Authors Behaving Badly.....

It's a subject that crops up around the blogs I read every now and then, most notably after a conference or an event (i. e. selling ARCs on eBay) which slams into the publishing world head-on. Usually, authors who "behave badly" are labeled as such for speaking their mind(s), defending their opinions, or the like.

But what about authors who behave badly...during the editing phase?

I've been fortunate enough to be e-published 3 times. Wait, let me back up. When I write something, I struggle with it. When I submit it, I want whatever I wrote to be the best it can possible be. That's probably why I don't write drafts upon drafts upon drafts. I would also like to think that I'm open-minded enough to take constructive criticism. I always listen to what my editors have suggested; whether I take that suggestion is another post for another time.

As an editor, I like to think of my edits as suggestions or guidelines (insert Geoffrey Rush Pirates of the Caribbean quote now). I'm always willing to talk or discuss anything that I've commented on or taken away. I didn't write it; it's not my baby. But, I'm trying to do my dead-level best to make sure everything is as near perfect as it can be.

I put myself into the writer's shoes (which might be bad) and ask myself how I would feel reading these edits. Is that too nice? I'm not sure yet....

If you're an editor or publisher, how do you deal with authors behaving badly, even before their book is available? Is there a limit to your patience? Is there a point when you become fightin' mad?

And finally, is it okay to down a bottle of merlot before you start this author's edits?