A few years back, I submitted a batch of poems to a fairly well-known poetry magazine. After waiting for six months or so without a response, I emailed the editor querying about the submission, and attaching the poems in question as a reminder.
I received in reply a VERY NASTY email that essentially said, "I already rejected these bad poems once, I really don't appreciate having to do it again. You're wasting my time." That's not verbatim, but it's pretty close.
I shrugged it off, but never forgot it.
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Fast forward a couple of years. I'm now an editor for The Canary. The same editor who rudely rejected me (but neglected to inform me the first time) just sent me a copy of his/her new book with a nice note requesting a review. Of course, I'm sure that he/she doesn't remember me or the way he/she handled my submission from years ago, but I do.
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Well, The Canary hasn't done reviews up until this point, though we have talked about including reviews in the next issue. The question: do I review the book? The second question: do I really look like a cop?
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13 comments:
To bitch or not to bitch.
I just had to retract a couple of poems from SWINK, and the editors were sweet as pie. No guff, no attitude. They even said nice things about the poems. That's how it should it work in the po-biz.
If I were you I would remind this editor/book pimp about the fucking rude email. And then tell him you will accept the book for review. Kill him/her with kindness. Then maybe this editor/book pimp will pass on the kindness.
Just my two cents.
I can't wait to read what Reb suggests. That woman knows how to bitch. Love her!
I'd write an email explaining that the Canary IS thinking of doing reviews and that you WOULD consider reviewing it, but that you "feel it would be unfair" since no matter how hard you try you "can't avoid bias" due to an awkward history. I'd make em feel a little bad for being mean.
C'mon! We who edit know that it takes just as long to be mean as it does to be nice. There's no excuse for that...
Eduardo, I'm a very kind editor, I'll have you know. You never know when some tripe writing hack might grow up and become the next FW!
And I agree with Eduardo -- kill the prick/prickette with kindness.
Or you could always say nothing and write a ridiculously scathing review a la Logan. But that would be pretty bitchy --even for me.
xx oo smooches
Don't review the book, send him a gift from: http://fecalgram.com
it sounds like they deserve it...
Hell, it takes longer to be mean. Either do nothing with the book or remind the person what they did to you, but don't hatchet it without revealing the bad blood.
I'd say write a review of the book & the previous mean interaction, your ethical questions surrounding it, and it will solve all problems. Then, send the journal with the review off to the meanie. Plus, it would be very human, and true, which is always nice.
I say Fuck em.
- Scott Pierce
(Canary's pretty hot btw)
I think Laurel has a fine solution. Write him very nicely and emphasize how deeply UNFAIR it would be to review his book, given the bad blood he created earlier.
A "nice" rejection actually creates some good will.
Everyone has been addressing the first question, so I'll go with the second: maybe, but I think it has to do with those handcuffs you carry around.
I agree most of the above: the two issues are separate. Revenge is a dish best served cold, or not at all: kill him with kindness and honesty. FW (who seems like a unfortunate & troubled person) might learn from it.
Treat his book as you would any other book. You are not like him / her, are you?
Alberto
Tell us who it is. And then write the review the book deserves. That's what Dante would do.
That may be just my curiosity talking, though.
I would like a bracelet that said What Would Dante Do?
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