Blog
Ahoy, Critterfolk!
New entry Jun 06
Critter Notices
Books from Critters!
Check out Books by Critters for books by your fellow Critterfolk, as well as my list of recommended books for writers.
The Sigil Trilogy
If you're looking for an amazing, WOW! science fiction story, check out THE SIGIL TRILOGY. This is — literally — one of the best science fiction novels I've ever read.Stayin' Alive
If you want to make a career of SF writing, STAYING ALIVE - A WRITER'S GUIDE by three-time SFWA President Norman Spinrad, published by your Critter Captain's ReAnimus Press, is an indispensable guide to the inside workings of the SF publishing industry by an expert.
Interviewed!
I was interviewed live on public radio for Critters' birthday, for those who want to listen.
Free Web Sites
Free web sites for authors (and others) are available at www.nyx.net.
ReAnimus Acquires Advent!
ReAnimus Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the legendary Advent Publishers! Advent is now a subsidiary of ReAnimus Press, and we will continue to publish Advent's titles under the Advent name. Advent was founded in 1956 by Earl Kemp and others, and has published the likes of James Blish, Hal Clement, Robert Heinlein, Damon Knight, E.E. "Doc" Smith, and many others. Advent's high quality titles have won and been finalists for several Hugo Awards, such as The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy and Heinlein's Children. Watch this space for ebook and print editions of all of Advent's current titles!
Book Recommendation
THE SIGIL TRILOGY: The universe is dying from within... "Great stuff... Really enjoyed it." — SFWA Grandmaster Michael Moorcock
Announcing ReAnimus Press
If you're looking for great stuff to read from bestselling and award-winning authors—look no further! ReAnimus Press was founded by your very own Critter Captain. (And with a 12% Affiliate program.) [More]
~~~
FEATURED BOOK
~~~
Authors: No Critique Complaints in the Discussion Forums
When I set down the rule that authors can't complain about critiques in the discussion forums, one author wrote back, "I'm not sure how complete a discussion we can have if no one can complain about crits. It seems very limiting to me."
I elaborated as follows:
I know what you mean, but poor critiques are more my job to fix (if they're not in depth enough or aren't diplomatic enough), and I'll never see a complaint there since I know I won't be able to monitor all the discussions. Also, since whatever a critiquer says is their opinion as a reader, and authors can't argue with readers ("But I meant _______!"), it makes no real logical sense to complain about what a critiquer said.
Asking for clarification, or advice how to work around such a problem, that's all useful things an author can do. While they're dealing with the negative aspects of a critique, they aren't complaints, however. :)
By complaint I mean things like, "The critique from PatQSmith that said _____ was wrong/useless/rude/undiplomatic" or "I don't think PatQSmith actually read my story" or "I think the critique from Pat was just a boilerplate form letter" or "It made me angry when one critique said _____." Those are issues that should be sent to me to deal with.
It would be fine to say things like, "One critique said _____, do others agree with that?" or "One critique said ____, but I don't see what I could do to fix that, because _____ makes it necessary, any thoughts?" or even "I was bummed when someone said _____, because I really liked that part." None of those are calling the critique invalid, wrong, rude, against the rules.
I suppose it would make sense for a different critiquer to complain about another critique -- just not for the author to complain about one.
But generally speaking, the same diplomacy rules apply in the forums as in writing critiques in the first place. This is, in a sense, critiquing a critique, so diplomacy is still in order.