'Of the three editors of the University of Florida's new literary journal, two have been accused of borrowing from other writers' works without crediting them.

Indiana University Press has recently withdrawn a biography written by Mark Mitchell , managing editor of Subtropics, citing failures to acknowledge another writer's contribution to his work. David Leavitt, a respected author and fellow editor of Subtropics, faced a similar situation in 1994 when he was accused of using information from a British author's memoir for his novel.


... Sidney Wade, Subtropics' poetry editor, said she did not think the allegations against Mitchell and Leavitt raise any concern about whether they're suitable editors of the journal. Mitchell is primarily responsible for finance and administration, and Leavitt is responsible for selecting the works of other authors for publication in Subtropics, she said. Neither task concerns the content of their own work, Wade said.

"I just think they are completely different baskets of eggs," she said. "A journal is not dedicated to bringing out their work; it's dedicated to bringing out someone else's work."

IU Press withdrew Mitchell's biography from circulation in October. Leavitt, who has won acclaim for his writings on gay themes, was accused in 1994 of borrowing material from British writer Stephen Spender's memoir "World Within World" for his novel "While England Sleeps."


... Jill Ciment, a UF English professor and friend of Leavitt's, said it's unfortunate that people can make allegations and create an environment where legitimate writers can be painted as unethical.

"We're going to lose people like David and Mark," she said. "It's going to make people not want to work in universities or start magazines."


... Pamela Gilbert, chairwoman of the English department, said both Mitchell and Leavitt have solid reputations that are not eclipsed by questionable charges.

"The whole question (of whether they're fit to edit the journal) starts to seem a little bit silly," she said.'