Puzzled

I have had a very puzzling week. Last Friday I attended a reunion of faculty members at the community college where I once taught. I don't generally go to reunions because anyone I want to remain in contact with I do. I had a controversial divorce and remarriage during the last years I worked there and several of my colleagues were, shall we say, decidedly less than supportive. In fact several were downright spiteful and abusive. Now, over twenty years later, these same people greeted me with smiles and hugs. You would have thought I was a long lost and dearly beloved relative. What happened?

Secondly, I got some low reviews which stated that editing played a part in the review decision. Once again, what? I have to wonder what the true objective of criticizing an author's press might be. The book went through a rigorous series of the usual three editing rounds. I have to wonder, do these readers peruse the products of large publishing houses with an eye toward editing? Because, now that I have been through the process, I can tell you that the editors at my little indie press are far more attentive and thorough. I understand that some people will absolutely hate what I write. But the editing? Although, to be fair, that is a part of the work as a whole. But the use of vague phrases like "editing concerns" sparks nothing but questions in my mind.