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Cutting The Fat
Nestor Maronski is the world's most notorious book reviewer, meticulously crafting his scathing critiques every week for the Daily Post. The massive Maronski fortune allows vile-tempered ol' Nessie to become a puppetmaster in countless other arenas, all of which are dedicated to his passion for desecrating the careers of independent authors everywhere. Now a myriad band of such wronged writers has glommed upon one scary idea: kill Nestor Maronski...but only after he's made to suffer.
First published January 24, 2011
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About the author
Maria Savva
48 books521 followersWriter of novels and short stories, multi-genre. Maria's short stories have appeared in the BestsellerBound anthologies and the Mind's Eye Series of books, as well as the online magazine The Write Launch: http://thewritelaunch.com/
Maria is also a music blogger at the Real Rock And Roll blog: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/
Look out for current news about her writing on her website: http://www.mariasavva.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 26, 2011
In Cutting the Fat, Maria Savva and Jason McIntyre offer up Nestor Maronski, a book reviewer reviled by Indie authors everywhere.
Savva and McIntyre skillfully insert just the right amount of examples and backstory to show a reader Maronski is so vile, so deep in the bone cruel, thoughtless and unkind that within a few pages a reader is invested and mentally chanting 'Down with Nestor the Nasty'.
Thanks to an eclectic cast of characters this rotten reviewer has wronged, Nestor does go down...but not in the way you're led to suspect!
Although not a full-length novel, the authors offer ample motivation for every player in this fun revenge romp. For me, co-authored books can occasionally read a tad choppy, one author might 'know' certain characters better, the other may have a 'voice' better fitted to the tale...Not so with Cutting the Fat. McIntyre and Savva are both right on top of the cast and their 'voice' blends so seamlessly I wonder if even they can go back and figure out who wrote what.
One idea, two authors from different genres and walks of life, in the case of Cutting the Fat equals one terrific story!
If you've ever received a review that cut to the quick, if you've ever read a review so cutting and caustic you wished you could cut the reviewers fingers off--or at least give them a sharp smack with a ruler--then you need to read CUTTING THE FAT!
Savva and McIntyre skillfully insert just the right amount of examples and backstory to show a reader Maronski is so vile, so deep in the bone cruel, thoughtless and unkind that within a few pages a reader is invested and mentally chanting 'Down with Nestor the Nasty'.
Thanks to an eclectic cast of characters this rotten reviewer has wronged, Nestor does go down...but not in the way you're led to suspect!
Although not a full-length novel, the authors offer ample motivation for every player in this fun revenge romp. For me, co-authored books can occasionally read a tad choppy, one author might 'know' certain characters better, the other may have a 'voice' better fitted to the tale...Not so with Cutting the Fat. McIntyre and Savva are both right on top of the cast and their 'voice' blends so seamlessly I wonder if even they can go back and figure out who wrote what.
One idea, two authors from different genres and walks of life, in the case of Cutting the Fat equals one terrific story!
If you've ever received a review that cut to the quick, if you've ever read a review so cutting and caustic you wished you could cut the reviewers fingers off--or at least give them a sharp smack with a ruler--then you need to read CUTTING THE FAT!
April 7, 2016
I found "Cutting the Fat" by Maria Savva and Jason McIntyre to be a delightful short story that shoots straight to the heart of an impulse we've all fantasized about ... revenge. McIntyre and Savva prove themselves to be a dastardly writing duo, weaving a yarn that, in the end, completely satisfies. The writing was impressive---seamless, with nary a hint that the authors hail from two different countries. After reading "Cutting the Fat," I'll certainly seek out other works from each of these talented authors.
January 27, 2013
It's amazing how successful stories materialise from just a spark of an idea and Cutting The Fat is no exception. To me it has a bittersweet quality, where conflicting feelings seesaw and rational thought is pushed into the background in favour of justice.
But is it?
I can understand and certainly sympathise with the anger felt by those who are waiting for that lucky break in the `real world of publishing', where, after receiving day by day rejection letters from publishers that state: `Sorry but we not taking on any new clients.' In other words, unless you are already famous, there's not a chance in Hell you'll ever be published.
But what choice is there for the rest of us?
Self-publishing?
Many look down from lofty heights and say, `Who are they to do such a thing? If they had any real talent they'd snapped up!' Maybe, but wouldn't it be fantastic if submissions could get by the janitor, the slush pile - or at the very least, the junior editor who's just left school and has an uncle `in the trade' so was given the holiday `sifting' job?
But then if luck is on your side and `Hey, look, I have a book in print,' should happen, then what right has someone else to negatively criticise that very piece of our souls?
No wonder such ideas for this story evolve.
Yes, everyone has an opinion, but why should it be used to destroy?
Nestor Maronski - a fantastic character for us all to hate; a demon to slash that very soul with each barbed word of his own. And don't we know him so well? Someone we suppose has no talent except to use our work against us, with such arrogance and steel, as if he were the slayer and not the demon. So easy is it to slice apart another's work, without regard for the heart that lay defenceless amongst the pages - so why?
Like bullies in the school playground, negative reviewers see easy prey in writers, and as we have learnt, the only way not to let them win is to fight back.
Cutting The Fat has done it, but again I wonder if (despite the relish of sweet revenge) it helped? Was what happened to Nestor true justice, did it resolve the problem; did it really make us feel better?
Hey, that's not to say I didn't enjoy the idea!
Cutting The Fat is a clever story, well written and certainly thought-provoking. At the very least it could make the elite think twice about the souls of writers they wish to destroy.
Wishful thinking indeed.
*
An added bonus - Only time can divide us - Maria Savva from her new book, Fusion
I loved the intriguing first line, `There was history in her face.' As I read through the story, its endearing quality went straight to my heart. A delightful tale showing you never know when or where love will creep into your life. A beautiful if sad story, which would tug at anyone's heartstrings.
*
And the excerpt from Jason McIntyre's Thalo Blue shows talent in abundance.
But is it?
I can understand and certainly sympathise with the anger felt by those who are waiting for that lucky break in the `real world of publishing', where, after receiving day by day rejection letters from publishers that state: `Sorry but we not taking on any new clients.' In other words, unless you are already famous, there's not a chance in Hell you'll ever be published.
But what choice is there for the rest of us?
Self-publishing?
Many look down from lofty heights and say, `Who are they to do such a thing? If they had any real talent they'd snapped up!' Maybe, but wouldn't it be fantastic if submissions could get by the janitor, the slush pile - or at the very least, the junior editor who's just left school and has an uncle `in the trade' so was given the holiday `sifting' job?
But then if luck is on your side and `Hey, look, I have a book in print,' should happen, then what right has someone else to negatively criticise that very piece of our souls?
No wonder such ideas for this story evolve.
Yes, everyone has an opinion, but why should it be used to destroy?
Nestor Maronski - a fantastic character for us all to hate; a demon to slash that very soul with each barbed word of his own. And don't we know him so well? Someone we suppose has no talent except to use our work against us, with such arrogance and steel, as if he were the slayer and not the demon. So easy is it to slice apart another's work, without regard for the heart that lay defenceless amongst the pages - so why?
Like bullies in the school playground, negative reviewers see easy prey in writers, and as we have learnt, the only way not to let them win is to fight back.
Cutting The Fat has done it, but again I wonder if (despite the relish of sweet revenge) it helped? Was what happened to Nestor true justice, did it resolve the problem; did it really make us feel better?
Hey, that's not to say I didn't enjoy the idea!
Cutting The Fat is a clever story, well written and certainly thought-provoking. At the very least it could make the elite think twice about the souls of writers they wish to destroy.
Wishful thinking indeed.
*
An added bonus - Only time can divide us - Maria Savva from her new book, Fusion
I loved the intriguing first line, `There was history in her face.' As I read through the story, its endearing quality went straight to my heart. A delightful tale showing you never know when or where love will creep into your life. A beautiful if sad story, which would tug at anyone's heartstrings.
*
And the excerpt from Jason McIntyre's Thalo Blue shows talent in abundance.
March 19, 2011
I think this story was extremely engaging. I loved the creativity of Savva and McIntyre working together yet separately to create a quality short story. I honestly think their idea was brilliant, and should be emulated by more authors. The mutual enjoyment and love Savva and McIntyre have for their craft is evident in every sentence. The story is fast paced, fun, well executed, and really shows their considerable style and skill.
April 13, 2013
I read this short story about two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent writing and story, and the pairing of the two authors was delightful.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews