Frequently Asked Questions
Sequels?
It’s complicated. You’ll be the first to know.
Hmph. Well, do Parz and Tilda ever get married? What about Perrotte and Sand? WHAT ABOUT DRAGOS?
The beauty of not having a sequel is that you-the-reader get to decide. Personally, I think Parz likes Judith that way more than he likes Tilda, and that Tilda will end up marrying for the best of Alder Brook–and that will be okay, because there’s no way Horrible, Parz and Judith will let her marry someone solely for the benefit of Alder Brook— they’ll make sure it’s someone who is at least a decent person that likes her and could love her and vice versa. Besides which, Curschin would eat anyone who treated Tilda badly.
As for Sand and Perrotte–the odds are definitely against them from status alone, but if there ever were an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object… well, I wouldn’t get between them, if that’s what they ended up wanting. And about Dragos. Yeah. About that guy…
What’s all that stuff Curschin says in Handbook? What language is that?
It is an adaptation of Hildegard of Bingen’s “unknown language.” Yes, the Hildegard in my world becomes a Wyrmgloss.
Am I old enough to read your short stories?
In the grand scheme of your life, I’m just a writer whose work you might read. I don’t have any context for your life, and I don’t know the rules in your family. (Presumably if you are asking this, you are not an adult.) Most importantly, I’m not you! I have no idea what you are ready to read. My personal feelings about “old enough” are entirely beside the point. But this is where you may need an adult (a teacher or a librarian or a guardian) to assist you, and where I will also try to provide some content warnings soon (May 2023 is when I wrote that! Hold me to account).
Is your writing suitable for my child to read?
This would be a great time to consult a librarian or a teacher. Also, see above.
Will you read my ___?
Mostly, I cannot. There are many reasons, but the most pressing one is time. I have my own books, plus a regular dayjob at my library, plus a family/house/clay cats.
I do make some critiques available every year for a fee, to compensate some of the time it takes to give a critique.
But there are lots of other ways to get feedback! If you’re serious about writing, here are some options:
For younger writers, there are many workshops, conferences, and opportunities, including 826 chapters and the National Novel Writing Month Young Writers Program.
Google is your friend. Add your state to the search string, and you may find something great.
Consider joining or starting a story-sharing or critique group. I have been in many writers groups throughout the years, both in-person and online.
Your local library probably has some ideas for you. Just ask a librarian.
The hardest but most honest feedback, especially for a short story writer, is the kind you get when you send your work out to editors. But, as a person who does not like rejection, I have to say, this is an advanced move. Prepare yourself for it.
Will you blurb my book? Or give me a review?
I would be delighted to give a blurb… to a book I like. And I typically only review random things that delight me or infuriate me, and on my own time. That said:
For traditionally published books, all blurb and review requests must come from editors/publishers/agents/PR folks, not authors directly. Please send these requests to tradblurbs - at - merriehaskell.com.
This is for a number of reasons:
1) I am pretty pressed for time, so I can’t always help out.
2) I won’t like every book I am asked to blurb or review.
It is much easier/less awkward to say I don’t have time/I don’t like the book to the editor/publisher than to the author directly.
For indie books: I know you’re in a different situation, and if you wanted to send a request through a third-party representing you, it would likely be money out of your pocket. If you are convinced your book is in my wheelhouse and you absolutely believe that my blurb would be meaningful for the kind of readers you want, you may request directly to indieblurbs - at - merriehaskell.com. Just keep in mind the answer is still pretty likely to be no, and you may receive a form letter response, depending on how many of these end up in my inbox.
Will you donate a copy of your book to my worthy cause?
Probably not. I already have a number of donations on my docket. I possess finite amounts of time, money, and books, alas. However, you can always email donations - at - merriehaskell.com — but please note I am more likely to donate to classrooms and libraries in underfunded districts.