If a person were to believe everything they read on Twitter, writers are dissatisfied with editors– and it may also be that editors are sometimes frustrated with writers. I’ve been on both sides of the divide. Back in the day, when I was being published in a few prestigious publications, I was upset at editors for hacking apart my cherished writing. Later, after a hiatus of sorts, I found myself on the other side of the fence. My perspective changed.

(Insert Rodney King voice: “Why can’t we just all get along?”)

THE QUESTION

The question is whether writers see the literary world completely in terms of themselves: islands of “one”– simultaneously believing the writing community (which will soon include more and more chatbot writers) are all on the same side. United, I guess, against publishers large and small– and also, of course, against editors. But if you the writer are submitting to any journal, or a host of journals, you are in fact competing against other writers.

CONTEXT

We all need to be aware of context. Namely, that literature is a marginalized art, with real opportunities few, obstacles many– for everybody– and odds against any fledgling outfit or unconnected writer are enormous. The only way any group of writers and editors stand a chance is via collaboration. Understanding that fences between us are counterproductive: we stand a better chance if united against a common enemy: an indifferent world.

(It also makes sense to unite against A.I.)

-K.W.