Julie Barrett is a freelance writer and photographer based in Plano, TX.

Thinking of asking a published writer to read your manuscript?

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Tuesday, January 23, 2007


This is twice in as many days I've linked back to a John Scalzi blog. Today he has some very good advice for unpublished authors. I particularly like reasons 4 and 6, though all of them are excellent.

The best way to get an author to take a look at your work is to attend a workshop. The worst way to get an author to look at your work is to send your stuff unsolicited. Next worst is to bug the author in person. I once had someone hold up an autograph line while I patiently explained why I couldn't look at this person's work in progress. Fortunately I had an excellent (and true) reason: I was working on something that covered similar subject matter. What if this person were to accuse me of plagiarism down the road? I couldn't take that risk. I simply explained that it wouldn't be a good idea and in the end it wouldn't be fair to either of us. I'm afraid that person left massively disappointed and probably thought less of me after that encounter. I hope that on reflection (and experience) that person doesn't think I'm really evil or was picking on them. It really is easier to give a gentle "no" via e-mail than face-to face. At least it is for me.

If someone wants to hang out and talk writing at a convention, that's one thing. I learned a lot early on (and still do today) by hanging out in the con suite and talking - or just listening.

I may carry my WIP with me, but it's not for public consumption unless I'm reading an excerpt for a panel. Usually I'm editing. I'm making notes. Often I DON'T want someone else to see it in the state that it's in. It's like begging someone to look at my messy office. Oops. I did that yesterday, didn't I? ;-) Not really. There was an invitation involved. Which is sort of the point I was trying to make.

Gotta go get the tire fixed on that car - and work on my own WIP while I wait in the lounge. Better than elevator music.

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Karen Funk Blocher said:
I left Scalzi a comment; thanks for the link, because I don't over to Whatever very often. Unfortunately, the temptation to bug an established professional for free advice is a strong one. I've bugged Scalzi a time or two myself, albeit not that blatantly or for that massive a favor.
Date: 1/25/2007 12:03:02 AM Date: 1/25/2007 12:03:02 AM

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Julie said:
Ah, but you're well aware that there's a proper time and place to ask questions.

One of the wonderful things about the comment trail on blogs is when I realize that I've been less detailed than I should have been in my remarks. This is one of those situations so I'd better try and rectify it before I look like to total prat. (Yeah, I do a pretty good job of looking like an idiot quite often, don't I? [grin])

Like every writer who has found some measure of success (as modest as mine has been), I am indebted to other writers for the help they've provided along the way. I'm still learning. I'm also very happy to provide assistance and encouragement to other writers. That's the way this business works.

There's an enormous difference, IMO, between politely approaching someone for advice and believing that you're entitled to have your work read by an established author by virtue of the fact that the author has had some success.

THAT was what I was trying to point out, and with limited success.

Clearly, I need more sleep!
Date: 1/25/2007 9:48:50 AM Date: 1/25/2007 9:48:50 AM

Gravatar
Karen Funk Blocher said:
I left Scalzi a comment; thanks for the link, because I don't over to Whatever very often. Unfortunately, the temptation to bug an established professional for free advice is a strong one. I've bugged Scalzi a time or two myself, albeit not that blatantly or for that massive a favor.
Date: 1/25/2007 12:03:02 AM Date: 1/25/2007 12:03:02 AM

Gravatar
Julie said:
Ah, but you're well aware that there's a proper time and place to ask questions.

One of the wonderful things about the comment trail on blogs is when I realize that I've been less detailed than I should have been in my remarks. This is one of those situations so I'd better try and rectify it before I look like to total prat. (Yeah, I do a pretty good job of looking like an idiot quite often, don't I? [grin])

Like every writer who has found some measure of success (as modest as mine has been), I am indebted to other writers for the help they've provided along the way. I'm still learning. I'm also very happy to provide assistance and encouragement to other writers. That's the way this business works.

There's an enormous difference, IMO, between politely approaching someone for advice and believing that you're entitled to have your work read by an established author by virtue of the fact that the author has had some success.

THAT was what I was trying to point out, and with limited success.

Clearly, I need more sleep!
Date: 1/25/2007 9:48:50 AM Date: 1/25/2007 9:48:50 AM





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