Don't Ask People Who Love You to Proofread Your Work

It seems natural. You write a few pages, or chapters, or a whole book, and you want a second opinion. So you hand your newborn literary baby to the person closest to you and ask him or her for feedback.

I mean, they're right there, right? So why not use family, friends and neighbors as sounding boards?

I'll tell you why. Unless they're the worst family, friends and neighbors in the world, they really want to like your book. Because they like you. And, perhaps more importantly, they want you to still like them when they're done reading your manuscript.

Aside from the unfair pressure this involuntary editing role creates, consider this more pertinent drawback: what you write might not at all be what these kindhearted folks enjoy reading. In the case of non-fiction, the topic may be incredibly boring to them. Or offensive. Or ridiculously unimportant. It could be a book they would never, ever choose to read, were it not for you thrusting the manuscript in their hands. So how in the world can they be expected to critique it?

But let's say you've already given the book to a work friend and he's finished reading it. Now what? Are you expecting sentence-by-sentence analysis? Objective criticism of plot transitions? A conversational deep dive into how your approach to Victorian vampire romance differs from the supernatural shenanigans of other early 20th century cultures? (Clearly that last one will NEVER happen, and if it does, you must tell me where you work and what else this friend does in his spare time.) The point is - and I'd be willing to bet on this - the response you receive will be one of the following: 1) I really liked it; 2) I wouldn't change a thing; or, 3) You're a really good writer. None of these are necessarily true, they're just an expedient way for your indentured reader to end the ordeal.

Even more disappointing, none of these responses give you what you're craving. What you really want is someone to tell you how to make your book better. No one who loves you will tear out your heart - or tear up your pages - and demand that you start all over again. And THAT'S who you need as your proofreader.

Want to hear how great you look since losing 20 pounds? Your husband's the guy to ask.

Want to know if two flashbacks and a flash forward are too much for one chapter? Ask a literary professional whose job it is to give you an honest answer.

Unless that literary professional is your spouse. If so, hire someone else.

How's This for Offensive: Take Your "Morals Clause" and Shove It

The Authors Guild reports an increase in publishers' demands for a "morals clause" in writers' contracts. Vague terms for our punishable sins include "publicly condemned behavior."

Let's be honest: under the back-breaking yoke of the "influencer" era, every time you write a Facebook post in opposition to the majority of your followers, you will be "publicly condemned."

So... should you have to repay your royalties because a friend-of-a-friend's cousin-in-law finds your position on hemp farming "offensive?"

Should you be forced to return your advance if your comments in support of a family member someone simply dislikes create a Twitter backlash?

Should you lose your book contract if your old college roomie posts a picture of you sleeping with both arms wrapped around your beer bong?

In my view, this trend toward "morals clauses" is one more way that writers - or, as I like to call us, the income generator that finances the publishers' yachts - are trivialized.

It's not bad enough that the vast majority of publishers do NOTHING to assist with the marketing of our books. That they apparently regard the words "book launch party" as vestiges of a dead language. That their business model seems to be "quantity over quality," resulting in a stable of writers so large that providing sales and promotional support is impossible. That their royalty statements are written with the sole purpose of confusing the author.

Nope. All that's just not enough. Now they want to base our (dwindling) income on our level of "morality."

That, my friends, is TRULY worthy of "public condemnation."

Book Launch: Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop, April 24, 2019

I am thrilled to announce that the launch for my latest book, Spiritualism and the Supernatural: An Entertaining Encyclopedia for Believers and Skeptics Alike, happens April 24th at the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop.

I'll be giving a presentation about the tricks used by 19th century mediums and - of course! - signing copies of the book.

For details on the event, visit Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop's website.

For information on the book, visit StephanieHoover.com.