Editors Take Credit When It Isn’t Due

Thank you for printing Gore Vidal’s comments on the state of publishing and the real dynamic of author-editor relationships in today’s world (“Vidal’s War of Words With Editor Continues,” Sept. 18). As an author who has suffered the ego and sloth of a so-called “well-known and highly respected editor,” I can well attest to the veracity of Mr. Vidal’s assertions. With few exceptions, the Jason Epsteins of this world do nothing for the authors they represent but pass the manuscript along to the copy editor, take credit when the book succeeds and claim “I knew it all along” if it fails.

GINA NAHAI

Beverly Hills

Gina Nahai is the author of the novels “Cry of the Peacock” and “Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith.”