The Barrie Group of Publishers (Barrie Books Ltd) Directors: Hon. AG Samuel (Chairman) L A Ullstein (Managing) J Bunting TEagle EGodfrey JPattisson BUllstein RWadleigh
Barrie & Rockliff
2 Clement's Inn
The Cresset Press Strand
London WC2
Herbert Jenkins Telephone: 01-242 9171
Cables: Barricliff London
Hammond Hammond
M. Rowdon, Esq.,
28th November, 1967.
49 Waldron Road,
London S.W.18.
Dear Maurice,
Thank you very much for your letter. WAITING FOR MELLI sounds very
interesting. I don't know of course how far you have got with it and simply
on a few lines of description I might have got the whole thing wrong. I
think I should, though, raise one faint warning noise. Whether we like it or
not, the book trade is pretty conservative and is occasionally a bit reluctant
to abandon its long held classifications. Novels are novels, autobiographies
are autobiographies and travel books are travel books. A combination of these
is apt to throw it into a state of jitters and dismay, from which the easiest
way out is not to buy it. Of course any rule can be broken triumphantly if
the book itself is outstanding enough, and I most certainly don't want to
discourage you from breaking new ground and doing something original. I am
just making warning noises in case we have to talk in much the same way when
the manuscript arrives. If in fact the book is a personal record, might it
not be simpler to make it just that and drop the fictional approach altogether?
You may of course have perfectly valid reasons but what you have to say may well
be of sufficient interest to stand on its own feet without being supported by
a fictional prop.
The third volume of the Italian trilogy also sounds interesting,
particularly in view of the reviews of the first two volumes. But the Gollancz
angle raises a question in my mind. Are you allowed to offer it to us? The
other point is a little delicate but I feel I know you well enough to be frank:
has it in fact already been offered to Gollancz?
I am very glad about your two forthcoming books from Collins and Weidenfeld
and I hope they are very successful. I do hope this letter does not sound
over-cautious and discouraging - that is the last impression I want to make
and I am keenly looking forward to the next manuscript from you. Any time you
feel like a drink, do give me a ring.
Yours,
Richard
Richard Wadleigh
RW/ak
Cc: LAU
CCML