Chapter 23 Editorial Correspondence
Editorial Correspondence
From: William Corwyn
To: Jayne Wetzel
Dear Jayne,
How are you, my dear? I’m writing from Brattleboro, where, as you know if you’ve been keeping up with my travels, I’m keynoting
at a literary festival. The organizers have put me in a B holiday sales are around the corner.
Looking forward as ever, dear.
William.
From: Jayne Wetzel
To: William Corwyn
Date: October 15
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Hey Billy! Great to hear from you. Congrats on being in the home stretch. Man, we put you through the wringer with this one.
I’m surprised you’re still standing. We’ve all been applauding your progress. I’ve been joking we should create a William
Corwyn Tracker like the Santa app.
It’d be a treat to have you here, we’d roll out the red carpet, but don’t feel the need to add to your mileage. Why don’t
you go home and get some sleep and we can discuss your idea via videoconference or the old-fashioned way, phone. I’m sure
whatever you’ve come up with is phenom. Can’t wait to hear. Call me early next week.
Love,
Jayne
From: William Corwyn
To: Jayne Wetzel
Date: October 15
Time: 11:20 a.m.
My dear, you talk as though I’m some old geezer who’s unable to get out of bed without assistance.
I assure you it’s the opposite: My tour has galvanized me, and much as I yearn to be home writing, I’d be delighted to shake a few more hands, sign a few more books, and most of all see you. Thursday? That would be best for me.
P.S. Let me know, please, about the 92nd St. Y.
From: William Corwyn
To: Jayne Wetzel
Date: October 15
Time: 12:45 p.m.
Dear, did you receive my last message?
From: Jayne Wetzel
To: William Corwyn
Date: October 15
Time: 1:45 p.m.
Hi Billy, yes, sorry, I was at lunch. You know that’s where editors do most of our business. I’ll check availability at the
Y. I’m sure they’d be glad to have you back, but they usually book out well in advance, and you did read there last year,
so their audience might be saturated. Maybe the Strand? With only a week’s notice I can’t promise, but I’ll ask. And again,
I can’t wait to hear what your brilliant Billy brain has come up with for this next one.
X J.
From: William Corwyn
To: Jayne Wetzel
Date: October 15
Time: 1:48 p.m.
Hi Jayne, it’s hard for me to believe an audience might be saturated from one prior event a year ago, but if it’s too much of a hassle for you to arrange, I can skip the reading.
I do think it’s imperative for me to talk my book idea through with you in person.
Please let me know about Thursday so I can make sure to hold the date. Thanks.
From: Jayne Wetzel
To: William Corwyn
Date: October 15
Time: 1:52 p.m.
Sure thing, but are you sure you don’t want to call or email it to me? I’m heading to Frankfurt next Friday for the book fair
(schmoozing your foreign publishers), and much as I’d love to see you, I hate to think of you coming all this way. Especially
when I’d rather think of you at your desk . . . writing.
From: William Corwyn
To: Jayne Wetzel
Date: October 15
Time: 1:58 p.m.
No, I think in person is best. Frankly, I am surprised you would even suggest email. Are you not concerned about security?
In an age when anyone could hack in and steal my idea?
I require an answer about Thursday, if you can fit me in before your trip.
From: Jayne Wetzel
To: William Corwyn
Date: October 15
Time: 2:03 p.m.
Thursday lunch is wunderbar. See you then.