TUE 08/05/97 15:42 From: Jackie <donaldsonj@▮▮▮▮▮.com> To: Marjorie West <marjorieherself@▮▮▮▮▮.com> Subject: Rumors

Madge,

I've been trying to call you because I'd really rather discuss this over the phone, but you haven't been an easy person to reach. Without putting anything potentially untrue into writing, I heard a rumor about something you supposedly said to some people at a party this past weekend regarding where you got the idea for your books. I shouldn't have to tell you this, but if you know what I'm talking about you absolutely cannot repeat that ever again.

For one thing there are the questions of professional conduct it raises; I understand it wasn't "on the job" but it's the appearance that matters. Second, you never want to open the door to claims of plagiarism. Obviously you did the writing yourself, and I know you must have changed it significantly (and of course I'm not even saying the rumors were accurate or that you weren't joking), but if the origin of the book was taken from someone else that could come back to bite you.

Give my best to your family.

Jackie Donaldson Overdale Literary Management

MON 12/14/98 19:06 From: Jackie <donaldsonj@▮▮▮▮▮.com> To: Marjorie West <marjorieherself@▮▮▮▮▮.com> Subject: Recovery of film rights

Madge,

I got your voicemail, and I'm looking into what we can do but at this time I think the film rights are dead in the water. Typically if a producer was sitting on it the option would expire, but since you chose to sell the film rights outright they can just shelve it indefinitely. Worst case scenario they film a ten-dollar version with some college students every ten years and don't release it. If the third book does well it may force their hand, and with the series that shall not be named gaining popularity it could be they'll want this as competition to it but I can't say anything for certain.

I know we discussed the possible risks of going this route and I want to remind you that at the time you did feel that the extra money up front was worth that risk. In addition to that, I would suggest that this is a better outcome than seeing your creative vision butchered and then flop at the box office, as has happened to some other authors.

I am a little surprised that they've shelved it after such initial enthusiasm, though, and so I'm asking around and trying to see if there was some other motivation for it. So far it sounds like they just changed their minds overnight for no reason, but I don't buy that. Normally I would worry about them just stealing the idea, but with them owning the rights that wouldn't make sense. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

Jackie Donaldson Overdale Literary Management

FRI 02/26/99 10:37 From: Coelestis Acquisitions <intake@▮▮▮▮▮.com> To: Marjorie West <marjorieherself@▮▮▮▮▮.com> CC: Numen <gnumen@▮▮▮▮▮.net>

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Subject: RE: RE: Publishing rights for Jake Ross novels

Ms West,

I have attached the documents you requested, showing the legal transfer of ownership for your former publisher. This is a courtesy to you, as we have no legal obligation to explain ourselves to each individual author that is impacted by this purchase.

Your repeated inquiries regarding Jake Ross and the Shattered Crown have been noted, but our answer has not changed. While I understand your confusion, which rights we maintain control over or release is an internal decision. The choice to retain publishing rights to your novel is final, as is our decision to cease printing and dispose of existing copies. As I'm sure your literary manager has informed you, any attempt to circumvent this and self-publish or otherwise release the novel will be met with legal action.

Warmest regards,

Agent 0144 Coelestis Acquisitions

MON 03/29/99 08:12 From: Jackie <donaldsonj@▮▮▮▮▮.com> To: Marjorie West <marjorieherself@▮▮▮▮▮.com> Subject: RE: FWD: RE: RE: Publishing rights for Jake Ross novels

Madge,

When you're right, you're right. I'm sorry I doubted you, but they clearly have it out for you and I have no idea why. I've tried to look into the company, but it's impossible to track down the anyone that knows anything. Not what else they've been buying, who the owner is, nothing. They're stripping the publishing company for parts and selling everything but your book so far as I can tell; all the other pending books have been sold or released back to the authors. The only thing still on the list isn't even fiction, it's a technical manual for some programming language called XCog+ which doesn't fit with anything else the company has done. Is it possible you made an enemy at some point?

You've got the copies we sent over, and there are the boxed sets we gave away at the release party, so at least it hasn't vanished entirely. I wish I could say something more reassuring. I was sure we had a clause in there for rights to revert back if they refuse to publish even if it would have taken a few years. I remember explaining it when we read over the contract together. But I know you checked your copy, and I checked mine, and there's nothing. I can't imagine how that got dropped out without us noticing, but the people I would be threatening over it are all fired anyway and we can't really prove anything untoward happened.

My advice? Get back on the horse, write something new. A whole new world, new characters, everything. The heinous witch has children's fantasy pretty locked up - people are going to see through her act one day, mark my words - but I know a publisher that's looking for some soft sci-fi with fantasy elements, think Star Wars for kids. I think you could really get in on the next trend from the bottom floor if you do it right. We'll get through this.

Jackie Donaldson Overdale Literary Management

FRI 10/03/03 20:04 From: Jackie Donaldson <jackie.donaldson@▮▮▮▮▮.net> To: Marjorie Ross <madgeross@▮▮▮▮▮.com> Subject: Coelestis Acquisitions

Marjorie,

It's been so long I almost didn't send this, but I think you have a right to know. After all this time, I ran into someone that had worked for Coelestis Acquisitions and they gave me a loose thread to pull; I felt like I owed you, and frankly I was too curious for my own reasons, so I ended up hiring a corporate detective of sorts.

Coelestis is owned, in a very roundabout way, by the man you accused of kidnapping your son. When the old email address bounced my message back I stalked you online a bit and saw you finally gave up and took your husband's name after all these years, and I was thinking about offering my congratulations right there on Facebook but instead I saw a post you made about your son getting a job at Worthington Hardware Company which doesn't even seem to be a hardware store? I had to make sure it was the same one, but sure enough. This random store full of antiques is also owned by Coelestis.

I don't know what it means, but I assume your son isn't aware. I've attached a full list of the businesses that I was able to establish they own (or owned), but beyond that I have to let this drop. I simply wouldn't know where to begin dealing with this; I doubt they've committed any actual crimes, and it's virtually impossible to get through to anyone even if you wanted to. I know it's crazy for me to drop this in your lap after three and a half years and then tell you I have nothing useful to suggest, but as I said I think you have a right to know.

I hope the return to your old profession is treating you well, but if that writing bug ever bites you once more I'd love to have you as a client again.

Jackie Donaldson Literary Guide, Solarist Management

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