I’m sorry. I really am. I know it’s a great story. But here’s some reasons why I’m not thrilled by your offer to let me read it.
I do read fast, but I have a lot to read. I’m reading for the Norton Award this year, which has meant an onslaught of books. I’m reading to stay abreast of the field and so I can make intelligent award nomination decisions. And I’m reading for my own pleasure.
You’re not asking me to read it, really, but also to critique it. That takes time, and even just a little crit is a piranha-like bite out of a day already besieged.
You’re asking me to do it for free. I charge to critique stories. Right now I’m not taking any, because I want to focus on my own work. The same goes for Kickstarters asking me for crits as donation incentives this year. I got bit in the butt with a bunch of these all at once, and it’s just not working for me. I’ll revisit this policy in 2015.
You may not want to hear what I have to say. A few years ago someone pressed a manuscript in my hands, and I took the time to go through it pretty thoroughly and explain why it wasn’t ready for primetime and what changes needed to be made. The recipient made it clear that he’d been wanting to hear praise and market suggestions. That was a bit discouraging.
I am not in a position to publish your story. If that’s what you’re hoping, I’m not currently editing a magazine and the couple of editing projects I have coming up are pretty specific in theme. It is extremely unlikely that I will read your story, shout “Huzzah!” and send it off to another editor saying they should buy it.
If you absolutely must have me read your story, you do have the option of taking my workshop. I offer plenty of classes and there’s new sections of both the Writing F&SF Stories and the Advanced Workshop opening soon.
This is hard for me because I have a difficult time saying no to requests. But they add up into vast piles of undone work that dampen all productive effort. So despite all the convulsions and pain this is causing my inner Midwesterner, who desperately wants to be polite… save us both the trouble and send it to your crit group. At least for now. Okay?
11 Responses
It’s great that you’re stating your policy (for lack of a gentler, more personal word) up front and in public. I think a lot of people — novices especially — don’t realize how many requests established authors/teachers get or how much effort it takes to review and comment on a piece of writing. Many years ago, I was friends with an author who was a creative writing instructor, and I asked him if he’d read a few chapters of my novel and give me feedback. At the time, I really didn’t comprehend what a big favor I was asking, and I cringe a little now when I remember it. Now that I’m wiser, I’d never ask a pro for that kind of time donation — and I won’t ask anyone to beta read unless I’m willing to reciprocate.
Yeah, I think you’re right – people don’t realize that the favor to them is part of a big pile of potential favors. And there are a few people I really don’t mind doing this for, but they’re usually friends that are established writers, and I’m reading the stories for enjoyment. It’s the out of the blue “I love your work here’s my story please read it” requests that are simultaneously flattering and dismaying.
At one point I was called a “soulless critiquing machine” as a bit of praise. And I try to advertise that to avoid the buyer’s remorse that you describe above. But yet it still happens…
…but for me as a publisher (multiple hats FTW), that also means that if a fledgling author asks for a critique, gets a critique, and then can’t handle it, then it means I can safely disregard them.
It is impossible for writers to too early acquire the rhinocerous-like hide that lets them survive rejection.
To be clear with my tone: I’m not talking about people who are hurt by (unexpected) criticism – I’m referring to people who throw tantrums and declare how you’re *wrong* and “didn’t read the story right”.
And I realize I didn’t clarify: I make a BIG deal about differentiating – even with friends – between “would you like to just share the story with me, or do you want feedback? And if you want feedback, how intense do you want it?”
Because you’re right – rejection sucks. Critique of your story can suck. And if you’ve come up with any teaching tricks to help others separate critique of *story* from critique of *self*, please share! 🙂
Figuring out the other person’s expectations is important. I try to be pretty clear about the fact I’m not going to pull punches.
At least you’re more polite about stating your policy than this guy: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2009/09/i_will_not_read.php
Ha! I love that post. It explains why it’s a dick move so clearly. But sometimes people don’t know they’re being dicks.
As a psychotherapist (can I just have a bit of advice, please?) a blogger (can you post this on your site please?) and a knitter (can you knit me a sweater please?) I know exactly where you’re coming from. A hand knitted sweater, for instance, takes 10s to 100s of hours in addition to materials costs. If I was planning to knit you one, you’ll get one. If not, buy one off the rack (it’s a heck of a lot cheaper, even if I were to only charge you $10 per hour) or learn to knit.
Exactly!