I realize there's no copyright on ideas, and some of my own work has been based on public domain concepts like Shakespeare's plays.

However, it's tough for me to grit my teeth, initially, when I see a film (in this case, Daybreakers) using exactly the same idea I used. In this case, it was in 1996 for my short story Oomblaug Day, published in Parsec magazine. This mag has since gone under but I've posted my story, circulated it to friends, etc.

I know there's no way to prove they got the idea from my story - and probably didn't, directly. Indirectly? Anything is possible. What galls me the most is that the film's writers are being hailed as astonishingly clever for their concept: the undead taking over the world and having to manage humans as a food supply. Yes, it's clever - and I thought of it 15 years ago, thank you.

There stop the similarities, however. My undead are zombies instead of vampires. Oomblaug Day is a horror-sci fi-comedy satire set 50 years after zombies win and take over the planet. It follows Francis, a "livey", as he gets fired just before the most dangerous day of the year for humans - Oomblaug Day, commemorating zombie conquest.

The satire I wrote is very strongly feminist. Being a "livey" is a metaphor for being female. However, it's also about being a conquered people, generally.

I feel cheated when I think that I was just as clever as these guys but only got paid $100.

Grrrrr!!!!

Have you been through anything similar - and if so, how did you react?

I've included the first three scans here and the rest in a reply.