In reality there is no kind of evidence or argument by…

There's no literary merit in my books.

— Clive Cussler

A critical assumption is sometimes made that [Grisham, Clancey, Crichton & myself] have access to some mystical vulgate that other (and often better) writers…

— Stephen King

...book-buyers aren't attracted, by and large, by the literary merits of a novel: book-buyers want a good story...something that will first fascinate them, then…

— Stephen King

A man of letters, merely by reading a phrase, can estimate exactly the literary merit of its author.

— Marcel Proust

There is no test of literary merit except survival, which is itself an index to majority opinion.

— George Orwell

They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, 'Can he name a kitten?'

— Samuel Butler

They say the test of [literary power] is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, "Can he name a kitten?" And by…

— Samuel Butler

“There’s plenty of serious stuff that works to cord the muscles of literary merit. But”

— Michael Robotham

“There’s nothing more important than literary merit, and that’s why I not only created an award—the Julius Caesar Author of the Year Award—but I…

— Jarod Kintz

It's hard to judge literary merit.

— Henry Rollins

Truth is, every writer has to be a good editor, and you have to edit yourself. It's a skill every writer has to acquire.

— Lisa Scottoline

“One ought not to fall in love with someone by way of their writing. One must be especially careful if the writing is good,…

— Jane Juska

Being a writer is a good, good thing.

— Shannon Hale

You can't be a good writer without being a good thinker.

— Andy Rooney

“Honestly,” he says, “I judge writers on how they write queries. If you’re a good writer, you’re a good writer.” And if not, then…

— Keith Gessen