Now you know what's on their mind

What serious writer hasn't wondered what agents and editors want or what are they thinking?  I can distinctly recall many times sitting with the members of my critique group and trying to read between the lines of the rejection letter in question, wondering just what the agent or editor meant by "while your writing has merit, I don't think I'm the one to best represent your work." or some similar phrase.  In such situations someone in the group sighs and ponders, "If I only knew what they were thinking when they wrote this rejection letter."

With the advent of social media and its embrace by agents and editors, writers now have more of an insight into what agents and editors are looking for.  I'm finding it very refreshing and helpful to read their blog postings and twitters.  Social media is more intimate and agents and editors are very candid in their postings.  If writers are wise, they will study these postings.  They are telling us how to approach them and what they want--it's up to us to listen.  

Am I the Kind to Kindle?

A while ago I wrote an article in Northern Connection magazine, where I am the Executive Editor, wondering if I would like a Kindle.  Well, I recently purchased one and am reading my first book on it.  I love books and I have this feeling while I'm reading that I'm doing something evil like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa.  The ability to publish and purchase books was such a leap for humanity, I feel as if I've turned my back on books.  Did those in previous decades experience such anxiety when they made the switch from hand-copied manuscripts to the printing press?