I don’t have time to savor this thread in its fullness but I do have a story to share, and it will also mark it so I can read it at my leisure. :DA long time ago in a city not that far away, I handled letters to the editor for a small hometown newspaper. I was pretty skilled at dealing with letter writers who wanted their letter in Right! Away! and I’d genuinely do my best, but there were times I just couldn’t help. There’s one I’ll never forget - it's very similar to elephantschild's situation above, which I just noticed.

).
I got back from lunch to find three phone messages (in the course of an hour) from the same person. We didn’t have voice mail then so these were little pink slips, and our receptionist had covered the last one with exclamation points. I called the person back right away. This is
approximately the conversation that followed:
Him: “I must get my letter in before the next meeting of Yourtown City Council - I have information they must consider.”
Me: “OK, let's see. Oh, wait - you know the next meeting is tonight?” (I was thinking he’d say “Oh, I meant the next meeting after that.”)
Instead, he sighed, as if I were stupid.
Him: “Yes. That’s why I called you.”
Me: “OK, sir, you know we’re a morning newspaper, right? We won’t publish another edition until tomorrow morning.”
Him: (long pause.)
Him: “Oh."
Me: "I'm sorry, sir.”
Him: (another long pause)
Him:“Well, how about if I fax it in? Or I can read it to you and you can take dictation?”
Me:
*headdesk*(He was not pleased at my recommendation to actually go to the council meeting and read them his letter.)
elephantschild We've definitely had the experience with the reporters who write epics for a 13-inch hole. What are the editors supposed to do? Make the paper longer? LOL.