THE CAREER NOVELISTBut hold on. These are impartial readers with no close connec-
tion to the author. If they enjoyed the novel, is that not proof posi-
tive that the book is worthy? Possibly, but probably not. In my expe-
rience, test readers are not reliable forecasters.
Even if novels are somewhat flawed, test readers may be
impressed by the sheer accomplishment of setting down so many
words. They may also want to avoid hurting the authors' feelings,
even if they do not know them and will never meet them. Trashing a
published book is one thing; criticizing an unpublished work is
another. Authors of works-in-progress are vulnerable. I think that
even impartial readers sense that and demur.
On top of that, most test readers are not publishing profession-
als. Even the pros can be wrong, God knows, but it is also true that
working in the business gives one some awareness of market trends.
Test readers may lack that. The serial-killer novel that terrifies your
neighbors may be, to me, old hat.
Perhaps the main reason that I discount testimonials from test
readers is that they have so often disappointed me. I have been
stung many times, I confess, and I have grown wary.
Having said all that, 1 will also admit that there is one time when
outside testimonials carry weight: that is when they come from
authors, editors, or agents whose opinion I respect and trust. When
a client whose writing I adore tells me he has discovered an author
whose writing he adores, 1 am sold.
"This book is my baby. I want an agent who loves it as much as I do." That
sounds reasonable enough, does it not? Given the many pitfalls fac-
ing a novel prior to its publication, it is undoubtedly prudent to sign
up only with an editor or agent whose enthusiasm for one's work is
genuine, right?
Right. This is advice I give all the time. I even did so at the Pacific
Northwest Writers Conference: "Look for enthusiasm for your work.
It is your best insurance against mistakes." I stand by that advice,
too. But let us look more closely at this new writer. Is he simply
being prudent? Maybe.
In my experience, though, writers who say things like "This book
is my baby" can be a wee bit irrational. Their emotional attachment