books are among the most read would need it is not clear.

Especially since there were quite a few people after the announcement, confirming the bullying. One of them is a journalist Maja fogwho blocked Kendo on the social network several years ago, which, according to her, indicates the systematics of his behavior. She said that the writer literally took over her publication and then answered her in an offensive manner. Very personally, he descended to the personal level even in the case of Cerar’s muddy.

To the response of Kenda about « just cheap PR », they responded, among other things, to UMCO publishing house, in which Irena Cerar published a book The shrines of nature. Editor and publisher of the book Only rugelj and Renate Rugelj They wrote that they have known the author for over fifteen years, that her books have been experiencing a great echo all the time, and that they did not « find, for example, that they would promote their work and books of other authors and publishers, »

In order to manage false online profiles for better promotion, it is completely foreign to both the author and the UMCO publishing house, which currently manages the author’s rights in this book. In order to evaluate Irena Cerar from the fake profiles of her book with the lowest rating, it is extremely incomprehensible, as well as needing a bad commercial as it is a book The shrines of natureas pointed out by Ruglje, among the readers and among the best -selling and borrowed books in our country. She also became the best book at last year’s Slovenian Book Fair.

Kend’s response to the allegations that it systematically muddies the author (albeit not only) and sabiting their books, so he surprised many (negatively). To prove that he was standing at the Goodreads grades, is virtually impossible. But as he pointed out Aljoša Harlamovformer editor -in -chief of Cankar’s publishing house and writer, « his harassment of ‘bookgramer’ is enough and indicates some broader systematic and chauvinist harassment, directed especially to women. For the most part, men have been given his trolling, arrogant and offensive comments, while his harassment is obviously really focused on a colleague. « 

There are dozens of people on the list of people to whom Kenda has taken. If, in the beginning, women remained anonymous, as they had enough of their verbal outbursts, they are now advertising with their names. Days ago (first) encouraged the editor Nina Kozarwho revealed on Facebook systematic spit on the Goodreads platform and also wrote who, in her opinion, is behind him. Under her publication, there were comments from readers who, like her, were the target of Kend’s offensive comments.

Jacob J. Kenda. Photo: Jože Suhadolnik

No more collaboration with Kenda

That such work should be stopped are clear Renate and Samo Rugelj, who wrote that « digital traces cannot be deleted and that there are numerous screen capture in different network accounts, from which it can be inferred from these posts or who is hiding behind them. »

They added that false profiles could only be one side of the shameful Kend’s activity in recent years: “Through his online comments or in direct communication, he systematically insulted and humiliated many people from the world of books, from readers and readers to librarians, from authors to authors, from translators, journalists and journalists to editors and editors. As a proof of such an activity, there are many online statements and captures that have been submitted in recent days. We can confirm that at least three authors who publish at our publishing house and several translators we have worked with or cooperate with. « 

They had to break contacts with him and block him on the online network, like Maja fog,. Kenda also blamed the UMco publishing house, although years ago, when he was just entering the Slovenian book space, he was assisted in the publication and promotion of his first hiking book. As a very problematic, editors and publishers therefore described the writer’s work, which « throws a bad light on publishing and culture in general, which they find in times when part of the society is reluctant, even more problematic. »

The first step – deleting bad ratings on the Goodreads platform – is done, whether behind Kenda or anyone else. Aljoša Harlamov responded to the « affair » with the record that he would no longer cooperate with the writer, at least not until « he accepted responsibility for his actions, apologized and did something to correct his humiliating, pink, miserable and absolute violent behavior. »