Hilary Sledge, writer and Anne Rice

The following is Hilary Sledge's contact with the author Anne Rice.

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26 October 2008 14:00
Subject: Rewriting Blood Canticle

Anne,

A couple of years ago I had the idea of rewriting your novel Blood Canticle and have finally finished. I have tidied up the plot and changed some character names (Mona becomes Sharona, for example). I have a publisher who is interested and we were wondering if you would be willing to read an extract and perhaps provide a quote - as I think this would make more people buy it.

Kind regards,

--
Hilary Sledge, Writer

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26 October 2008 15:49

Re: Rewriting Blood Canticle

I'm sorry, but what you have done is a violation of copyright law. You do not have my permission to "rewrite Blood Canticle," and you cannot publish what you have done. I am sorry that you acted apparently without realizing what you were doing. I am forwarding this letter to my lawyer so that she will be aware of what you have attempted here, and again, let me assure you, you must stop with what you are doing with my book. Anne Rice.

--
Anne Rice

http://annerice.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnneRiceDotCom
http://www.youtube.com/user/annericesite

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26 October 2008 16:00

Re: Rewriting Blood Canticle

Anne,

Thanks for the reply but I've finished it now and it seems a shame to not use it. Maybe I could strike up some sort of deal where I can put it online and ask for donations? Or maybe you'd like to publish it under your own name and we split the profits?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts,

--
Hilary Sledge, Writer

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26 October 2008 16:02

Re: Rewriting Blood Canticle

I'm sorry, but you simply are not understanding me. I want nothing to do with it. My work is my own, and it is copyright protected as mine, and I guard it as mine. I would never have anything to do with the illegal project you are describing and you really should find out something about copyright law and also the integrity of writers. If you knew more about these subjects, you would not have done this. You cannot use this material if it is as you describe it, and I want no contact with any illegal attempt to do so. Again I am sending your letter to my lawyer. Anne Rice.

--
Anne Rice

http://annerice.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnneRiceDotCom
http://www.youtube.com/user/annericesite

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26 October 2008 16:02
Re: Rewriting Blood Canticle

Anne,

You've made yourself very clear, which is a shame as I've worked hard on this project. I've thought hard about this and have decided to rewrite it so that it's set in space and rename it to Blood Canticle in Space. Looks like I have many more late nights ahead of me.

Best wishes,

--
Hilary Sledge, Writer

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28 October 2008 22:18

CC: anneobrienrice@gmail.com, asteinecke@randombooks.com

Subject: Blood Canticle by Anne Rice

Dear Ms. Sledge: We represent Anne Rice. Ms. Rice has forwarded to me your recent email correspondence with her. I am sending this to you to make sure that you understand Ms. Rice’s rights under the copyright and unfair competition laws of the United States. As the copyright owner of Blood Canticle, Ms. Rice has the exclusive right to use all material and elements contained in such novel. Any use of such material and/or elements infringes upon Ms. Rice’s copyright. Since you acknowledge that you rewrote Blood Canticle, simply rewriting your book so that it is set in space will not remove the infringing material. Moreover, using the title Blood Canticle in connection with a book not written by Ms. Rice violates state unfair competition law. Accordingly, we must insist that you immediately cease and desist from any further work on your book, and that you not make such book available to any party in any medium. The foregoing is stated without prejudice to the rights and remedies of Ms. Rice and her publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., all of which are expressly reserved. Very truly yours,

Christine S. Cuddy

Kleinberg Lopez Lange Cuddy & Klein LLP

2049 Century Park East, Suite 3180

Los Angeles, California 90067

Direct Dial: (310) 286-3466

Fax: (310) 277-7145

Email: ccuddy@kllck.com

Please note new email address ccuddy@kllck.com and kindly update your records.

This message and any attachments contain information which is confidential and privileged. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive the same for the addressee), you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the information or materials contained herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender by reply email or call (310)286-9696, and delete the message. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to internet email for messages of this kind.

Thank you very much.

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29 October 2008 13:02

Re: Blood Canticle by Anne Rice

Christine,

Thank you very much for your email dated yesterday.

Firstly, I would like to point out that I am a Mr rather than Ms which was a constant source of ammunition for the bullies at school. This is partly what drives me on to be a best selling author one day.

I thought that space as a setting opens up so many possibilities that the previous book missed out on. I also plan to move the book away from, what the New York Times described as, '[the big] implausible twist toward the end.' My planned ending is both believable and surprising.

I'm not sure Anne realises the possibilities of this turning into a real literary classic. The fact that lots of different planets can be used instead of using a remote island will give my story a much more realistic quality. I'll leave you with the thought of Quinn (renamed Vin) journeying to Pluto with Sharona (used to be known as Mona), where things are not quite what they seem...

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Hilary Sledge, Writer