The Encyclopedia of Business Letters, Faxes, and E-Mail Sample: Dear Charles: I have a favor to ask. We are currently compiling a corporate history. It will be titled Balson Nuclear: Half a Century of Radiant Progress and will be privately pub- lished as a limited edition hardcover book by the corporation early next year. Its main use will be as a premium and promotion. You are a respected professor in nuclear engineering, and it was in your senior class that I learned much of what I needed to know to get hired by Balson. Would you be willing to contribute a brief (200- to 300- word) preface about the importance of nuclear energy as a current and future energy source? The company can pay you an honorarium of $500. In addition, your preface will be bylined, so you can add the book to your list of publications. You will also get five free copies of the book. Any interest? Please let me know. We would need the preface by June 20.