For those sadistic souls out there who’d like to witness writers weeping and gnashing their teeth as their works are eviscerated, the editors of Bad Idea magazine will be hosting The Butcher’s Shop on November 27 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Old Operating Theatre Museum in London.

Here’s the description of the event:

“Short stories submitted by guests are dissected, chopped up, and improved through an intensive process of live editing and debate. Along with an audience of 50 other writers, discuss and argue with Bad Idea‘s editors as they place your writing on a 19th century operating table—projected onto a big screen—and go to work removing inefficiencies, excising flabby adjectives and probing narrative structure, involving attendees in a dramatic ‘theatre-in-the-round’ exploration of the writing craft.”

The good news is that there’s an open bar and the admission price includes complimentary cocktails and gifts from Hendrick’s Gin and Fentimans’ Botanically Brewed Beverages. The less-good news is that all stories submitted to be edited at the event must be under 350 words.

While I can understand the need to deal with short passages in order for the audience to watch the text being edited up on the screen, I’d much rather see editors at work on sections from longer works instead of improving a piece of flash fiction.

Still, I’d be buying my ticket right now if not for the fact that November 27 is Thanksgiving. Oh, and the fact that the event is taking place on the other side of the globe.

But if any of you reading this happen to live in London (and therefore don’t have to slaughter a turkey that day) and decide to attend, I’d love to hear how it went!