So a major group of Arab investors quoted about 410 words from a post of mine on Gristmill without attribution. They are working with the company I wrote about; so they did not need the research; obviously they liked the wording. They are a generally unpleasant group, so part of me wants to be an asshole about this.
But it was a post I never expected to be paid for, and all they need to do to make it fair use is attribute it to me. And really I'd much rather get the credit and the free advertising than have them take it down - which means being tactful and friendly I guess.
I hope they attribute it properly without any hassle, Gar.
I need a hand. Anyone in receipt of a nice rejection letter? I find myself in need of one and can't, for the life of me, think of the right way to say "hell no!" that won't be crushing.
I appreciate your interest in (whatever). Your (insert something from cover or resume here) is an accomplishment to be proud of. However, I have filled the position. (You can put a little more detail if you think there is some constructive criticism here if there is some to offer). Good luck in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
You
Here's a blog post by an agent, about her rejection letter. The previous post has more discussion, too. [link]
I should have specified, it's for publishing their work, but I think I can work with that. Thanks Daisy.
I'm weirdly obsessed with agents' blogs.
I read that one too, but I've been a little swamped lately--completely missed that post.
I'm sorry I wasn't here, Deena! I do pretty good rejection letters -- after a while I had it down to a science to include something positive (and specific) about the work, as well as one or two good reasons for why it didn't work for me (por the market).
Not that I ever liked writing them, mind you. Except to the complete wackos who wrote whole novels about their pet lizard's nihilsm, or a pair of sugar-addicted nuns who painted pornographic Easter eggs and made billions, or things like that.
This one doesn't fit in a kind of way that those don't fit. Though not quite that psychedelic, sort of Tailchaser crossed with Animal Farm, with albinism and a lot of anthropomorphism.
