On 3/25/26 16:10, Terrence Fugate wrote:
> I wasn't trying to go OT about Campbell directly, just wondering how
> extensive Campbell's editing was. I wonder if Piper complied with
> 'suggestion' out of "I need to sell this story" or, "Darn, sure wish I
> had a better education."
> Writing is hard work, harder if you don't have all the necessary tools.
> Piper was largely self taught, which avoids indoctrination by the system...
>
> I've wondered for some time if Piper, while proud of avoiding college,
> didn't in someway regret not attending.
>
> But, I wonder if this exchange was at least a bit autobiographical

I submitted one (1) story to a magazine ever. It was rejected (Of course)

The goal was to sell it.  Period.  End of discussion.  If they'd asked
me to change anything or everything about it, I'd have done that to make
the sale.

I'd have kept the original version on my HD.

But if I am writing for you and you're giving me money to do it, then
you're the client and I am keeping you happy.

Unless you want "The Turner Diaries" or "The Camp of the Saints" - then
you're on your own.

HBP was a working man.  You work hard for your money.  If its digging a
ditch or stacking up words, you work hard and then (hopefully) you get paid.

I used to really love John Campbell's biases and directions.  Campbell
and his guys Including HBP flavored my thinking for a long time.

In retrospect,  I think Campbell is sort of flat, shallow and un nuanced.

But if Campbell wants me to write him a story about a Doc Savage clone
who conquers aliens worlds, and he's putting cash on the dash, then set
your square jaw and flex your steely sinews cause that's where we're going!

Your goal when you write is to write the best story you can.  When it's
your job you write the best thing you can that will get you paid.

Campbell's goal is to sell magazines - that means he has to put stories
in there that his audience will pay money for and enjoy reading, so
they'll buy the next one.

Campbell thought HBP's work was worth paying money for. I Hope HBP knew
what that meant.  It meant that we were on the other sides of the
transaction, money in hand saying "More please"