an interesting coincidence that you sent me your book. You have no way of knowing this, but I have always had a dream of doing more work in Europe, particularly with your specialty, the artwork of your homeland from the 1 st Century to the 7 th . Your writing is such a pleasure to read also -- your voice comes through so clearly with that distinctive touch of humor that makes even what some of my less inspired students would insist were the driest details interesting.
Obviously you are familiar with my book, “Art from the Shadows: the Mystical Mind of the Mayan Revealed” – I would love to hear more of your thoughts on it. Of course, we diverge in some interests, as I also specialize in the languages of the ancient peoples while you are more proficient in your evaluation of sculpture than I, but I would be honored to hear your expert opinion in more detail.
I hope I am not overreaching to suggest that we might join forces on a project in your region? I have been saving up for a trip for some time and my publisher is waiting for my latest book proposal. Perhaps they will be willing to offer a more generous advance, especially if you would be interested in co-writing this project?
Enclosed is a copy of my book proposal, which I trust you will keep in confidence if you find this project does not suit you. If you are interested, please feel free to tweak it and add your own touch. I look forward to hearing from you and I hope that the future will find us working more closely.
Respectfully yours,
Dr. Rachel Floyd
Rachel waited for an answer with her fingers crossed, hoping she had taken the right tone with this somewhat mysterious Englishman. She was thrilled that he had contacted her, even as she had been preparing her proposal with an eye to approaching him. She had done a bit of research on the internet on him before sending her proposal and found that he was quite an elusive creature – no photos of him anywhere, no Facebook or website blogs. It wasn't that much of a surprise that there was no picture of him on the jacket of his book, considering the publisher – it was a quite prestigious British house and the type of work that was expected to stand entirely on its intellectual merit, not the hype of an already famous or highly charismatic author – but when it came to an internet presence, everything on him was second-hand, as if he were some mythological creature whose existence was only suspected and never confirmed.
She was not disappointed when she found his answer three weeks later, on her desk. She nearly whooped with glee when she saw the thicker envelope, knowing he had accepted and offered his revisions. Opening it, she found it was a hand written cover letter on University stationary along with a hard copy of the revised proposal.
Dr. Rollin Ambrose had a flowing, almost calligraphic hand throughout his letter, not just in the note in his book, autographed for posterity.
January 25 th , 2010
Dear Dr. Rachel Floyd:
I have your letter and proposal in hand and I have to say, I am quite flattered that you took the time to write me a real missive, not just zip off an e-mail with an attachment as my students are so fond of doing.
As for your book, I do, indeed, find it to be fascinating and well-thought out. I would be more than honored to work with you on your next project and therefore I will save my more detailed observations on your past accomplishments for meeting you in person, where you may also more fully enjoy my dry wit. That is, of course, if you can tolerate my computer intolerance and will continue to show appreciation for my brilliance and my sense of humor...
I hope you approve of my additions to the proposal but if not, tough. It's on paper.
No, seriously, feel free to share your editorial notes as well to the attachment my assistant is sending by e-mail. And please, my dear colleague and co-author, feel free to call me Rollin.
Humbly yours,
Rollin
Rachel
Obviously you are familiar with my book, “Art from the Shadows: the Mystical Mind of the Mayan Revealed” – I would love to hear more of your thoughts on it. Of course, we diverge in some interests, as I also specialize in the languages of the ancient peoples while you are more proficient in your evaluation of sculpture than I, but I would be honored to hear your expert opinion in more detail.
I hope I am not overreaching to suggest that we might join forces on a project in your region? I have been saving up for a trip for some time and my publisher is waiting for my latest book proposal. Perhaps they will be willing to offer a more generous advance, especially if you would be interested in co-writing this project?
Enclosed is a copy of my book proposal, which I trust you will keep in confidence if you find this project does not suit you. If you are interested, please feel free to tweak it and add your own touch. I look forward to hearing from you and I hope that the future will find us working more closely.
Respectfully yours,
Dr. Rachel Floyd
Rachel waited for an answer with her fingers crossed, hoping she had taken the right tone with this somewhat mysterious Englishman. She was thrilled that he had contacted her, even as she had been preparing her proposal with an eye to approaching him. She had done a bit of research on the internet on him before sending her proposal and found that he was quite an elusive creature – no photos of him anywhere, no Facebook or website blogs. It wasn't that much of a surprise that there was no picture of him on the jacket of his book, considering the publisher – it was a quite prestigious British house and the type of work that was expected to stand entirely on its intellectual merit, not the hype of an already famous or highly charismatic author – but when it came to an internet presence, everything on him was second-hand, as if he were some mythological creature whose existence was only suspected and never confirmed.
She was not disappointed when she found his answer three weeks later, on her desk. She nearly whooped with glee when she saw the thicker envelope, knowing he had accepted and offered his revisions. Opening it, she found it was a hand written cover letter on University stationary along with a hard copy of the revised proposal.
Dr. Rollin Ambrose had a flowing, almost calligraphic hand throughout his letter, not just in the note in his book, autographed for posterity.
January 25 th , 2010
Dear Dr. Rachel Floyd:
I have your letter and proposal in hand and I have to say, I am quite flattered that you took the time to write me a real missive, not just zip off an e-mail with an attachment as my students are so fond of doing.
As for your book, I do, indeed, find it to be fascinating and well-thought out. I would be more than honored to work with you on your next project and therefore I will save my more detailed observations on your past accomplishments for meeting you in person, where you may also more fully enjoy my dry wit. That is, of course, if you can tolerate my computer intolerance and will continue to show appreciation for my brilliance and my sense of humor...
I hope you approve of my additions to the proposal but if not, tough. It's on paper.
No, seriously, feel free to share your editorial notes as well to the attachment my assistant is sending by e-mail. And please, my dear colleague and co-author, feel free to call me Rollin.
Humbly yours,
Rollin
Rachel
Similar Books
Max and the Prince
R. J. Scott
Lilith - TI3
Fran Heckrotte
How to Wash a Cat
Rebecca M. Hale
The Ruse
Jonas Saul
Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone
Dene Low
The Weight of the World
Amy Leigh Strickland
Arguably: Selected Essays
Christopher Hitchens
Yuletide Immortal (The Immortal Chronicles Book 4)
Gene Doucette
