Here’s a new literary website for you: transgressivefiction. It’s pretty cool. And God knows the world needs more readers now.
People sometimes ask if I read a piece about myself or my work and the answer is always, “No.” When I was a young novelist, my editor advised me against reading my reviews or profiles, good or bad. Eventually I understood the wisdom of this.
I read emails from readers and constituents. I read blogs by readers and writers. I might read a tweet, but I do not read reviews or any other kind of press if I’m the subject. This is a good rule for artists and public officials. Never read about yourself. If you slip, which happens, you won’t learn anything about yourself or your work. You’ll only learn about the person writing about you.
As Anais Nin noted, “We don’t see things as they are, but as we are.”
