I've written to the editor in the past, and once or twice they've even published my letters-to-the-editor. So today, I read Stephanie Zacharek's review of "Sin City" and decided to stop stewing about their sub-par critics, and sound off. I've sent more praise than complaints in the past, and generally believe that reader/user feedback is important to improvement. Further, I hesitate to raise a problem unless I can also suggest a solution. And lastly, I was pretty proud of that review of "Sin City" I just wrote myself. So, I sent their Arts And Entertainment Editor, Kerry Lauer, a letter expressing my disappointment in the quality of their criticism, and including my own review of Sin City.
Of course, I hoped that I would get a letter back getting offered a freelance writing gig. Hey, if I never try, I'll never fly. I can say I met with partial success - on one hand Ms. Lauer actually read my letter, because she did reply. On the other hand, she told me that "building myself up, while tearing others down may seem like a good idea, but actually comes across quite juvenile."
Grr. I should have stuck to the central thesis (Bad movie reviews, find better critics) and not suggested myself as a potential replacement, thus rendering my authority as suspect due to self-interest. I don't really think what I expressed was juvenile, and am disappointed it was received that way. And quite frankly, I'm going to hold my breath until she takes it back and gives me a job!
(Note: the last sentence was self-satire. This message provided for the satire-impaired)
I still hope Salon gets some better critics. The two they've got just don't cut it.
