There is a “rule” in fiction that
there shall be no bibliography,
no resource listing
lest the reader confuse a fictional work
with a non-fiction work.
I’m working around this rule by
putting my resource listing in my acknowledgment page
but many fiction writers don’t have
as flexible a publisher.
So nothing is listed.
These writers don’t acknowledge sources at all.
Despite spending years doing research.
Despite using that research in their novels.
Leading to allegations like those
against historical writer Cassie Edwards
(these allegations go one step further into outright plagiarism).
Allegations that are easy to prove
due to the internet’s ability to phrase match.
What does this mean?
I believe the ruling of no bibliography in fiction
is about to be overturned.
And I don’t think that’s a bad thing.