jesshartley

Even as a neo-pro, I know there are certain things I hear over and over from fans and readers. Things I wish someone had told readers that writers hate to hear. Things like “I have this great idea! You should write it and we could split the profits!” or the ever popular “Yeah, I’m going to write this great novel, I just haven’t had time yet.”

I know they’re well meaning, and no one wants to be rude to an obviously enthusiastic person. They certainly don’t intend to utter those phrases that make us want to run screaming back into the solitude of our offices and writing caves, but utter them they do, and scream we’d love to. I’ve often wished there was some way the information could get spread around painlessly, kind of a non-targeted “This is what you said. This is why their eyes glazed over.”

To this end, I’m running a panel at Arisia in Boston next month entitled “Literature Geek Speak: What NOT to say to your favorite writer.” It’s designed as a one-hour casual setting panel on “You’ve finally got a chance to meet them face to face. What to say after “Hi, I love your work!”

For those of you who are published, or who work in the industry, I’m wondering if there’s anything that sticks out in your mind as “the thing I hate to hear”. I’m planning on including the “split the profits” bit as well as the “haven’t had time” thing. If you had anything else, I’d love to include it.