Comments on: Asking a Published Author to Read Your Work

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 12 May 2011 04:08:24 +0000

>I think that Whitney is exactly right. In general, I am not going to ask someone for a favor or a service I can't return. Asking doctors for a diagnosis when you run into them socially, asking a handy guy to come over and install some shelves, asking a published author to critique your work--people do all of these things all the time, but asking for someone's time and skill when you have nothing to offer in return is an imposition. Hinting lightly to see if they offer, there's nothing wrong with that. But I wouldn't push.

I'd say, if you need perspective, read the best books in your genre, all the time. Pick up Self Editing for the Fiction Writer, and Stephen King's On Writing (even if you don't like his stuff). Read good agent blogs.

By: Whitney Bailey

Whitney Bailey — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:07:11 +0000

>A point that I don't think has been touched on: the writer is expecting a normally costly service (editing) to be given for free. If you are truly seeking a unbiased opinion, that's what paid freelance editors are for. Critique groups and partners work because all parties are "paying" for the critique by providing at least on of their own. Asking a writer for a critique and offering nothing in return is (to me) akin to asking a maid to come clean your house on her day off.

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:18:45 +0000

>A critique group is absolutely imperative. I don’t know how I would get along without the two that I’m in. (I’m in two because of two different types of writing that I do.) They have helped me identify weaknesses and strengths, and that objective viewpoint has tremendous value. Plus, I get a chance to see their works and offer input too. Go with the critique group!!!

By: Shelly Goodman Wright

Shelly Goodman Wright — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:26:41 +0000

>A good critique group is so valuable. Not only do you get a critique from someone who does not know you, but you also get feedback on how or what to change.

By: Peter DeHaan

Peter DeHaan — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:24:44 +0000

>In my vocation, I am often viewed as an “expert” for that industry. I am frequently approached by people wanting my advice. Although I want to be helpful, I have learned two things: 1) these people generally don’t have a basic understanding of what they are asking and 2) they don’t want to hear or follow what I have to say. Their constant queries become so overwhelming and repetitive that I actually set up a Website to refer them to.This is for a small industry, so I can imagine that it is much more intense for writers.

By: RobynBradley

RobynBradley — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:16:38 +0000

>This is one of the reasons why I think most MFA programs have it wrong: authors don’t necessarily make good writing teachers or editors. I’ve often said the programs should get book editors to teach courses and guide students with their theses.

By: Marleen Gagnon

Marleen Gagnon — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:49:56 +0000

>I believe all authors want to know what a published author thinks of their work. But they have a life too and I respect them for all they have to do. Finding a critique group that gives honest feedback is hard. I have a couple people I know who can help me with a critique.

By: Claude Nougat

Claude Nougat — Tue, 10 May 2011 09:52:43 +0000

>Excellent post as always and the obvious course of action is not to bother writers. Perhaps asking for them to read the opening chapter (provided it’s good and short!) might be a good idea.What I think does NOT work is to join a crit group. That’s good to improve your writing abilities but of no use at all to obtain what the bookstore owner you mention was actually seeking: a recommendation…

By: Taz

Taz — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:22:31 +0000

>I have had an author of 30 published novels read my first ever novel (2002) and her feedback was that she liked it and liked the way I handled the conversations between characters because her feeling was this this can be hard to tackle as a writer. Her feedback was very encouraging and she also suggested a genre where I might find my niche. Still I was hungry for more critique.Last year I hinted to a different author to read something of mine but she didn’t take the hint so I refused to push because if her life is anything like mine, there’s nothing worse than having more apples added to the basket already overflowing, and since she is pretty well known and we do occasionally correspond, I didn’t want to take advantage or have her feel like I was. Yet she is very open to answering my Q’s and giving advice, which I appreciate SO much.This is good training for when I’m in her shoes, and I’d rather she say no if that’s the honest answer. Having said that, after more than 10 novels I finally feel like I’ve got what it takes! That’s huge, and the encouragement helps keep me there from the guys and gals who’ve gone before. They are in the position we hope to achieve, and it is more than nice to have their advice, no matter how great or small.

By: Rittle

Rittle — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:16:08 +0000

>Asking a published novelist friend of mine for advice has probably never crossed my mind…I tend to ask my friends who know the proper use of grammar and enjoy reading. I tried to use as broad a group of friends as possible to get the most diverse suggestions and comments as possible. 🙂

By: Jeff and Mary Johnson

Jeff and Mary Johnson — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:04:50 +0000

>Because all writers have a time problem–too much to do and too little time in which to do it–I would not ask a published author to read my writing and comment. But I do sometimes ask other writers and agents for their advice on things that can be explained quickly on my part and answered quickly on theirs. My own agent became my agent because someone I’d once asked for some other type of advice referred me to her.

By: girlseeksplace

girlseeksplace — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:29:23 +0000

>I don’t know any published authors, so it’s kind of a moot point for me. However, I can see where someone might want a published author to read their work, to earn that seal of approval from someone who has been there, done that.

By: Susie M Finkbeiner

Susie M Finkbeiner — Tue, 10 May 2011 00:27:07 +0000

>I agree with Phoenix. I think it is unfortunate that many on this thread think that newbies only want a gold star from published writers. It's simply not true.

I think, however, that one needs to inspect the way in which they critique another. Perhaps a little mercy and consideration (be nice when you tell someone that their story isn't good). Remember what it was once like to be unpublished and swimming in the slush pile.

By: Phoenix Sullivan

Phoenix Sullivan — Tue, 10 May 2011 00:18:06 +0000

>Oh my. I feel incredibly fortunate that of all the honest crits I've done on my blog and privately and for short stories for an anthology, I have ONLY ever gotten lovely, respectful letters (emails) of thanks. And many, many of those who've gotten critiques come back for another round or two.

Maybe I just run with an incredible group of writers who really do want honest feedback and know how to respond politely. I'm quite amazed that the perception here is that MOST writers only want compliments and not real crits. I'm normally a hugely cynical person when it comes to people in general, but my own experience doesn't bear out this bias. I'm really quite saddened that it seems to be the norm elsewhere.