Before you read the subject of this pontification, politics, and completely lose interest, let me say up front that I'm not here to push any wacky political beliefs upon unsuspecting readers. I'm not here to tell you what to believe, how to vote, or how I voted. Politics on the national level is a twisted spectator sport, and personally I don't trust a one of them. I think they should all be demoted to the role of extras in the next "Living Dead" flick.

This isn't about national politics, but the everyday politics of being a writer.

Yes, I know . . . that's not much better is it. Never the less, we are all forced into potentially political situations every day of our lives. There is office politics, politics in marriage, and even the closest friendship is seen by some as a political affiliation. Every interaction we have with people, other writers and publishing professionals included, carries with it some political ramification.

Simply stated, the success or failure of anything we attempt in life depends greatly on our ability to relate and get along with others. People who tend to "Rock The Boat" or "Muddy The Waters" (Bloody The Waters in our case) simply don't get as far.

When confronted with the complexities and idiosyncrasies of the often unstable human race it's a sure bet that no matter how hard you try to stay along, you will eventually piss someone off. There are however guidelines, also known as common courtesies, that can help make you a winner in the game of human relations.

There are the usual faux pas, forgetting the SASE with submissions, sending out poorly printed documents, or forgetting to read the guidelines. All of those are sins that I have committed more often than I'd like to admit, but it goes beyond those basics.

Rejection:

Never take a rejection personally. I know the "NOT RIGHT FOR US AT THIS TIME" form letter can be frustratingly impersonal, but editors often do not have the time to send more personal rejections, and sometimes in this tricky game of publishing "NOT RIGHT FOR US AT THIS TIME" is the best that can be offered.

Now, on the other side of that coin; editors, never send a rude or demeaning rejection, no matter how much you may dislike that particular submission. You never know, their next work may turn out to be a bestseller. Besides, it makes you look bad, and you know all of us writers talk to each other.

Expecting too much of a publisher or editor:

Resources, especially in the small press, are short. Expecting a large cash advance for a story placed in a small press anthology, especially when you were never promised an advance of any kind, is unreasonable. Getting pissed when you don't receive that advance is worse. You may be good, but unless your name is Stephen King, Dean Koontz, or Charles Grant that editor will likely never work with you again. Your name may eventually become your trademark, so don't trash it.

On the flip side, don't let yourself be taken. Keep your contracts handy, know what's due you, and don't be afraid to ask for it. Whether it is money, advertising space, or contributor copies, it is yours. You earned it

A clean break is the best way to go:

In real life relationships, marriage for instance, things often don't work out as planned, and separation is a fact that must be dealt with. The same is true with the relationship between writers and publishing houses. I believe irreconcilable differences is a valid reason for divorce in both cases, but keep it clean. This goes for publishers as well as writers.

Warning your friends away from a bad situation is commendable, but don't go out of your way to sling mud. It's a lot like a messy divorce really, the only people who win the mudslinging game are the lawyers.

A clean break is the best way to go. Be connected:

Writer's lists, groups, and organizations such as the HWA can be very valuable resources. Utilize them.

That's all for now. Next time we'll be discussing everyone's favorite topic, "The Ever Illusive Literary Agent: Fact or Fiction."

Until next time remember these two things; the root word for politics is "polite," but being nice does not mean being disingenuous.

Be well, keep writing, and "Don't Bloody the Waters."

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