contentious issue

[Geoff Widders]

In 2001 Stephen King provided the British writer named Muriel Gray with an accolade that was placed on the front cover of her novel 'The Ancient'. Stephen King described her third novel as, "Scary and unputdownable. If you're going to read a single suspenser in 2001, make it this one."
I would like to draw Stephen's attention to a contentious issue that has arisen regarding Ms Gray's novel, the issue is depicted in full on my website 'hewasanutter.com.' I would appreciate the opinion of anybody who takes a look.
thanks
Geoff Widders

[fushingfeef]

Welcome to the board, Geoff. I haven't read either of the novels, but regardless she had no real basis to state that your book was written after hers. Perhaps that's what "her people" told her to say, but that's no excuse. It wouldn't have cost her anything to at least apologize to you.

[Bryan James]

Mr. Geoff Widders,

I don't really have anything to say.

[Damaris]

Welcome to the board. It's a shame Ms. Gray, and or her representatives, handled the situation as they did. It was very rude of her to call you "a nutter" no matter, as FushingFeef noted, what she may have been told about the situation. And it's always disheartening to see the justice system fail (been there), even on something so simple as setting a date. I think it's quite likely the Gray/Harper side - and, apparently, the justice himself - feared a ruling in your favor would open the door to a lengthy and expensive lawsuit about possible plagarism, and I can imagine how the thought of that would pucker a few sphincters. But done bun can't be undone. And at least you found us, where no one will call you a nutter ... unless you want them to.

[Geoff Widders]

thanks for the kind comments

Geoff

[Clustermugger]

I don't get it... how would she have gotten your material.. or was this just a fluke thing???

[Ryan002]

The judge's ruling was very poorly thought out.

Granted, the US has a judicial system based on precedent, but the guideline is to act as if every ruling made will set a universal precedent.

Clearly, the judge did not consider that he was merely setting up another dangerous precedent; that someone with more resources and a better legal team will be able to overpower any just and reasonable claim.

If I were you I'd be calling every tabloid, broadsheet and magazine I could get my hands on to tell the story.

[Dani~]

It's sooooo awful to be accused of something you are not guilty of. It can take over your thoughts and be distracting to your own detriment. I hope you can leave it and just continue writing. You've taken it as far as you can and who is she anyway? I never heard of her. (rhetorical question, don't bother to answer, don't want to give her more ink than she deserves...)

Don't obsess over this, bad as it is. It will fade and no one will remember it. Just keep writing don't let this woman derail you. Sorry about your costs, the justice system is not fair. Never has been never will be.

And welcome to the board hope you came here to post more than this..

[Bryan James]

It's a shame that he couldn't find professional legal assistance that would work on a contingency fee, given the fact that he had such a compelling case. Surviving summary judgment MUST mean that the case has merit! I imagine that he didn't contact one or maybe ten different firms that turned down professional representation without a substantial retainer fee.

Hopefully his active agent or current publishing company will assist him with these matters with his next great book.

I can't imagine why they didn't last time. I think he has a basis for suing his agent and/or publishing company for negligent representation, negligent misrepresentation, tortious nuttermaking, and other stuff that I'd have to look up if I was giving legal advice without laughing in my pants, which I'm not. Not giving legal advice, that is. The other part, a little.

[Geoff Widders]

Thank you all for your comments – you chaps tell it like it is – no such thing has happened in the UK – the British reticence has come to the fore, I’d heard of it but never before have I experienced it. God bless America!!

My inbox (on this forum) was cleansed of three messages (not by me) I was intending to reply this weekend, all I can remember is that John D wanted my website’s address - apologies.

I don’t want to single out any of the comments but can I say that to me (and my dad who has supported me throughout in this) they are absolutely heartening. The UK has produced little in the way of comfort.

I have now added further information to my website including a section showing that my work was a development of two novels I wrote that dated back to 1992. I have also added a short extract from my work, and link to the full novel.

Gentlemen, I hope you will find the time to return. Please continue to talk to me.

thanks,

Geoff