Walter and Blake are two writers having a conversation at a cafe.
Walter: How’s your book doing?
Blake: Good. It’s got some reviews. And Sarah, she’s been really supportive.
Walter: She has?
Blake: Yeah. A five star review, promoting Lost Millennial Hope on her Instagram. She really likes my book, I just never expected this.
Walter: Sarah didn’t read a single word of your book.
Blake: What?
Walter: She didn’t read it.
Blake: But…but why do you say that? I mean, she gave it a five star review. She said, ‘This is so great!’ With an exclamation point.
Walter rubs his face.
Walter: Okay, you’re new to this, so let me break it down for you: Sarah did not read a single fucking word of your book. She glanced at the blurb, and maybe, maybe skimmed the first couple pages. Then she made up some ‘nice’ things to say, slathered it all in bullshit and created her review.
Blake: That’s just…
Walter: She has deemed you useful. She thinks you can be of use to her. Plus, you’re a male writer.
Blake: What does that have to do with anything?
Walter: She’s a housewife who only supports other women writers. Or did. Come to think of it, I can’t recall a single male writer she’s ever supported. So in your case, you ought to be extra-suspicious of her motives.
Blake: I just…I don’t think so.
Walter: Let me ask you something. Are you going to review her book?
Blake: Yeah.
Walter: Are you actually going to read it?
Blake: Of course.
Walter: Why? If you’re going to review someone’s book, why in the hell would you waste time reading it?
