After and Before

Saddened by the loss of the foreword my collection, COLD TO THE TOUCH, was to have, I decided to write my own afterword for the book. Why an afterword? Well, frankly, I'd rather read a summary than an introduction. Odds are anyone buying the book has some idea of what to expect, so rather than take time telling them what they already know, I'd rather they hop right in and determine their thoughts for themselves. At that point, they can read what I have to say and weigh it based on their knowledge. No notes, though, I'm afraid. I know some of you like them, but I find them boring to write, and I can't help but think that whenever I try they always come out sounding particularly idiotic... and when they don't they're usually lies.

But, speaking of forewords, I was asked a few months ago to provide one for a young writer's first book. I gladly accepted the assignment, but recently I was kicked off the project. Why? The company that publishes the author also publishes another of which I'm not terrible fond, and I made a comment or two online about it. I don't think I wrote anything rude, or in fact expressed an opinion all that uncommon about the work. I certainly didn't post it on the publisher's site, or the site of the author of which I'm not terribly fond. Nonetheless, the publisher found out and has decided I am no longer an appropriate choice for writing an introduction. I'm not sure I have an explanation as to what they fear would happen if I wrote the intro, other than the publisher would be unhappy. Perhaps he worries I'll use the introduction as a platform again the other author (something that's patently ridiculous). Anyway, I'm out. Let this be a lesson to you: some publishers require you to tow the company line, otherwise they won't let you give them your work for free. (As a postscript, I ought to mention my replacement is unquestionably more suited to the task, and will no doubt do a much better job than I might have.)