Panel--Professional Criticism: How to Receive It and What to Do with It...

This panel consisted of Arthur Levine (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic), Elizabeth Parisi (Scholastic Art Executive Art Director), Mark McVeigh (who just left Dutton for Aladdin) and Krista Marino (Delacorte).

Getting a face-to-face critique can be a truly nervous-making experience. So what advice did this panel have for those about to spend half and hour with an editor discussing their manuscripts? In a nutshell:

• Be open minded.
• Think of yourself as an equal with the editor (hard as that may be).
• Don't argue with the editors about what they say about your work; don't get defensive. Ask questions instead.
  
• Don't be mean.
• Listen and take notes.
• Think about it as a business meeting. It's not about social interaction.
• Remember that a critique is meant to help, not hurt. It's about focusing on strengths and how to improve them.