How NOT to pull a story from a publication

[jennifer_brozek]

After a couple rounds of edits on one story that had multiple authors and three weeks of radio silence we sent a polite query to all of the authors about the status of the story in question, expressed that time was of the essence and the edits on the story were needed quickly.

This was the response from one of the authors: "I do not accept your edits. I don't feel comfortable publishing [STORY] anymore, as I'm a much different writer than I was three years ago, when I wrote the story. I especially don't feel comfortable attaching my name or ideas to your butchered excuse for prose. Good luck with the anthology; I'm sure a part of one story won't make a difference."

(Emphasis mine.)

Well. Withdrawing the story is his right. It does not matter what the other authors say at this point. This story will not be in the Grants Pass anthology. This makes me sad as it was one of the original Grants Pass stories I first accepted.

On a personal note, I will remember this particular author's name. If possible, I will never work with him again in my professional career as an author or editor due to his rudeness and unnecessary insult. It was his right to withdraw the story. It is my right to refuse to work with someone of his attitude in the future. He could have withdrawn the story without the bolded line and gotten his thoughts across to the editors without insult. He didn't. This is something I will remember.

Comments

[naamah-darling.livejournal.com]

Oh, WOW. That was really unnecessary and totally devoid of professionalism. How disappointing. So, basically, because of what this guy said, the other collaborators won't get the story published? Or is there something else going on?

[jennifer-brozek.livejournal.com]

That is correct. Because one of the authors of the story, written by three authors, responded this way, we cannot include the story in anthology at all. It does not matter if the rest email back, apologize and tell us they'll get the edits to us. It was a group effort and the group has to give permission.

Fortunately, one of the other authors who has been good to work with has his own solo story in Grants Pass.

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

That really sucks for author #3. *shakes head*

[naamah-darling.livejournal.com]

That is really, really unfortunate, and I feel really bad for the two other authors. Like, REAL frowny, here. That totally sucks.