{
  "id": 9549503,
  "title": "I’m Having a Hard Time Saying No: How Can I Be More of a Literary Asshole?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/im-having-a-hard-time-saying-no-how-can-i-be-more-of-a-literary",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T11:15:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Literary Hub",
    "slug": "literary-hub",
    "url": "https://lithub.com/im-having-a-hard-time-saying-no-how-can-i-be-more-of-a-literary-asshole/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Greetings, dear reader! You've stumbled upon the finest gathering in town, none other than Am I the Literary Asshole? , my very own advice column. I am your gracious host, Kristen Arnett, and I assure you that we're not taking this too seriously, but we are taking a lime-filled vodka-cran with a touch of seasonality - just remember, keep those stylish jackets and sweaters on! I'm sure the temperature outside is feeling the fall vibes too.\n\nNow, let's dive into today's inquiries. First up, I'm feeling quite frustrated by the constant emphasis on reader-focused advice in writing guidance. It feels as though most of it is geared towards avoiding certain elements that readers apparently despise, or it's all about what readers crave or what's trending with them. I find this to be quite disheartening. Firstly, it reduces readers to a mere collective. Secondly, it transforms the relationship between writers and readers into a producer/consumer dynamic. Lastly, I'm convinced that whenever a substantial number of people disapprove of a book, it's more likely due to marketing mishaps or a lack of skill, rather than readers outright disliking the content.\n\nNow, don't fret! I believe you're not wrong to feel this way. It can be disconcerting to think about writing from the perspective of how something might be received by others, rather than simply creating something from a place of genuine curiosity. When we start a project, whether it's an essay, a short story, a poem, a novel, or even a script, we must remember that we are creating art for ourselves. The ultimate goal is to bring our unique vision to life and share it with the world. It's a private dialogue between you and the page. Not everyone operates under the same mindset, so it's vital to choose the voices you listen to when it comes to art and its creation.\n\nFinally, I have a friend who is researching a book and wants advice on publishers. A woman whose husband spent the pandemic writing her family history is looking for help finding an agent. There are emails with novel drafts attached, and a coffee date that turned into an opportunity to share an unedited essay and ask for feedback. These requests are sincere, but they often feel extravagant and detached from the reality of how writing works. This typically involves years of self-teaching, thorough internet research, occasional paid classes, and working with friends at similar stages.\n\nThe key is to maintain a clear plan of action for these types of scenarios. You are a kind and generous person, and that's a beautiful trait. However, it's essential to remember that you have a limited amount of time on this Earth, and you can't spend all of it helping others. Focus on finding a balance that works for you, and remember that your worth as an artist is not determined by the number of people seeking your advice.",
  "summary": "Well, hello there! Welcome back, friends. You’ve arrived at the very best destination in town. That’s right, everyone’s partying at Am I the Literary Asshole?, an advice column that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but DOES take a wedge of",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}