: Re: What are the benefits of being a slush reader? I've heard a few people recommend doing time volunteering as a slush reader (for a small press magazine, say), as the experience can be helpful

@Smith147

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The pros-

You get a sense, really fast -- of what works and what doesn't
You see all the stupid mistakes writers make when they submit and get a pretty clear idea of what not to do
Reading a lot just makes you a better writer in the long run

The cons-

It can be laborious. It's fun to read a really great submission. It's hell to slog through a 50,000 word piece of trash.
You have to be careful about reading when you're also actively writing and developing. Any publisher that accepts on spec should make it clear that the submitter is waiving the right to sue over copyright, but you don't want to get slapped with a suit somewhere down the road because you wrote something similar to something someone once submitted and you read.

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