GRIPE TIME

We now yield the floor to a worthy comrade in the globe-spanning network of CHEAP TRUTH shills. Leaping from ambush behind the smoking office xerox, it's that two-fisted voice of reason, Your Friendly Editor, Mark Theroux.

You people out there think that all science fiction editors do is talk on the phone, go to lunch, and attend conventions. Not so. Large amounts of time are spent coddling and placating writers who want to know "when are you going to run my stuff," "do you think anyone will like it?", "I'm stuck in the middle...." etc. (You know who you are.)

That's okay, it's what we're here for. What editors hate is ungratefulness. Take for example the author with whom I spend hours of ofice time going over a ms that had potential. I felt sorry for the writer because he was only in town for a few days. I liked the story and it was a slow day.

The rewrite didn't work and I rejected the story. Never got a thanks. Next time I heard of that writer he's making a big public stink.

Or how about the writer who asked for, BEGGED for editorial comments on his ms. I wrote a three-page editorial letter, single-spaced, made suggestions, and what did I get back? A two-page personally and professionally insulting harangue criticising my solicited comments.

Another time, I asked someone for a change in the beginning of a story. The author said sure. I got back the ms with the same beginning but with a different ending (worse than the original). I'm convinced that some writers cannot hear what editors say (and you know who YOU are, too.)

Or how about the writers whose prose cannot be TOUCHED without permission. Don't change a comma, period, colon or misspelling -- or else!

I don't care how long you've been writing or how famous you are, you can't be objective about your own work. Stephen King is a prime example. Yeah, he's successful, but boy, does he need an editor. Someone who can spot the inconsistencies, the repetition, the lapses of logic in plot or characterization. Editors aren't trying to destroy your words, your thoughts, or your reputations, you paranoid idiots. They're trying their damnedest to make a good piece of work better, a potentially great story or novel live up to that potential. That's what a good editor can do. Really, we're on your side.