Barb, that sound verrry problematic to me. What does your lawyer say? I would think you'd want some kind of letter or official document that you could serve her with that basically says she has no legal rights over the professional use of YOUR name. Because she WILL continue to try and limit how you use your own name until she runs into a very large brick wall with it.

Lawyer Guy and I are taking the weekend and putting together a strategy. Basically, he doesn't think she'll try to take this to court because a judge will probably laugh their ass off at it. She's claiming stuff in her letter like she's written over 25 novels & novellas and hit the NYTimes Bestseller list & the USA Today Bestseller list without bothering to clarify that she hit those lists as a member of an anthology with other, better-recognized and higher selling authors than she. The tenor of the letter was vaguely aggressive, condescending, and downright insulting and I'm not at all happy about this so yeah, I'd like to put a stop to this.

I think the thing to go back to, honestly, is the first letter she sent, which specified the website as a source of contention. I've already agreed to address that issue, so they have no right to be making any further demands. Period.

I hope that works, Barb. Of course, she didn't have any rights to make those demands either.

Oy, Barb.

I definitely need a new computer. I've been thinking for a while that I need a new computer, but now, I just tried to set up a new printer. The computer immediately recognized it, so I tried to see if it would print without me running the software, but no go. So I inserted the CD, and my CD drive ate it. It won't run it, but it won't eject it, either. Argh.

Barb, this woman sounds batshit, and also like someone whose parents never taught her that she can't have absolutely everything she wants in life. Wishing you all the best with your strategy with your lawyer. At least it sounds like she isn't going to win this one.

Ikea is indeed evil incarnate, but it also has so many wonderful things all in one place. It is simultaneously a magical wonderland full of beautiful bookcases and the source of all marriage breakups. (The Girl is putting together my Billy bookcase in the next room. I approve of this particular function of Ikea.)

Sorry, Hil.

Barb? I'd sue her ass off, but that might be just me. I think you and your lawyer are right about this issue, and you'll get the freedom you deserve to use your own name on your own books, without further craziness.

Aw, I love IKEA. I would go as far as to say that it is actually awesome incarnate.

Printer is now working. CD drive is not. Good enough for now -- time to prep classes for this week.

I actually enjoy assembling furniture (not ATM, of course, but normally, when i can, like, bend over and stuff) and like the plain pine ikea stuff. (my living room is surrounded in Ivar shelves AIFG) I've gotten two great bedframes there, both under $80 made of solid pine and delightful. The trick with ikea furniture is to always have a power drill handy, as sometimes "pre-drilled holes" aren't full drilled and trying to do it all by hand would kill one's wrists. I may also just be insane. Going there in person, however, because OMG so annoying, always takes the majority of a day.

eta: one of the delightful things about the unfinished pine is that if you happen to leave a candle burning on a shelf, a little too close to the next shelf up, your whole living room fills with the wintry smell of toasting pine. a pleasant reminder to move the fire.

erin_obscure, I hate flare-ups! May yours pass soon.

Same to Seska and anyone else in pain!

I must start cleaning out stuff and organizing stuff and packing stuff. It looks like I'm moving, ready or not.