There's nothing in writing. Emails, but no signed contract. And it was dependent on him writing usable shit. Since I'm culling it...

As long as you can tell him *why* (in concrete terms) his contribution isn't usable, then you should be good. I'm guessing this isn't someone who would have the means to sue anyway, so.

And hey, sometimes things don't work out. It happens. If he really want to write, he might as well learn it now.

I think, too, there's a pretty wide gulf between thinking you're a good writer and thinking every word is golden. I mean, in my more lucid, clear-headed moments I know that I'm both good at what I do and still have a ton to learn. It's part of the fun, actually-- learning the new stuff. And there's also a pretty big divide between taking every editorial suggestion offered and knowing when to stick to your creative instincts.

However, the ones who think every word is golden... I dearly wish they would get struck with the clue stick.

If the word "sue" comes out of his mouth, I'll yank the whole book. It'd break my heart, but I won't hesitate to burn it. I have another two books I'm working on, and I'd be happy to publish a tiny thing every couple of years. Vampire People made back its money, and still sells a bit, my editor at Sourcebooks liked working with me, and I'm gaining a little bit of a following in the science blogosphere.

I'm confident I'll be able to sell again. I'd hate to have to discard this book, but I won't be threatened. I guess, mostly, I'm just worried about hurting his feelings.

He may also feel a bit relieved, Allyson. I think the busy-ness is partly because he KNOWS he's not a writer and doesn't want to let you or the book down but also doesn't want to deal with the whole thing. When we let employees go they might be (understandably) sad at losing their job, but sometimes they are also glad they are finally free from working at a job they know they are unsuited for.

I don't think I phrased that well. (Why do people hire me, anyway?) I meant that the people who don't have self doubts about their writing are generally not the best writers. I happen to think I'm a decent writer, but that doesn't keep me from times of thinking it all sucks.

The ones who think every word is golden are the new writers, who almost literally bleed when I whack off their flowery but unnecessary first paragraphs, and Anne Rice.

I hope that's the case, Scrappy. I feel sick about it, but I just want to finish the book this week and get it out into the world.

I'm ridiculously emotional about the whole thing.

The ones who think every word is golden are the new writers, who almost literally bleed when I whack off their flowery but unnecessary first paragraphs, and Anne Rice.

BWAH!

Have to rip out the co-author's chapters

Painful, but not as messy as ripping out his heart.

Allyson, can I just say that when I read you were pulling his stuff I exhaled a huge sigh of relief? I mean, HUGE.

I really do hope he can be disappointed and motivated by that enough to work on his own projects, but realistically, if he hasn't touched this in a year, that's pretty much a default on his part. We're all busy, that's no excuse. And yes, I'd get the telling over and done with, and let him deal with the fallout from his lack of action.

It's a wonderful concept, the character is so adorable and easy to identify with, the story is charming and so perfect for kids and the people who read to kids. It will find its market, I'm sure of it. I hate that you have to re-harrow those parts you didn't write, but it will be so much better when it's done.

Why am I the only one who did not see this?