INfusion 47 ebook - Summer 2012 - NMIT

INfusion 47
Warm regards,
George Nagelmackers
Publisher, Windmill Books
From: dev074@fastmail.com.au
To: kathy@windmillbooks.com.au
CC: publisher@windmillbooks.com.au
Subject: The Bourgeois Collective
Dear Kathy,
* * *
Just touching base; George said to contact you directly — he sounds very busy,
the Frankfurt Book Fair must have been exhausting. I was wondering if you
have had a chance to review the manuscript yet? I know it has only been three
weeks (twenty-three days, to be exact) so please excuse my impatience, but I
haven’t really worked with an editor before and am very keen to receive professional
feedback.
I’m really looking forward to working together on this.
Regards,
Devin
* * *
From: kathy@windmillbooks.com.au
To: dev074@fastmail.com.au
Subject: M/s
Dear Devin,
Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you earlier but we had three books going to print
so we were all very busy. I’ve almost finished reading the m/s but perhaps it is
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Summer Edition ‘12
best that we wait until I finish it completely before I pass on my suggestions.
Maybe you could drop by the office sometime next week? Say, Friday 1:30pm? I
will be able to provide more direction on the ms then.
Cheers,
Kathy
Senior Editor, Windmill Books
From: dev074@fastmail.com.au
To: kathy@windmillbooks.com.au
CC: publisher@windmillbooks.com.au
Subject: Revisions
Hi Kathy,
* * *
It was interesting to read your comments on the manuscript, although some
of your handwriting was a little difficult to understand and you sure seem to
spill a lot of coffee. I must admit I was shocked by the scale of the revisions
you’ve suggested. Do you really think the whole of Part One needs to go? It
seems to me that the backstory of Frank’s relationship with Matilda is central
to the narrative; if the reader doesn’t know their history then they won’t
understand their actions and conversations in Part Two. I guess it is just a
little confronting receiving such direct, professional — and very constructive
— criticism. It’s great though. I see an editor as a helicopter surveying the
whole literary landscape while the author is crouched in a cave with a pen.
I think you are probably right about the character of Jeff. He doesn’t add a lot
to the story — it’s a little sad, but I’ll snuff him out.
I have taken six weeks off work (I’m an arts teacher at the local TAFE) so I can
devote myself to fixing up the manuscript and incorporating your suggestions.
I will email you my revisions when they are done. Would you like them