Comments for 26 - an association and group for writers, editors and language consultants

Comment on Three ways to… say no to a client by Shano

Shano — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:10:58 +0000

You mean, I can’t just say, “No! No! No!”

(Kidding.)

Thanks for the info, Martin. Equitable is a word that comes to mind.

Your caveat in 1, however, has burned me many a time, thus my acronym: TNT! (Trust no takers!”).

Also even-handed is your point 2. But when your replacement does so good a job that your client is loathe to override her work (in fact, your replacement need only do a comparable job), then you’re in trouble. If you then call shotgun, you don’t look like such a nice person — suggesting someone good to fill the gap, only to try to muscle in after the fact. TNT!

Point 3 is genius – time discounting… I love it. But use it wisely. You may be forced to lower your rates more than you think… “Time discounting” is a phenomenon whereby a desirable result in the future is thought LESS valuable than the same result NOW (for those who don’t know). It can be hard to make your discount attractive to someone psychologically programmed to be suspicious of future values (who knows why we’re like this). Getting 100 euros now is, for most people, better than getting 100 euros in three month’s time. (In fact, 75 euros right now is more attractive than 100 euros in the future.) So it can work against you. (There’s also the growth market principle whereby a growing market makes things less pricey – supplies are more available – so your client’s future business might expect cheaper rates anyway, leaving you exposed.)

What can I add?

You say reciprocity is the best defence. In my experience (and at the risk of sounding controversial), I would put it another way: have your clients owe you – always.

Comment on Calling all poets from a 26 exile in NYC by mike benson

mike benson — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:22:36 +0000

Hey guys

Thanks for posting this.
Just to be clear, I’m not a Berliner. My company is called Berliner Benson. It’s a partnership between Claire Berliner and I. I’m actually a Glaswegian.

I would love to invite 26 members to participate in the project – those of you who are poets. There have been quite a few requests and we’d be very grateful if any quality writers want to lend a writer’s hand.

Thanks, Mike Benson

Comment on The child inside – another treasure trail by Mike Reed

Mike Reed — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:23:45 +0000

I’m in, John. If there’s room. Lovely idea. I was born in 1970, but will need a little longer to think about the most precious object…

Comment on Favourite children’s book vox pop by Andy Hayes

Andy Hayes — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:12:08 +0000

The Mr Gum series is an Electric Kool Aid Acid Test for ten year olds.

Comment on 121 with John Simmons and Jamie Jauncey by richard pelletier

richard pelletier — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:16:08 +0000

Feedback by Billy Collins

The women
who wrote from Phoenix
after my reading there
to tell me they were
all still talking about it,
just wrote again
to tell me
that they had stopped.

Comment on Holiday companion vox pop – August 2011 by Robert Mighall

Robert Mighall — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:18:17 +0000

John gets the prize for my money. Beautiful ironic inversion economically invoked.

Comment on Holiday reading vox pop – July 2011 by Jim

Jim — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:52:45 +0000

Actually forget Roxy and Bob Marley (admirable though they are). I’ve just got hold of ‘Life’ by Keith Richards. Sunbedtastaic.

Comment on Holiday reading vox pop – July 2011 by andy hayes

andy hayes — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:41:07 +0000

‘Ordinary Thunderstorms’ by William Boyd for me. Every day I see the opening page on Kindle ads, tempting me to read it. I’ve had it a few months now. Bought it off a lovely old lady with whiskers at Teddington Lock collecting for the RNLI. 50p. A bargain. That’ll pay for half a tot of rum, probably.

Comment on Editors edited by Gillian Colhoun

Gillian Colhoun — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 13:45:58 +0000

A word of thanks to Jim and Nick for doing such a brilliant job. Over the years, the arrival of the 26 newsletter has always been a welcome distraction in my inbox. Particularly in moments when the drawers in my brain labelled ‘ideas & inspiration’ were looking especially sparse. And good luck to Elen and Anna. Your efforts are much appreciated.

Comment on Write better, not more by Martin

Martin — Thu, 26 May 2011 09:33:17 +0000

At the risk of sounding like a ‘fanboy’ Tom, that’s a splendid, insightful, honest and affirming piece.

Thanks….again.

Martin