I take exception to: "especially if it’s less than: “this is a masterpiece," which is really all any writer wants to hear" As a writer, that is the WORST thing you can say to me if I've gone out on a limb and let you read something. I truly encourage those few I let to read to tell me that my work is total drek and this is why. Otherwise, how am I going to make the work better? Anyone who says "this is a masterpiece" to me is quickly removed from the list of those I allow to read. Not all of us are total egomaniacs--some of us are just partial.

Fair enough, but what I meant was that once a book is published, when things can no longer be changed or edited, there is no point in pointing out problems. For me, that would come later, when the author is working on a new book and I can talk to them early on in the process.

Point conceded. But, hey, if you ever read something of mine and think it's drek--before or after--please tell me! :)

Sara, I can't wait to read "The Night of the Gun" I have been thinking quite a bit about your comment "telling your friends what you really think". I have received five comments about my completed manuscript for a novel dealing with killing illegal immigrants. Government comspiracy, blah, blah, blah. The five comments have been consistent. Great thriller but too controversial. In your opinion, do you think literary agents or publishers typically shy away from "the extremely controversial" and opt for the "safe publications"?

Donald -- I think good books should, almost by definition, be controversial or at least subtly subversive. The question is how controversial is too controversial? I generally go by the rule that if a number of people tell you the same thing, it's probably true: that doesn't mean your book isn't good, but just that the current publishing market does, as you say, shy away from the controversial. Still, in publishing, as in love, it only takes one person (or maybe, in publsihing, two: an agent and an editor) among dozens to say "I do." Good luck.

Thank you very much! I'm encouraged and pumped up by your feedback. Instead of feeling whipped I should be feeling really good about my controversial approach to a hot topic. Come to think of it . . . that is what sets me (and my book) apart from the mundane! Thanks, Sara!

Oh, man. I have been there. You WANT to like it so bad. AND you want them to still agree to read your ms. in return, but...I'm a horrible liar. Do you have a good one line reply to "What did you think?" that I can borrow?

I don't give friends or family my books to read in advance of publication. I don't want to put them in an awkward position. Jacqueline Seewald THE INFERNO COLLECTION, Five Star/Gale

"This is a very brave book" is always a good one. But seriously, I think you have to set ground rules with friends, and ask them if they really want specific comments, or just a general take on what they've written. And also consider the timing: if it's something you absolutely feel needs to be different or shorter and it's still months away from publication, you are honor bound to speak the truth. But if it's on its way to the stores, well. . then you should probably wait until some kind of postmorten, after the publication, when the marketplace and reviewers will have already voted and your comments can be filed away for next book. Of course, if you really love the book, you should just say so, loud and clear, as I did here. . ..

When I was an editor, it was always a friend of a friend. I explained to my friend that this was my job and I was paid for it normally, to point out that it was in fact an imposition (and I reminded them I was already reading 1000+ manuscript pages/week). I told them I'd be happy to read their friend's novel if my friend read it first and told me it was one of the best books they'd ever read. In five years, I never had anyone follow through. If my friend isn't willing to read their friend's manuscript, I don't see why I should.