by David Horowitz
Many writers fear rejection by peers and publications. This is natural enough. And of itself rarely damages others' careers.
But some writers fear other writers.. They fear looking outdone. It's the "Mirror, mirror, on the wall" syndrome. Others' talent could diminish one's own chances of becoming a famous immortal. I've seen a poet denigrate another's book — one he likes — to better sell his own. As a publisher, I hear complaints equivalent to: If you won't publish my book, why should I support anything you publish, even if it is good? A poet told me one of his teachers, also a poet, expressed jealous disappointment that a journal had accepted several of the student's poems. I've heard of literary researchers hiding library books to hinder rivals and of established poets working back channels to prevent a peer from finding a willing publisher.
While writers are often mutually supportive, witnessing even a few instances of authorial spite can be really discouraging. Of course, we can all feel envy and offend peers. We needn't, however, overindulge envy's impulsive desire to undermine. We can confront and try to conquer our own envy. Don't fear being outdone: congratulate others' talent. If you can't, at least don't undermine it. Accepting others' talent liberates us to improve.
During my first semester in graduate school, I studied Chaucer's satirical Parliament of Fowls. During one class I noted Chaucer's implicit hope that people can regard each other as resources, not rivals. Indeed, I recently attended a poetry reading featuring two famous poets. During a conversation with one of them at the post-performance reception, I referred to an anthology I'd published. "I'd love to see it," he remarked. In my satchel I had a copy and showed it to him. He bought the book. "If we don't buy each other's books," he said, "we're doomed." He reminded me that even famous, successful writers can be considerate. My anthology was a resource to him –and I was not a rival.