Son of: STOP THEM BEFORE THEY WRITE AGAIN!

I write. I think I write pretty well. I've won a few local awards. I published my book a couple months ago & sold a few. (I'm too damn lazy & too easily discouraged {and distracted} to go further...but I REALIZE those are the problems).

I also review literature. I think I review it pretty well. If nothing else, in the genres I review I bring a pretty large knowledge of what has gone before & what's out there now. I write regularly for Kirkus Reviews and VOYA. I write occasionally for Library Journal. I also write for Amazon (but that's a weird arrangement). I have written for SLJ & Parent's choice & Hornbook in years past. I review graphic novels, adult sci-fi, teen fantasy and sci-fi, picture books, general kids' fiction, teen GLBT fiction, and teen and adult non-fiction about Buddhism.

Some of the stuff I get to review would just blow your mind (in a BAD way).

Now, when I was on Newbery, sometimes authors who self published would send us their books. A couple were good. Most were awful...but they were self published. They never passed by an editor.

The items I get to review are nearly always from publishing houses. 99% of the stuff that comes from the names you'd recognize (Simon & Schuster, Candlewick, etc) is good to great. --There's always that one book that just stinks despite the fact that it's by an otherwise talented author...if you ever meet me ask me about the book "Starsplit" (barf!) or "that damn bunny book." Then there are the small publishing houses. A lot of what they publish is really good too--

A lot isn't.

I'm not naming names (publisher, title, or author), but I just read a book that should come with a either a reader-proof lock on the cover or a syringe of insulin. It comes from one of those authors who seem to think that childwren just wuv sweetness! It was the most   >.<  overly precious, overly punctuated!!! chapter book I have ever read. Know what I mean??? The animal characters all had cutsie names. It was chock full of extremely lame jokes...that were then explained. The adjectives were all flat...and repetitious...two pages in I was thinking "help me!" But I soldiered on...

I need your help here...say it with me and say it loud: Stop them before they write again!

Comments

[Sean & Stefan]

Note to self: tremble in fear when askign Tim to read your manuscript... (wink)