Idiot Wind

Someone's got it in for me.

Just a quickie today to say that if you saw the recent interview in an online journal that I was mentioned in, it’s full of lies, not least of which: I am not “like 70,” I’m 57. I was in my 40s when the incidents in question took place.

I’m being vague here and not linking to the piece because I don’t want to poke the bear. My attorney, who represented me in the case related to this, in which my journal was subpoenaed, has given her blessing for me to be more specific. But I’ve decided first to see if the online journal will honor my request to have the mentions of me publicly retracted and removed.

The interview was brought to my attention this week by a few different people in the literary and digital media worlds. On some level, it’s probably best for me to ignore it, but I’m very upset about it, and struggling to focus on my work.

Also, I would have thought most reasonably-minded people would have disregarded the interview given the subject, but a well-known author I respect reposted it on Twitter (okay, X) and unfollowed me. That has made me want to set the record straight, even vaguely.

So, yes, if you’ve seen the piece, please don’t believe a word in it about me. If you have questions about it, you can reply to this email with them.

And, hey, listen, if you run an online journal and you interview someone who complains about anonymous accusations, maybe do a little fact-checking before you publish their false accusations. Contact the people with whom that interview subject has an axe to grind, so they can respond.

You know, Journalism 101.

Distractedly yours,

Sari

***P.S. I’m not going to post this on social media, and I ask that you don’t either. I wanted to set the record straight here, but I really don’t want to engage with the person in question. Thank you.***

Bonus:

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In other news…

I wrote about a good writing day for Cynthia Newberry Martin’s newsletter, How We Spend Our Days.

HOW WE SPEND OUR DAYS: September 2023