Status Updates From Imagining Canadian Literatu...

To Phyllis Webb, about a book whose manuscript was not rejected, but not quite accepted, by M&S:
“I think it’s a delightful book in every way. And yes, you bitch, I have noted the reviews.”

These letters are gold
To Hugh Hood:
“In closing, I can’t help suggesting to you that unless you plan to open your own publishing house, you refrain from writing too many letters to publishers of the sort that you have sent to me.”

think one of my fav things about this book is the letters to & from leonard cohen that culminate in mclelland telling cohen to stop being so egotistical & presumptuous about the way the publishing industry works. ALSO leonard cohen appears to have had the humblebrag down in the early stages of his career. (BUT I think he knew more early on than jack gave him credit for.) I LOVE THIS BOOK!

I've got no head for fiction right now so I'm re-reading this. I love what it says about publishing. I love how, as the business evolves, so do my reads of it. I love this guy and I love his letters to Margaret Atwood and Leonard Cohen and their responses! I love this book.

"We're now publishing books freely with all the four-letter words." - J.M. to Mordecai Richler, 1962

Eff, I love this book. Jack McClelland wrote up to 20 letters a day. Editors before email.