Guardian article on unsolicited manuscripts.
Thing is, the majority of manuscripts send to publishers is indeed shite.
In an ideal world, it would be superb is substandard writers realised that they were awful and called it a day.
But, thing is, most substandard writers don't realise this.
What makes a good writer and what makes a substandard writer?
Yeah if the crap writers would just give up, the good ones would get a fair chance of being read!
They are bloody selfish bastards.
I will not be the only person who reacted with amusement to the news that HarperCollins has just launched a website that encourages would-be authors to upload sample chapters, which will then be judged not by professional editors, but by readers. Amusement at the company's chutzpah, specifically - but amusement tempered with some sympathy, too.
That was my idea! When I was doing my Creative Writing MA and a HarperCollins employee came to talk to us. Huh.
Quote: zooo @ September 4 2008, 8:16 PM BSTYeah if the crap writers would just give up, the good ones would get a fair chance of being read!
They are bloody selfish bastards.
Yeah, I think they do it on purpose just to wind us up. Have they got nothing better to do?
Quote: zooo @ September 4 2008, 8:16 PM BSTYeah if the crap writers would just give up, the good ones would get a fair chance of being read!
They are bloody selfish bastards.
You keep hounding me on this point Ms Zooo oh and you know what I think you are right.
Are you going to give up?
On what 
What point was it? Sounds interesting.
Quote: Seefacts @ September 4 2008, 9:01 PM BSTWhat point was it? Sounds interesting.
Previously on BSG...
zooo said crap writers should give up.
Marc pretended zooo had been hounding him to give up. For humorous effect.
Frank the blind monkey finally proposed to Shaleen, who was forced to confess to being a werewolf, but we're not sure if Brett knows yet...
Aw. You said that in the Cleaner Close voice.