Wow, what a week! So all the brouhaha that started with a Cease and Desist letter I got Wednesday seems to have come to a satisfactory conclusion. As other authors began to hear about it, they got a smidge riled up over the whole thing and suddenly it seemed to be everywhere. (At least to me, as my phone kept declaring new emails/texts/tweets coming in faster than I could keep up with them.)
Well, long story short (long versions can be found on boingboing, here, and The Passive Voice, here) it appears to have died a quick death. Fighting Gravity posted the following on their Facebook page:
To Leah Peterson and her fans: Disregard the cease and desist letter that was issued by our lawyers. Although imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, some people have taken that too far and we have had to deal with it. By no means is Leah Peterson one of those people, our lawyers were just doing their jobs and trying to protect our name and trademark. We wish the best for Leah and hope her book becomes a great success!
(In case you’re looking for it, it has since been removed, though I assume that has to do with the fact that it was attached to a post by someone else that highlighted, albeit respectfully, a negative issue that I personally wouldn’t want on my FB business page either.) But I’ve also had assurance in a private message that I’ll receive an official retraction from their lawyer next week.
So looks like it’s all over, folks. And to everyone’s relief and satisfaction, I think.
Personally, I think Fighting Gravity has been very professional and gracious about the matter and I wish them all the success in the world.
And thank you, most especially, to my fellow authors who took up my cause and came rushing to my defense when it looked like it might become a very unpleasant situation. You guys rock, every last one of you.
I know this won’t be a comprehensive list, because I’m confident I didn’t find every expression of support or defense of my position, and for that I apologize. But here are some who I know went to bat for me:
Jesse James (heehee)
Several people on Facebook posted on Fighting Gravity’s wall but I don’t have their names because the posts were removed pretty quickly. I’d like to thank them and the many people who tweeted about it. Two in particular have my thanks for contacting others they knew could help:
There’s a lesson to be learned here, I think. In brief: Don’t piss off authors. They’re not only feisty, they’re articulate. 😉
Thanks again everyone!
If any of you know someone who deserves recognition for their efforts on my behalf, please give them a shout-out here.
Very pleased it all worked out. Now you can drink margaritas and read free comic books all weekend!
Jesse James Freeman recently posted..I am the Interstellar-Bodhisattva + Billy Purgatory still FREE
To paraphrase an old saying, never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel, not even if much of that is eInk.
BigAl recently posted..Author Interview: M.P. McDonald
I’m late to the party it seems 🙂 glad to see it worked out, even if it’s a predictable outcome.
Claire Ryan recently posted..Five on Friday: Indie Author News
Love the saying, Al. Thanks everyone for weighing in and for your support!
Leah Petersen recently posted..The Prodigal’s Foole RE-RELEASE Day!
Congratulations to you that everything worked out well. cheers!
Juliette Ayot recently posted..Achat d\’un télémètre laser
If any of you know someone who deserves recognition for their efforts on my behalf, please give them a shout-out here. Thanks for sharing..
Claire recently posted..Why Can t I Become Pregnant
It is good to know that all is well. Good thing that cool heads prevailed in this case.
Daniel recently posted..guitar song books
Nice post. To paraphrase an old saying, never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel, not even if much of that is eInk. Thank you for sharing..
Ella recently posted..Low Carb Diets That Work
Well, that was a nice return letter. They could have left you hanging but they did the professional and admirable thing. The excitement is indeed over Leah, let’s hope you don’t run into anymore of that sort of excitement eh?
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