I've been offered lucrative work, but am >x< about it ...

[WhatWouldFreddieDo]

It's editing a novel for a friend of a friend, but turns out the subject matter is sex tourism and he's intending to market it to specialist websites.

Eeeeurgh. Actually, just writing that down has pretty much made the decision for me. But the way he's describing it is that it's supposed to show how enslaved the bargirls, dancers, etc are.

but then why would anyone on those websites be interested in hearing about that??

OK, so I think I know what I'm going to do, just give me some excellent phrases to use in my refusal email

is that a cat's bum emoticon?

is he intending to market it as a 'where to be a sex tourist' guide?

And for me sex tourism/paedophilia are inextricably linked, so I just couldn't bear to be a part of it, esp. if his book is going to be promoting it

maybe that's why men like it, because the woman are enslaved?

Well exactly Lulamama (v. nice to see you!)

yes that's supposed to be cat's bum, hoiked bosom and pince nez all in one

No, I definitely can't do it.

So how shall I phrase it? 'Um, thanks for the offer, but REALLY? You wanted to write a novel and that's what you thought would contribute something to world happiness and Western literature? And you think it's healthy to try to market it to the middle-aged men on those websites??'

I would maybe be a bit more forthright, sex tourism is just grotesque... he is going to be marketing it to men who perpetuate the abuse of women and children. and boys too. therefore he is perpetuating it too , imo.

it's just grim

Absolutely, but I can't believe he's so naive not to understand he would be complicit in it all! The way he words it, it's a shocking revelation to him that such an awful system exists but why then try try to make money out of it??

Right, off to compose suitable email ... any further thoughts welcome!

It depends. Are you on benefits? If so then according to popular consensus you should do it even if it is morally repugnant and legally dubious because otherwise you are SCROUNGING and that is LIKE THE WORSTEST THING EVAR. If you're not on benefits then tell him to set it on fire and stick it up his arse. Self or 'internet specialist' published writing is all shite anyway so it's not llike anyone's losing out by it not being published.

at Wibbly.

"Thanks for considering me but I'm uncomfortable with the subject matter"

I've just sent this:

'I don?t have a problem with the subject matter up to a point, but I definitely have a problem if you?re really intending to market it through those websites (I?ve just had a brief look). Yes, those sad middle aged men on the forums would probably want to read the book, but the fact they?re on those forums surely means they take part in exactly the exploitative tourist industry that you seem so shocked by (and which, however nicely it?s dressed up and marketed, boils down to prostitution and paedophilia).

This strikes me as morally rather muddled.

So I?m sorry, but I?ll have to say no.'

too harsh?

You need to be firm when friends ask favours like this.

Not only does it sound grim, but what if you read it and it was absolutely bloody awful too?

Usually I'm very firm and refuse to read things. Just say the usual spiel of 'get an agent' (which is true anyway).

But as this was paid work it was slightly different.

But I don't need work that badly

And yes, oh mysterioushamster (I'm picturing a large hamster sitting in a nomad's tent wearing silk and a huge turban btw) a part of me slowly dies every time I work on a bad book, and that's from reputable publishers who should know better

I agree that it seems morally confused, and I'd be dubious about it as well. Could it be that he's hoping to make the men on these sites feel ashamed of themselves? In other words, he's just misguided about the effect that it would have on his intended readership?

Is he definitely going to publish the book, or just getting a kick out of you editing it?

YANBU. I was offered a lot of SEO work on a number of sites where the keywords were things like "panties" and "sexy stockings" and I just couldn't do it!

Don't go there.

TheDog, I spose it's possible but surely he can't be so naive?

Tanith, the thought crossed my mind, but it was thru a good friend, which is partly why I was so non-plussed by the whole thing.

Awkward Mary, I have learnt my lesson! again

Hmm... probably not. I was clutching at straws, really. YANBU to steer well clear. Unfortunately, he may well find a different editor and an eager market .

I think that email was absolutely fine. he's either a liar or naive. prob a liar?

(Actually for 'good' ^^ read 'old' friend)

Lulu, that was another thought, that he just wanted porn edited! No doubt he'll find a male another editor who would LOVE to do it.

yuk. hopefully you might at least have made him think a bit?

judging from his latest email, sadly not - he does seem to think that his novel might open eyes on these forums

proper weird/deluded. Luckily I can now get on with the cookbook I'm working on instead!