http://tem2.livejournal.com/120735.html

We, the Class of 2k8, are troubled by these misunderstandings. What threatens one writer threatens us all, and we should have voiced our concerns about these issues earlier. We regret that we did not. As first-time children’s novelists, we are learning as we go. However, we wish to be clear now: We fully support Jackson Pearce, the 2009 Debutantes, and all other authors with books debuting in 2008, 2009, and beyond.

We are not only members of the Class of 2k8; we are also part of the larger children’s writing community, and we value and respect that community and its members. We look forward, especially, to sharing the thrill of becoming first-time children’s novelists with other debut authors.

The Class of 2k8
Marissa Doyle, Jody Feldman, Lisa Schroeder, Jenny Meyerhoff, Nina Nelson, Sarah Prineas, Barrie Summy, Laurel Snyder, Debbie Reed Fischer, Nancy Viau, Kristin Tubb, PJ Hoover, Elizabeth Bunce, Jen Bradbury, Courtney Sheinmel, Regina Scott, Daphne Grab, Ellen Booraem, Donna Freitas, Terri Clark, Liz Gallagher, Teri Brown, Michele Barker, Brooke Taylor, Stacy Nyikos

You are not old enough to be a patent lawyer

Not sure what being a patent lawyer has to do with a trade-mark issue.

The whole idea of the “Class of 2k–” was to be supportive, not only of our fellow class members, but also of other writers. Being a debut author is tough enough already–we need to help each other any way we can. I hope we can put this mess behind us and get on with doing great writing and supporting others who do the same.

Michele

As an aspiring adult and YA urban fantasy author myself, I’ve always been pleasantly surprised by how close knit the communities of authors seems to be for both genres. That an author could even begin to think about making that type of threat against a fellow author’s career is just disgusting.

Jackson Pearce’s book was already on my books-to-buy-in-the-future list, but has just been bumped up to buy-on-the-day-of-release list. Her levelheaded response in the face of such an inflammatory email is enough to garner more respect from me. On the other hand, I will never buy a book written by Roseanne Perry. I wonder how much harm she has done her career by threatening someone else’s.

Also, your clarification of the argument that using “2k9″ in the context of a marketing coalition of writers for young adults might be deemed to constitute an infringement of a collective service mark is QUITE DIFFERENT from Ms. Parry’s claim that “2k9″ was your organization’s “legal trademark”–and, for that matter, substantively different from your earlier remarks in support of that claim.

You need to do better in future (perhaps when you have had a chance to welcome your new child and catch up on your sleep!) And I think that Ms. Parry should resign from your organization if she really wants to help it move past this regrettable incident.

Best wishes for the baby and its parents.

I find the “if” in that last sentence a bit… out of place.

There are editors everywhere!

Greg R Fishbourne said,

We do not threaten, bully, or undermine anybody else. That’s just not what we’re all about, and I can’t begin to express how sorry I am if that impression was given.

I find the “if” in that last sentence a bit… out of place. I don’t think there’s any other way to read that email but as a threat. No if anywhere in sight.