It's a sad, sad thing sending off your first book out into the cruel world, hoping desperately that random strangers will treat it fairly and kindly. Though far from this point in my life, it must be close to how a parent feels sending one of their children off to college. You lose all your powers of protectiveness and suggestion.
It's going to be all alone - naked - needing me... Please just treat it right. Please be gentle. It's new - vulnerable. It needs to be coddled a bit before the really heavy critics start to come out of the woodwork. You know, develop a thicker layer of skin.
So, although I do wish for you to be honest and forthcoming, please do so with a modicum of grace and understanding.
These books tend to be quite temperamental, you know...
It's going to be all alone - naked - needing me... Please just treat it right. Please be gentle. It's new - vulnerable. It needs to be coddled a bit before the really heavy critics start to come out of the woodwork. You know, develop a thicker layer of skin.
So, although I do wish for you to be honest and forthcoming, please do so with a modicum of grace and understanding.
These books tend to be quite temperamental, you know...
