I’ve seen now that there is a new word floating around on the ‘Net: “griggs’d.” To wit: “1. To use content on the web without permission, then request payment from original author for rewrites and editing. 2. To remain ignorant of plagiarism, ethics, copyright, and asshat behavior.”

The offending language from a now notoriously sleight-of-hand cookbook editor to a writer seeking compensation for publishing her work with neither permission nor compensation amounts to an instant classic.

…Honestly Monica, the web is considered “public domain” and you should be happy we just didn’t “lift” your whole article and put someone else’s name on it! It happens a lot, clearly more than you are aware of, especially on college campuses, and the workplace. If you took offence and are unhappy, I am sorry, but you as a professional should know that the article we used written by you was in very bad need of editing, and is much better now than was originally. Now it will work well for your portfolio. For that reason, I have a bit of a difficult time with your requests for monetary gain, albeit for such a fine (and very wealthy!) institution. We put some time into rewrites, you should compensate me! I never charge young writers for advice or rewriting poorly written pieces, and have many who write for me… ALWAYS for free!”

I predict that this woman Judith Griggs will one day be rich.