Yup, this sort of thing really does happen, all the time. Long post follows, but the tl;dr version is this: yet another guy who thinks I should write up his idea and split the money with him. At least he was polite: === Dear Mr Sawyer, we have not met before. My name is XXXXX XXXXX and I am a resident of Toronto. I am also a science fiction fan and am aiming to reach the Mississauga sci-fi event in order to meet you in person. I am hoping to speak with you in person for a few minutes during the lunch hour if possible. I have something important to share with you and hope to show it to you during that time. Tomorrow I will call the Central Library to reserve a place for myself. I am just emailing you to let you know in advance so you wont be surprised to see me and what I have to share. Looking forward to meeting you sir and hope you acknowledge my message. With best regards. === My reply: Youll have to be more upfront than that. This is a celebration of my lifetime-achievement award, and Ill be surrounded by people Ive known for a lifetime. The little bit of free time in the schedule Ill be spending with well-wishers. What precisely do you wish to discuss? Forgive me, but Ive had people try to corner me at public events to press manuscripts or crackpot theories on me; I have to be wary and guard my time on this special day. All best wishes. === His reply: No its nothing like that. Its something I want to show you and seek your honest opinion. Based on what you just told me, you have every reason to be wary. If its a bad time I can always hope to meet you at a time more appropriate for both of us. Perhaps at a writing workshop in Toronto. If I were to send it to you on email I feel you might prejudge it. I feel showing it to you in person and asking your opinion would get a better response. I have no intention to ruin the event. I planned on attending it because its about you, and you are just the person I wanted to see. Im not a journalist or anything like that. Im a fan. IF you insist on seeing it, Ill send it. However I think its best shown and discussed in person. Again Im a fan, not some nosy journalist or anything like that. I apologize if my message seemed so abrupt and gave you the wrong impression of me. Best wishes and Happy Thanksgiving === My reply: Thanks for your response. I make no promises about next Saturday. Whats on offer is a bargain: six hours of high-level programming featuring four bestselling authors, all for free. Thats all I can guarantee if you come to Mississauga; its not an opportunity for private consultations. And I warn you now that if what you want to show me is a manuscript or any other sample of your own creative work, I will have to decline to look at it, on the advice of my attorney. Sorry. === His reply: Alright since you were open with me on this and made a close guess, I may as well tell you. Being a sci-fi fan that I am, I had the idea to write an outline for a story.. I had the crazy idea of giving it to a professional author to write up and keep all the credit since I have no desire to attach fame to my name. I was even hoping to let the author keep all the profits minus a small percent. But over the last few days I became aware of how silly this was starting to seem. Anyways sorry to have wasted your time, though the attempt was educational for me. Regards === My final reply: Best of luck, XXXXX. The reality is that ideas are easy; the marketable skill is executing them. You wont find any already-published author looking for someone to give him or her an idea; weve all got plenty of our own -- the problem is finding time to write them all. See: sfwriter/beginner.htm All best wishes.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 06:28:33 +0000