As for my trivia, if you haven’t read the comments, they listed Beardsley’s time incorrectly. As Duncan pointed out, it’s even wrong on dickbeardsley.com. I sent an email to his website as well as the publisher and editor of the publication, which went something like this;
I enjoy your publication, but can't let you "get away" with your latest cover of Dick Beardsley. It's a great photo, but you may want to re-check the time you listed as the course record.
Thanks,
Chad
I just got this nice response.
Dear Chad,
Thank you, on both counts -- the compliment and the correction. As you might imagine, your note created some waves around here this morning. Nothing will freeze a person's innards like finding out they've printed something wrong and done it big, to boot.
I am completely responsible for printing the error. Unfortunately, I relied on Dick Beardsley's website and took it as the consummate source, without cross-checking at Grandma's site. The error on Dick's site is no doubt a typographical error.
This mistake hurts quite a lot, but I am very grateful to you for taking your time to contact us. I haven't yet fully decided how to handle publishing a correction, but will be posting something today on our website, and will consider how to handle it in the next issue. Do I have your permission to publish your name/letter, or would you prefer your correspondence to remain private?
Finally: I've always thought it mildly cheesy when a company sends out samples of its product in response to a complaint -- but all I have to offer you is a complimentary mail subscription. If you'd like that, please send me your mailing address and shirt size.
Sincerely,
Trudy M.
Publisher
This is a complimentary publication that you can pick up at the local running stores, so getting a free subscription is not a huge deal, but it’s a very nice gesture. Frankly, I’m surprised the no one else pointed it out to them.
Okay, I’ve gotten away with writing snippets from Running with the Buffaloes, but I haven’t forgotten. I’ll try to get back on track tomorrow.
Quote of the day:
“My feeling is that any day I am too busy to run is a day that I am too busy.” – John Bryant, deputy editor of the London Times
3 comments:
You know you wrote a great letter when you get a response from a publisher like that. Nice one.
Hey free shirt too! I'd take it ;)
Hope the running gets better!
Duncan, I don't think I'd describe it as "great." Kill 'em with kindness and then chew their ass out - that's my approach.
Liz, I think it's even a long-sleeve shirt.
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