Dear Writer

Dear Writer, While it might be true, you are the next Truman Capote, budding Frank Herbert, or even maybe the Ernest Hemingway. You really should know that I am unable to give you any advice on how to outline, write, rewrite, market, or even sell your book. I no longer have the connections to refer you to the best literary agent, let alone a competent one. Besides, my limited time does not allow me the luxury of reading any and all material you decide to send me, unsolicited, let alone give you an opinion on. And even if I could, there are only so many hours in the day and like any of my species (a one-time over-worked editor) I have a limited life span. Which, I might add, is getting shorter by the minute having to answer your questions and emails. Reading a manuscript, appending tracking notes, and giving pertinent advice about it, is not only time-consuming, but is a paid, skilled job performed by professionals. My advice to you is not to ask an editor to do this job for you, for…