Automated summaries - can an app be an author?

[Michele]

See https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... for example. Apparently Blinkist is some kind of service that creates brief (15-min) summaries of books. So, a few questions. First, is it appropriate for Blinkist to be listed as the author, or should it be some other role? Second, should the original author of a book be listed as co-author, or what? For example, surely Stephen Hawking should somehow be acknowledged on this item.

Thanks!

[Emily]

We would only list the original author as a coauthor if most of the contents of their book are included in the book. EDIT: That is rarely the case.
I don't think these qualify as books but I'm not sure.
EDIT: I did not see the ones with ISBN/ASIN at first.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

These are no different than the publications released by BookRags (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...) and many others. They do meet our criteria to be considered published books (at least, the ones with an ISBN or ASIN do; some others appear to have been added without one), but certainly should not have the author of the original works listed as co-authors.

And should NOT have the cover of the original work, either.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Ones that lack an ISBN or ASIN can be merged with a fellow (for the same original book!) that does, if one is here. Otherwise they can be NAB'd.

[Michele]

Thanks very much!