No response
It is unfortunate that I have to give this a 'star' listing of any sort because I have no personal contention with this company's published material, I have never written for them, I don't know them etc etc., and so cannot objectively comment upon their publishing. That is not my issue. But this is … I am a professional writer of many years standing and am partner in a commercial publishing house. I am fully aware of GDPR requirements. I contacted this company in mid-January 2025 by telephone with a query regarding one of their writers. I am currently working on a book in which I mention the man. I have met him and his wife in person at my home; we have exchanged correspondences and books. We know each other. Shortly after we last met I learnt he had died. I have lost contact with his family so for reasons of professional courtesy (ie. citing him) I wished to confirm nothing more than his year of death. I was surprised to learn this company does not give such information. Curious; he is deceased, after all, so is hardly likely to complain. So, in line with standard practise, I asked if they could request his wife to contact me instead. They would not do that either. I was dealing with someone who was not prepared to assist me with my request in order to properly cite a fellow writer in a book. Which, per se, is odd. Especially as I have since found five separate publicly-accessible free-to-access sources that give me the information I sought. I have sent a written query to this company’s offices seeking an explanation for their reticence and, as at early February, have yet to receive any acknowledgement. By any yardstick this is poor practise. I am concerned by this organisation’s protocols and their complete lack of response. I offer no further comment other than this statement of facts and in the anticipation that it may prove helpful to anyone deciding whether to commit themselves.