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"When it does, I tell myself it’s probably this way in every field, and then I remind myself to mind my own business, do the best writing I can, and just keep moving forward. It’s really all a writer can do." Amen. So hard, but the only thing we can do really. And congrats on making the 5 over 50!!

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Sari, I love what you do, all of it. So for as long as you can and, as long as it makes you happy, keep doing it!

Have you thought about to have a list of editors whom you trust, and send the writers with the pieces you think are promising but needs work to these editors. I don't think most writers would mind to pay a (small) fee to get their work improved? Just food-for-thought :).

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I am pulling up the drawbridge going forward because I've said yes to too many things and people and haven't left myself time for my own work. Saying no is hard, but I try to say no and also point people to 1-2 people or resources who will be helpful or say yes, so that it's a "no" that they can do something with. Generally that no is because the project will take more developmental editing than I have time for-- so I try to pass them on to someone who will not only have time, but is excited to build their portfolio of editing work and take new people on.

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Nov 1, 2022Liked by Sari Botton

Hah. I really needed to read this one today for all kinds of reasons. I hate saying no, even with a boilerplate decline letter issued through Submittable. A lot of the work I read is good but really isn't right for the journal I work at. And with Submittable making it easy for everyone to submit their work, the days of editing a piece that's almost there are over--no one has the time. I try to remind myself that a quick no is better than a slow one, and if that's all I can do, so be it.

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