OpenAI Oakland’s Seat at the Table: Stolen, Suspended, & Missing 17 5- Stars Ratings!!!

Hello Author’s Den.

Please take a seat, as I have a story to share with you. And prior to starting, I want to express my sincere support for every author's book. Your creative endeavors and processes are not subject to evaluation by AI. You are important, and your work holds more significance than you may understand, especially when you wake up one day to discover that someone has taken your book without permission and stripped it of your title and your name.

For many years, I have frequented this place, immersing myself in the works of other authors and relishing every word. However, I must clarify something regarding the experience of being an independent author: there are individuals who genuinely believe we are not attentive to our own publications. They assume we are still lamenting over a traditional publisher's pink rejection slip. Furthermore, anyone who thinks they can appropriate a book from an independent writer is sorely mistaken. I have transformed into a one-woman version of Hawaii Five-O when it comes to overseeing OpenAI: Oakland’s Seat at the Table. The turmoil surrounding this historical book in just three months is astonishing. Are you prepared? A drum roll, please, for what follows will surely evoke laughter, gasps, and a tighter grip on your own book.

OpenAI Oakland’s Seat at the Table has been appropriated in Taiwan… Unbelievable! Let me share a true story: A podcast, which is registered as a corporation in Taiwan and has its legal address on Zhongxiao East Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, took my book cover, removed my name and title, and reissued it under the title "The Definitive Book on the Trial." I must admit, I find it humorous now, but when I first stumbled upon this, I found myself sitting on my sofa, staring at the screenshot, laughing uncontrollably. My dentures were perched in a pink cup, observing my breakdown. It was sheer madness. Here is the letter I sent:

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Carol Denise Mitchell, and I am the author of OpenAI: Oakland’s Seat at the Table. Your placeholder for my book has unlawfully removed my copyrighted name and title. You have published details of my work without my consent. The act of stripping my name while retaining the structure of my title has resulted in both financial and emotional distress. I expect this issue to be rectified.

A Book That Loses Its Reviews And there is more to the story. The day prior, I sent a letter to Goodreads after they inadvertently removed 18 five-star reviews from my book. Indeed — scammers were gracious enough to inform me, with the intention of offering me 'assistance,' as they believed my book had received only a single rating. Jamie commented: "I did notice that although the book currently has a 5.00 rating on Goodreads, it has received only one rating so far..." Oh my goodness. Goodreads has lost my 18 five-star reviews. My book was stripped bare like a 1970s stage performance in dire need of rescue, while scammers hovered around like well-meaning vultures, aiming to raise my scores. I sprang from my wheelchair and rushed to my computer, thinking, Not today, Goodreads. I have an ongoing giveaway — where are my reviews? Here is the message I sent to them:

Dear Goodreads Team,

I would like to address a significant misunderstanding. Your recent decision to "combine editions" has resulted in the deletion of 18 five-star reviews from my paperback and hardcover editions, merging them into a one-star profile for the audiobook. This situation is adversely affecting my book's visibility during an ongoing giveaway. I kindly request that you escalate this matter to a senior catalog manager and take the following actions: 1. Separate the audiobook edition from the print and Kindle editions. 2. Restore the 18 five-star reviews to the paperback edition (ISBN: 9798197538727). 3. Designate the paperback as the primary edition. 4. Re-link the giveaway to the appropriate edition. Comic relief ensued when Goodreads not only fixed the problem and returned my ratings, but they had the audacity to send me an “How did we do” survey!!!! LMAO.

A Book That Leads to Suspension As I reflect on this chaotic journey, I find myself laughing heartily. It all started on June 20 the exact day the book reached #7 in Media & Law, when X’s algorithm permanently removed it from the platform. There was no option for appeal. The message was clear: "Your account is suspended… permanently in read-only mode…" A Book That Perseveres The pain of that suspension lingers, yet the book continues to rise.

OpenAI: Oakland’s Seat at the Table has etched its name in history, overcoming numerous obstacles.

Although I am no longer young enough to be swatting down websites like flies, I persist in doing so. Independent authors maintain a vigilant perspective, and mine remains alert. Currently, the book holds its position on Amazon in three categories. More than 250 individuals have participated in the giveaway. Rather than feeling resentment, I cherish my book. I brace myself for the upcoming challenges with the spirit to continually fight for what’s mine. I monitor its progress. I safeguard it. And indeed, I find amusement in the scammers who inadvertently kept me updated on what Goodreads had done to my book.

OpenAI Oakland’s Seat at the Table is available at the link below. Amazon.com: OPENAI Oakland's Seat at the Table eBook : Mitchell, Carol, Mitchell, Carol D: Kindle Store

About the Author:

Carol Denise Mitchell

Carol Denise Mitchell is an acclaimed American author and the founder of CDMBOOKS, an independent publishing imprint that has flourished for more than forty years. Known for her fearless storytelling and her unwavering commitment to writing every word of her own work, Mitchell has built a legacy rooted in truth, advocacy, and emotional depth.