Writers Can’t Try to ‘Get Even’

Just over two-thirds of the way into 2026, I can say it’s been a tough year for writers and freelancers, no matter what the field or endeavor.

Not only has my income declined noticeably, I have seen numerous tales of woe on editorial email strings. And, multiple requests concerning finances from members of my Christian editors’ prayer group.

Given that scenario, some of the careless treatment I have received lately has grated on my nerves.

One woman asked if I could do a sample edit of her memoir. Enthusiastic about helping refine her manuscript, I did so gladly. Then . . . radio silence.

Another woman had drafted a memoir that, while interesting, needed considerable revisions. I suggested several changes that could improve her manuscript.

Often, responding to job listings results in no response at all. After a week or two, I assume the author found someone else.

So, when this woman replied the next day (a Friday) and asked if I could talk on Monday, I said yes. That is, I said, except between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., when I would be at a medical appointment.

Fifteen minutes before leaving, she emailed: “I can talk at 1:30.”

I quickly replied, “That’s not good, but I can call you at 3:30 when I’m back in my office.”

I did. Voicemail. The next day, I sent an email. The next day, another email. No replies.

In a day and time when it literally only takes seconds to send a reply, I don’t understand such ghosting tactics.

Or, responses like the one from an author who told me “after careful consideration” he had decided to hire another editor—less than 20 minutes after I sent my sample edit. Clearly, he’d had AI evaluate my work.

Checking Your Spirit

In the midst of this, another email outlined an editorial opportunity. Past notes to the company had largely been ignored, so I wrote an editor complaining about what I felt was rude treatment.

First, I asked my wife to read it. She said, “Now that you’ve gotten that off your chest, I would delete everything after the first sentence.”

Fortunately, I did. Sending my original would have definitely burned a bridge.

For confirmation that I had made the right move, soon after this, I received the monthly newsletter of noted ghostwriter and author Cec Murphey.

This legend in Christian editorial circles has written more than 140 books, including New York Times bestsellers.

The story he shared concerned an insult from long ago. It involved ghostwriting a book for a famous man, which became a bestseller.

Not hearing much, Cec assumed everything had gone well. Then he heard through the grapevine that the author had told his agent and others that he was a terrible writer.

Noting those words hurt, he asked why the author didn’t tell him.

Cec recounted how a senior editor told him, “He won’t tell the person, but he will tell anyone else who will listen.”

Stung, he thought of getting even. But he realized that if he retaliated, he would have said something worse. Even if the person never found out, he realized there is no such thing as getting even.

After that, Cec wrote 80 more books, including the megahit, 90 Minutes in Heaven. That sharp-tongued author wrote three moderate sellers.

“He will never know, but my way to get even is to do nothing against the other,” Cec wrote.

His advice will ring in my ears whenever I encounter another irritating situation.