And not to put down our enlisted men, but more than a few of these folks are in the service, because they didn't go to college and hadn't cultivated a trade. They may not all be looking for the next great American Novel.

Just a bit of distraction, I would think, though I have no idea what I would send. Your heart was definitely in the right place.

Susan, howsabout a nice little email back to this testopig, pointing out that since these soldiers are likely living in mud, guts and gore, it's possible that they'd like something just a wee bit more escapist?

You might also point out to him that until you see a few reviews of his stuff by people you respect, he should probably take his snotnosed dick-based assholery and shove it where the sun never shines. Also, could we please see the signed note from God, appointing his sorry ass as Arbiter Of All Taste?

Of course, you may be nicer than I am. But personally, I'd disembowel him and I'd make sure that not only do a lot of other people get to read the disembowelment in email, but that he KNOWS a lot of people are reading and laughing at him.

What a prick. edit: and yes, I know he isn't the author, just another donor, but if he isn't even a writer? WHo in sweet hell does he think he is?

And not to put down our enlisted men, but more than a few of these folks are in the service, because they didn't go to college and hadn't cultivated a trade. They may not all be looking for the next great American Novel.

True. And I figure that being on an overseas posting, particularly in a dangerous or stressful situation, would be the equivalent of one long airplane trip--I'd want something relaxing and escapist.

And I fully admit that the novel I'm writing qualifies as escapist. True love triumphs, and there are pretty dresses, pretty horses, and a pretty man who looks good on the aforesaid horses and is just the kind of person you'd want to have take off your pretty dress. But IMO, there's such a thing as quality escapism. If it's well-written, well-researched, and has believable characters and emotional resonance, it's a good book. And, if anyone told me my book had helped them through a difficult time or kept them turning page after page on a turbulent cross-country flight, I'd be honored.

t on edit--Deborah, I'd love to send this guy a withering email, but I'm sure he'd just use it as fuel for his misogyny.

No, no it wouldn't.

But IMO, there's such a thing as quality escapism. If it's well-written, well-researched, and has believable characters and emotional resonance, the fact that it's escapist doesn't preclude it from also being quality.

I'm not much on romances, but the Outlander series was just what you describe, and made for good reading.

Georgette Heyer.

Which said, I still wouldn't send a box of Georgette Heyer to an infantry unit.

Betsy, I wouldn't send them Thackeray either.

I'd send them Stephen King and Michael McDowell and Peter Straub. Send them Shirley Jackson. Let them escape into horrors that deal with ghosts, demons, hauntings - someone else's horror that they don't have to believe in or share or live in.

edit: d'oh! Mysteries, of course.

Okay here's a random question. I have this Angel spec that I wrote a year or so ago. Due to recent events, it's been on my mind a lot. I pulled it out the other day and reread and discovered that I still really like it a lot. I need to make a couple of small changes but I think it's a strong sample. I was toying with the idea of submitting it to a contest or two so I looked up a few of the usual ones and discovered that the Sautter deadline is tomorrow.

How insane would it be to go home tonight, make the necessary changes and send the damn thing in tomorrow?

Thoughts? Opinions?

Do it. Be brave and do it.